Teaching outside subject

[Hopscotch88]

I’ve returned to work after maternity leave last year on a part time basis (60%) to agree this I was asked to teach a subject outside my main for 2 lessons a week( a subject I have no experience in) it was all booklet work and I actually enjoyed it.

This year I have asked to increase my hours to 70% which was agreed and I was given a timetable with majority my main subject (which is a core subject) and similar of the extra subject. I was happy with this also.

Over the summer I then received an updated timetable with 2 more subjects added (1 is a tech subject I have no qualifications in and is ks4) the other is a language I haven’t studied since A level.

It seems there was a lot of unexpected departures and the options were a mess so virtually every member of staff has something extra on their timetable. My main subject is now in a minority and I’m having to spend hours teaching myself or relearning things before even planning the lessons.

I also don’t have adequate ppa within the hours I agreed so they have suggested a ppa on my day off that will be work from home.

so far I’ve spoken to deputy head in charge of timetables and he spun a web about how vital
I am, how supportive each department will be etc.

I’ve spoken to the union rep who said he would raise it, but nothing further and I’ve spoken to my school based HR person who said “will see what I can do” but nothing has come of that.

I have 3 small children and I’m just not willing to put everything into a pile of extra work and couldn’t even if I wanted as my husband works away the majority of the week so I’m mainly home alone with kids.

Where do I go next, how do I protect myself if my teaching is crap in the subjects I don’t know how to teach?

I’ve spent the evening setting a load of job alerts!

Hi there, I would definitely refuse to do the PPA on your day off. That is crazy.
I would also set your stall out about what you are willing and not willing to teach.

If you teach an option subject you may find these additions become increasingly frequent. All of the part time teaching staff I know, myself included, really get the raw end of the deal in terms of PPA, classroom and class allocation. It is so unfair and I suspect that it wouldn’t be acceptable in the private sector. Nevertheless, us part timers are so grateful to be part time that we often rationalise it to ourselves as ‘we’re lucky to be part time’.

You could also speak directly to your union if the rep is not having much success. It sounds a bit like trapped timetabling (you can look this up). However, I would be tempted to go and speak directly to the Head.

Good Luck

Thanks, @Zaccat1 I teach a core subject where almost every other school is crying out for staff!

I think my best option is to go, I’ve just had a sign in sheet for some training with my name incorrect on it. So I’m clearly not a person of importance in the place!

If you can easily find another job, I agree it might be time to start looking.

In the short term, I'd speak to your union rep again, and arrange a meeting with them present and explain the solution of having PPA on your day off is not acceptable, and the PPA must be within your already contracted time.

I'd also mention to your HoD etc that you're considering looking for a new job because of this.