Full time role, only want part time

[Discofish]

I applied for a job recently, the first I've applied for in years (was at my last school for 8 years- took voluntary redundancy at the end of last academic year- needed a change and was happy to spend more time at home with my little ones). I didn't expect to hear back - wasn't sure if I was still any good at applications! Anyway, I've been offered an interview; only the position is full time and on reflection I'm only wanting part time. I'm wondering whether I a) turn down the interview b) go and bring it up at interview that I'm looking for part time. I do think sometimes schools cobble together a full time table in order to get more applicants but could easily do with 0.8 or 0.6. I've never had a full timetable teaching solely my subject.

Secondary ?

I guess it depends on supply and demand.
Also, how well you come across at Interview, and how well other candidates come across at interview.

I would be surprised at a school offering to pay for a FT teacher if they didn't need a FT teacher - there are thousands of teachers who would prefer PT. But there might be ways they can work with you, if you are a strong candidate.

I have done just this. Saw a FT job advertised...rang up to ask if they would consider PT instead, so I didn't waste anyone's time with an application if the answer was no.

They said yes and I had the interview and got offered the job! It was supposed to be a fixed term contract too, but I said I wouldn't be able to accept unless it was permanent. And they gave me that too. Despite having to accept a small pay cut, I am delighted 😁

Personally, I would say go to the interview anyway. But if you don't get the job this time, or they can't offer PT, next time ring them to ask BEFORE you apply 😉

Well I expect it varies by school, but it would be completely normal at ours to apply for a FT job but then state at interview that you are seeking pt. We would always prefer .8 or .6 of the best candidate to ft of someone else, but we are a big school with lots of timetabling options. More staff are pt than ft at our school.

Ah, thanks for the replies
Yes secondary. I think in future I'll enquire beforehand but I didn't really expect to hear back- first/only post I've applied for in 8 years. I think I'll bring it up at interview- you never know! It would save them money if they don't actually need someone full time- I do think sometimes schools think they will get more applicants of they advertise full time. Thanks again

Always worth asking.
I've always asked before applying whether they would consider a part-time applicant. Responses have been "only if you apply jointly with a job-share partner", "it depends who else applies" (nobody, it turned out), "no but we're advertising a part-time post next week". (The last turned out to be more hours than I wanted, so I didn't apply, but they rang me up and asked me to interview anyway!)

My job was advertised as full time but at the interview I told them I could only commit to 4 days a week, they were fine with it and a supply comes in once a week to cover me. Go to the interview and at the end (so you’ve already hopefully made a good impression) tell them. If nothing else, it’s interview experience for you.