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Original poster

Advice from teachers needed

46 replies

hercules · 05/02/2004 17:02

I am a secondary teacher on maternity leave at the moment and after I've done my 13 weeks (hopefully finishing at 2.20 if school agree) I am considering doing supply work.
I need to finish work at 2.20 at the latest as my dh does nights and I need to pick up dd from home and then ds from school and dont fancy lots of work at home.
I don't think my school will agree to me working these hours from Sept as until then I'm off timetable and just doing supply within the school. They would want me to be a Tutor from Sept and attend meetings which cabt do if finishing early.
I would like advice from others about advantages and disadvantages of supply over contract. I do need to bring in some money but dont need to work full time.
Any thoughts most welcome!

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 18:20

Just bringing myself to the top!

OP posts:
popsycal · 05/02/2004 19:00

Are you aware of the new flexible working hours for paretns laws??
if not, then I will post more.....

Coddy · 05/02/2004 19:02

I dont know if this affects you but I saw my Union who advised that unless the job was impossible to do part time(ie not you) then they had to let you do it or face discrimination proceeding at an indust tribunal.

I did 0.7 over three days.

mummysurfer · 05/02/2004 19:04

this may help you

hana · 05/02/2004 19:07

with supply work you don't often get paid during the holidays which can make quite a difference. Also you might not get your pro-rata rate which might be more than a supply rate?

Coddy · 05/02/2004 19:10

but with supply they over pay you so you get holidays allowance but paid ont he days you work

SUpply=no marking or prep

Moomin · 05/02/2004 19:10

They're legally obliged to "reasonably consider" any reduction in hours which have to be paid at the same scale you used to work before mat leave, unless you agree otherwise. I'm not sure about reducing the length of your school day but I know that part-timers at my school aren't obliged to take a form group. We also do reduced duty times as well. Actually, at my school we do have some part-timers that don't do afternoons because they work half days. Could this be a consideration?

If you're only working p/t, how could you anyway (unless you were on a job share)? Unless you've already agreed to your new hours, they can't really count on you to do a form tutor's role can they? Have you actually approached your head yet?

And I'm sorry - I wasn't clear on whether you're pre or post baby at the moment. Whatever you do, don't agree to anything unless you're clear on what you want and when.

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 19:10

Thsnks for replies.
Popsycal - I knew there was a law about this but I know my head is going to object on the grounds of not being able to have a tutor group as we have a registration at the end of the day and I need to finish before this. Other reason maybe because some of my classes which I teach more than once might be timetabled for the last lesson. Any info you may have would be good.
Thanks Coddy - I would like to do this or upto 80% but again as said I need to finish 2.20 and can't do full days. I will contact my union though to see what is reasonable for them to turn me down on.

OP posts:
Coddy · 05/02/2004 19:11

yes I had no form and I LOVED it

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 19:15

Thanks Moomin- yes I did see this and was useful. That's true, they seem happy to consider me going parttime (although they wont say for sure until i request in writing). If they say no I am in trouble as there is no way I can afford childcare for fulltime work but I nned to go back as I took full maternity pay!

OP posts:
Moomin · 05/02/2004 19:47

I don't understand this - hercules, they HAVE to consider your request, and by that I mean they can't say no, really! Have you actually verbally agreed to something you've now changed your mind about? Anyway, you're the one who decides i the end. I would get in touch with your union asap. Work out exactly what you DO want - how many hours, over how many days - and then tell them this. They'll be able to tell you your rights and also advise you how to put it to your employer. Don't let anyone bully you into thinking you're not entitled. This would be viewed very poorly by the union.

Hulababy · 05/02/2004 20:09

hercules - a friend of mine did part time hours -mornings only. Woould that suit you better?

I work PT (3 full days) but I am NOT a form tutor, and I am not expected to do any work on my days off - including parent's evenings, INSET, meetings, etc.

The union were very useful for confirming my rights over that aspect. Have you contacted your regional office? Ask them if you have to do stuff at night if you are only employed for mornings. My friend never did anything at night when she did it. Mu union is NASUWT and they were very good.

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:11

thanks Moomin. I guess I wasnt keen on pushing it strongly as it would be so ideal with our situation with dh working nights and no chilcare costs I thought the other teachers with kids would be thinking it wasn't fair me finishing in time to pick ds up and getting 80% pay. i will speak to union tomorrow and put it in writing to my school as I want to go back the week before the easter hols so I get paid for them (do you think this is cheeky or okay?).
I sent to see my head after xmas and told him I was thinking of going part-time. He said in theory okay but needs to be in writing before they give answer but only until Sept when I am back on timetable.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:13

Thanks Hulababy. Not many people in my school do parttime and I dont know any well who do so could speak to them about it iyswim. Union sounds the best bet.

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Coddy · 05/02/2004 20:13

I was nas too

popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:14

dti website - good for laws and stuff

another good one - tells you your rights very simply

hth

popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:17

I was seriuosly considering this afew months ago (well...up to afew days ago actually) and they havent really got any leg to stand on
itis your employer - the LEA- who need to make the final decision and they will alsway avoid any possible problems
basically if there are people in your LEA doing what you want to do, then they have to let you do it too!!
Talk to the head first but copy any letters etc to the governors and LEA
and quote legislation
good luck

popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:18

those websites give you guidancew about how to write letter...
i have a letter that i worote but idnt send iff that is any help to you....

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:18

Thanks popyscal
bth what does hth stand for?

OP posts:
popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:20

hope that helps

popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:20

there are quite alot of us teachers on MN arent there!!!

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:21

Popyscal - Yes please to a vopy of the letter. My school is a Foundation school - does this make any difference as it sounds a really good idea to speak to LEA as my head is rather old fashioned about such things but I've never had any dealings with LEA. My bil is an employment lawyer so should be useful as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:23

I wonder what that says about us
Yes idhbtw

OP posts:
popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:23

if you contact me via mumsnet at the top of the screen then i will get back to you///letter is in draft form as i never sent it....but look at that first link i posted for information too

my boss didnt even know of new employment laws!!!!

Hulababy · 05/02/2004 20:27

hercules - just ask questions away and I am sure all the teachers here (yes, there does appear to be loads of us) will help where we can.

It is actually quite hard now for the head to refuse PT full stop. He has to give a really good reason. It is also even easier to do PT at secondary than primary as the timetable can be written around you as you teach different classes, unlike primary. I even selected my own days and they simply worked around them. At one point to deputy head asked f I could change one day and I simply said no (used childcare as a problem) and they didn't make a fuss. You just have to be quite insistant about it. You have the law on your side too.

RE the union. I found it much better to e-mail the regional officer rather than use the school rep. They were much more knowledgable and can offer examples of letters, etc.

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