SLT roles?

[Tgilaura]

Hi,

To cut a long story short, it’s looking like I am going to be passed over for a promotion.
I ve been in middle leadership for a few years with a specialisation in SEN.

As a result I m wondering now about looking for a new role - maybe something like assistant head with send responsibilities.

The thing that’s holding me back is my daughter is only 2, and I currently work 0.8.
Can anyone give me a bit of insider info on what the demand is like in those kind of roles? I m very aware that my daughter is so young and I don’t want to miss out on things with her, but equally I am so disappointed about this job and am not sure I can stay.

please help!

I left an slt role when my dc were around that age. It was just too much. DH has a very full on role too and it didn’t work for our family.

I’m back at it now they are older though (ks2 & secondary). I love it but balancing everything is hard. It’s definitely more full on than a standard class teacher role (assuming you’d have a teaching load as well).

I am an AHT and SENCo and I probably work 14 hours a day and I often have to stay late at the drop of a hat. I think I would really struggle with a young child. However, there are other members of SLT in our team who have younger children- the DHT is female and has two small kids and the HT is male and has a new born. It can be done but you will need a supportive partner who can be flexible and an SLT team that respects boundaries. Be prepared to wfh a lot and spend half terms working etc. I do love it deep down but I am the sort of person who thrives off challenge and pressure tbh.