Teaching in your child's school

[Blackcoffeewithmilkplease]

I'm a secondary English teacher and I'm considering making a move to a new school in September. A job has come up at my local school which I am tempted by - it's a good school and there's potential for it to come with a subject specific TLR which would be a step up in my career. Any other school would potentially also come with a significant commute which can be challenging to work around childcare (two primary aged DC).

The issue is that it is the school that my DC (oldest currently Year 5) will almost certainly attend. Does anyone have any advice or experience with teaching in their own child's school? Oldest DC is also suspected ASD/ADHD and is already starting to struggle socially at school (although fine academically) so I'm wondering if me being around would help him and his teachers, or not?

Any advice gratefully received!

I was going to say it would be easier in secondary than primary. You’d be able to (hopefully) avoid teaching your own children for example.

Once you put SEN into the mix there are other things to factor in. There may be times when you need to fight for the correct provision for your child or complain to the SENCO/ SLT. This could be problematic especially if you are management.

I taught my eldest in Nursery and she was at my school until Y2. There were advantages, such as being there for assemblies and events and disadvantages, such as her not getting picked to do things consistently.
There was a tricky time in Y1 over her abilities not being met, which was difficult, but lead to a Gifted and Talented Group set up and led by the Deputy.

Things came to a head when our youngest started in Nursery. She was diagnosed with autism aged 3 and the YR teacher wasn’t very flexible with children with additional needs.
There were some awful upsetting conversations and horrendous times. I was middle management. They were keen to keep our eldest but didn’t seem to want our youngest. The Head suggested it would be better if we found another school for her.
We all left. It launched my career in SEN teaching and they moved to a lovely primary near to where we had moved house.

Obviously it sounds like a good opportunity but there’s my cautionary tale. Just weigh up the pros and cons. Go with your gut.