Can you be a HOD with 2 babies?

[TeachA]

Hi, just posting for advice/perspective. An opportunity might have come up to be Head of Department of a core subject in a local school, when I finish MAT leave. I know the staff and curriculum well but I’m also in Wales where the whole GCSE qualifications are changing and we have a completely new course, starting next year.

I have a 2 year old and a would be 1 year old when I go back to work. In 2 years time I would be jumping at the chance but life at home is so intense with 2 babies. Am I insane for even considering taking on a HOD role? It would also be over 4 days.

I know someone who did it- obviously very hard work but she coped well.

She had very good family support though so that would have massively helped.

It can be done as long as you have a good support network of childcare - OH, GP etc.

That said though, being a HoD will bring late nights at school into territory more so than as a teacher - You will have meetings with various stakeholders, departmental admin as well as all the work that comes with being a teacher - you won’t really see much of your DC in the week as it will be virtually bedtime by the time you get home….

Your family dynamic will change with an additional DC so I’d personally wait until the DC are a little bit older before you consider progressing your career - that’s just my opinion though.

Thank you, both. I am very lucky to have the support but I agree it is going to impact family time, even if I try leaving on the bell and bringing work home - less able to do this as a HOD.

I don’t think this opportunity will be coming up again, though. Such a tricky one.