Hi everyone, I'm looking for a bit of advice. This is my third year of working for my local authority in the same school as a teacher. My first year was my qualifying year (which apparently doesn't count towards continuous service), the next year I was part time temporary and this year I am also part time temporary. I am due to go on maternity leave later this year. My current contract is due to end a couple of months into my maternity leave and by that stage I will have 2 years continuous service (not including my NQT year). At that stage I plan to write to the local authority asking for a permanent contract. They seem to have a loose rule that after 2 years continuous service you can apply for permanency, but in reality I think some people get it and others don't.
My Head Teacher is saying that I will not be able to come back to work at the school. She is happy with my work, but I think she is considering what is best for the school in terms of staffing and continuity for pupils. She says it will be up to the local authority whether they give me a permanent contract and that she is doubtful, but that if they do it will be at a different school. This would be fine as far as I'm concerned, I just don't know if she is right to have already decided that I won't be returning to my current job. She says this job will always be temporary and that is why. I feel as though local authorities seem to work to their own rules. I wonder if anyone knows the legalities of this, and can advise me of where to go from here. I am reluctant to contact the local authority yet in case they get wind of me wanting a permanent contract and cut my current contract short. I have contacted my union but they have been less than helpful so far.
Sorry this is such a long post .. if you have got this far thanks for reading. I feel I must have some rights in this situation and I hope someone can offer advice as I'm a bit lost at the moment!