Returning to secondary teaching after 4 year break - am I in a position to negotiate a higher salary?

[Russianred]

To elaborate on the title of my thread - I have been at home since having my DS and am returning to a part-time teaching post (3 days a week). I have been offered M4 on the payscale, which is in line with the point at which I left teaching, although I also had a TLR as 2i/c of the department.

In the time since I have left the classroom I have been employed as a 1:1 tutor, volunteered as a playgroup leader, taken on the role of Parent Governor at my children's nursery and worked in TV production (post is English/Media, so relevant). All of this has been on a p/t basis, as my main role has been a SAHM.

Unfortunately, all of my salary (and more) is going to go on childcare, which sees us operating at a loss. I know that this is the case for a lot of people and I might need to just suck it up, but can anyone offer advice on if I might be able to negotiate a bump on the payscale?

Can you get any recognition of your experience to date? Or hours worked? I think if you could show "proof" it might assist -I'm in Ireland and worked as a secondary teacher but this may not apply in UK

In the current climate of secondary schools I'd just be thankful they employed you and not an NQT or someone cheaper.

You can try - in theory you can be moved up the pay scale at the discression of the head - but I wouldn't bank on it.

I agree with Pottering, money is very tight in most schools at the moment, we are restructuring and staff are losing their TLRs.

I would think that your only hope is to take on some extra Media Studies stuff unpaid and prove that you are indispensable. After 12 months you are in a stronger position. The nursery experience is of no value in secondary unless you are going to teach on a Child Development or Health and Social Care course.

With a secondary PGCE you can teach in colleges. You could get extra work here, as quite a few courses run at night. Otherwise there is private tutoring both options allow you to work when dcs in bed or to fit around other work responsibilities. Most colleges now are hourly paid for new staff, the reason I left. but as an extra income its not too bad