Hi all. I’m posting here as most of my dilemma is related to school/teaching. I’m currently on maternity leave, due back just before the Christmas holidays. My (independent) school had announced redundancies before I went on mat leave and someone in my department is being made redundant as her subject is being phased out plus the other teacher who teaches my subject is retiring so I was (am) very confident that there will be A role for me in January, albeit definitely on a lower salary. However, I’m also acting Head of Faculty and school are restructuring the middle and senior leadership teams, combining faculties and cutting roles. There is a HoF job I could apply for but it would mean taking responsibility for a core subject too which I just don’t want when returning to work with a baby and preschooler. It’s also less money than I was on before mat leave. School have said they will try to find alternative roles but nothing is guaranteed but they are offering enhanced voluntary redundancy which would give me almost full salary for 8 months from Jan and effectively mean I can extend my mat leave until dd2 is 18 months and find a new job starting next September. I teach a shortage subject so should be able to find a new job plus I’m not currently in the TPS as my school withdrew us unless we pay a portion of the employer contribution which I couldn’t afford on mat leave. So far, I think it’s a no brainier to take redundancy, have a longer mat leave and find a new school for next year.
However, there are a few things making me doubt that decision. Firstly, dh is on a temporary contact (not a teacher) due to finish next April. There may be more work available but not guaranteed so we could have no income next spring until he finds something else. Also, despite the redundancy/pension issues, my school is the nicest one in the area so I’d be looking at a worse school or a longer commute or both. I would be looking to leave in the next few years to get back into TPS but probably once both dds are at school. I currently have an easy 20min commute and dd1’s nursery is next to my current school. She starts primary next year so would be leaving anyway but I had planned on dd2 going to the same nursery, especially as they offer term time only places which saves a lot of money. The last issue is my dad’s health is currently going downhill fast and he’s waiting for a consultant appointment for possible Parkinson’s. My parents usually look after dd1 2 days a week and were expecting to do the same for dd2 but that might not be possible next year. I’m really torn. What would you do?