I was NQT last year.
Am 49, 3 kids, mum just diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was a terrible year. I asked my head to go part time (there are a few other 0.6 and 0. 8 teachers).
My NQT mentor (on 0.6) advised not to ask as HT ‘doesn’t like part time. I decided to ignore, and asked him. He said he wasn’t keen, said no, long story short, finally said yes. I am hugely grateful, but it does feel like I am beholden now, which I hate.
My poor job share is a non- class teacher who now has to cram their 5 day job into 3 days, which I feel bad about, so I do most of the planning, all the parents evenings, the IEPs, etc etc. But I get same PPA as f/t colleagues, so just see it as swings and roundabouts. And am so so so grateful not to be full time, I cannot articulate, so happy to do f/t admin.
My head said ‘you’ll just work on your days off’… but I used to work at the weekend, at least this way I see my own kids.
I really miss the money: but work/ life/ family balance much better, I realise I am in a privileged position to do this, and am very grateful.