Applying to go part time

[Geordiebabe85]

Hi
I'm currently on mat leave and when I return id like to go part time. My HT has already said this is something he's not keen on but told me to put my request and reasons in writing.
My reasons are:
*a better work life balance.
*we have no family nearby ti help with childcare so DD will be in nursery.
*i had a very stressful pregnancy and labour and aftermath and am now suffering with PND.
*because of covid I feel like I haven't been able to do all the things I should have done on mat leave - baby classes, soft play etc and my DD has only met grandparents once and most family she still hasn't met. Id love some extra time to do those things with her.

Do these reasons sound reasonable? Can anyone suggest anything else that may help me persuade him?

They have to legally consider your request if it is for childcare reasons so you don't have to provide any more than that. They can only refuse your request for legitimate business reasons so you need to give more thought to how you can mitigate the impact on the kids. That depends on if you are primary or secondary. E.g. primary you can suggest a job share. It will be useful if there are already part timers at your school that you can point to as an example of successful part time working (and strengthen your application - if they can work part time, what are the business reasons to reject you?). Secondary you could suggest working a more flexible timetable rather than strict days off to minimise split classes.

There is a proper legal way to make the request in writing so that they have to respond in a certain timeframe. There was a sample letter on the TES forum but I can't find it now, sorry!

Thank you! I'm primary and his main issue is that it will impact on the children. There is a job share at the moment but unfortunately its not working due to personality clashes.

I have recently done my application, the head wanted reasons as to why it would benefit the school. It was very little to do with what was best for us as a family unfortunately

Your reasons need to be all about the job and how the better work life balance will enable you to give 200% when you're at work, be more productive etc etc.

Thank you. I'll try and think about how to word it. I know that if I go part time then when I'm there ill be 100% there but if I'm full time ill be worrying about my DD and wanting to leave as early as possible. Just not sure how to word that!
@leuty good luck with your application!

I'm doing a job share at the moment. My co teacher is wonderful and it's a great set up. It's not entirely plain sailing of course, but if I'd had the class on my own I would have collapsed with stress by now.
The chn have benefitted greatly with the continuity of staff - between us we already know many of the families having taught older siblings, and at this time of minimal contact/ maximum upheaval that has made a huge difference to them.

Thanks. What year do you teach? Were the parents nervous at the start?

What @Possums4evr said x 100%

The school aren't interested, at a business level about your wanting to spend time with Grandparents and go to a soft play session.
What the school / any employer wants to hear is how the school will benefit from an enthusatic teacher starting their working week on a Wednesday when everyone else is flagging a bit.

They want to hear how beneficial it is to the pupils in that class to be able to draw on the differing strengths of two individuals - you with your musical ability and your jobshare partner with their enthusiasm for PE or how, with their artistic flair balances with the fact you are able to speak, and teach French {obviously insert whatever your skill / strength / flair is here, don't go telling porkies}.

Your reasons are all about YOU.
The school isn't interested, they want to hear about how THEY can benefit.

My part-time request was denied. I was never more glad to have a reason to get out of that godawful school! I'm now an SEN teacher (part-time) for the local council with FAR less stress and workload than a mainstream class teacher. Message me if you want more info!

Thanks. I've tried to say that I'll be a better teacher if I'm part time and not worrying about DD but not sure how to word it. Feel like im saying if I'm full time I'm not up to the job.

Glad you got out! Id happily leave the school its just the stress of finding another job and starting all over again that puts me off. But I suppose long term it could be beneficial. I certainly haven't ruled it out.

OP if you message me I can send you the wording I used, if that's any help.