Wwyd question

[rainbowinthesky]

I have a fantastic job at a fantastic school which is very close to where I live and where dd goes to school. I really enjoy it and all is good.
However, I am getting itchy feet. There is a position in a school that is struggling and needs a complete restructure and overhaul. It pays a little more but is much further away. I reckon it will take an hour in traffic to get there and back. This means dd will need to be in childcare before school at 7.30 on the dot and I'll need to extend her pickup time to 6.30pm. It will end up costing me more childcare and more petrol.

It is also a gamble as it could end up a nightmare place to work. It's hard to tell at the moment as the restructuring etc hasnt taken place.

On the other hand it would be an exciting challenge to be at the start of all this and be able to make a difference rather than walking into an already established school with everything in place.

I am nearly 37 if that makes a difference.

How old is DD?

Don't do it. If you like your school, don't change.

She is 7.

Should add I would be taking up position as assistant head in new school so promotion.

Wow, I can see your dilemma. It sounds like a potentially fantastic opportunity but 7:30-6:30 is a long time for your dd to be out of the house - I assume the after school club is even open that late, I don't think ours is.

I assume your dp is not able to help out at all, if you have one?

I think in your shoes I would chalk this one up to bad timing, but I can also see why you are conflicted; trying to turn around a failing situation would be an amazing experience for the staff and pupils, I'm sure. Other opportunities will come up, though - an hour's commute each way is a lot.

Dd is already out of the house from 8 and finishes at childminder at 6, getting home for 6.20.
Dh does shift work so can sometimes pick her up and drop her but changes every week.
I am in two minds. It is a fantastic opportunity and my experience to get this job wont be as good as it currently is if I leave it till dd is older.

Has it actually been offered you? Have you a Plan B if you take it and it does not work out?

No, I'll need to apply but if I get an interview will have to say yes or no straight away. I have no back up plan if it doesnt work out apart from getting another job.

My DD has done that length of day since she was 5 until now (aged 9). But its too long for her, she is tired, she has no social life outside of school and she really doesn't see enough of us. So we are changing her school to a closer one to cut down on her hours.

So please think very hard about how your DD will cope. Could you move house as well do you think?

Having worked in both established and struggling schools I would suggest that going into a struggling school can, as you suggest, be a nightmare. From what you say it sounds like you are ready for a fresh challenge, but I would worry that the struggling school would offer the wrong sort of challenge.

Does your current school know how you feel? No school is perfect, so maybe there are development opportunities or new initiatives that you could get involved in?

I hope that it works out well whatever you decide!

Yes, there will always be opportunities in my current school for doing new initiatives etc. Thanks for the advice from all. Food for thought. I might hold off for a little longer before making a huge leap in the dark.