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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:
Hulababy · 05/02/2004 20:31

Also, I think the letter is actually directed to the LEA rather than the Head (not sure if foundation is different though). My head was okay about it but it is the LEA who is asked formally.

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:32

Thanks for help from all and to think I was going to go to TES chatroom rather than mumsnet!!!!
I have to put ds to bed now but will let you all know what union (naswut) say tomorrow. Def wont use school rep as rather useless (school breaks loads os contract rules and nothing ever said).

OP posts:
Hulababy · 05/02/2004 20:39

Go for it. Where in country are you hercules? I used the South Yorkshire office and they were really helpful.

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:48

Croydon.

OP posts:
popsycal · 05/02/2004 20:49

isnt there a real teacher shortage in london - if so, they could hardly refuse you!

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 20:55

Yes, although redundancies have been made here in Croydon, more due to lack of money though.

OP posts:
fisil · 05/02/2004 20:59

I don't really have anything to add - it has all been said while I've been living it up at a parents evening. But thought I would just say hello to a fellow SW London teacher. What do you teach?

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

I certainly don't miss them fisil. re btw.

OP posts:
popsycal · 05/02/2004 21:06

argh - i have two paretns evenings next week - yuk

fisil · 05/02/2004 21:06

Two in one week? That's inhuman!

Original poster
hercules · 05/02/2004 21:07

Dont you find that all the nice kids parents turn up and the ones with horrid kids dont. Very frustrating!

OP posts:
popsycal · 05/02/2004 21:10

luckily i only teach one year group but if you teach all four, you will have had two each week for four weeks running....
yes i know!

Original poster
hercules · 06/02/2004 18:59

excuse one handed typing. i called my union today are going to post me some info on the legislation bit. i have decided to ask to finish at 2.20 until the summer hols and then do a half day from sep finishing at 12.30. i dont think i could cope with a fuller tt what with the marking, reports etc as well as a baby and older ds. they said if the schoolsays no then i should contact the rep for y area and get him involved in negotiations.

Thanks for all your help. i'll let you know how it goes.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 09/02/2004 11:44

OH God, my head said no to partime!! I will now have to rethink our plans and look into full timenursery for dd.This is so not what I wanted to do.
I spoke to the union and although they said I could fight it it is probably unlikely it will change. I am going to start a thread to get positive experiences of sending a six month old to nursery.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 09/02/2004 20:16

Did your head give a good, valid reason? He must do. Did you speak to the regional union office? They should be able to do something. If the first person you speak to doesn't help, ask higher up the chain.

cazzybabs · 09/02/2004 20:26

My union (the NUT) were very supportive when I wanted to go back part-time when my school were being arsey about it. They basically said the school couldn't really refuse me. But having said that I practucally work full time anyway and dd was in full time child care from about 6 months so I could do housework stuff etc.

Original poster
hercules · 10/02/2004 11:22

Yes, lots of valid reasons which my union said he was entitled to say eg no good having a floater who cant coer a teacher the whole day, meetings etc etc. He did say I might be able to do less days but this doesnt help us as dh has to sleep.There is A possibilty that I can do mornings from september but unlikely. i am going in tomorrow to discuss with my line manager. In a way a good thing as it means i get to stay at home until next halfterm although our incomings will be less than our outgoings.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 12/02/2004 14:50

I have gone back to my schooland they have said it should be okay for me to go partime in sep.excuse onehanded typing.
i am going back next halfterm full time but floating which will be a prob but my
childminder for ds has said she can have dd whilst dh sleeps (dd likes her.
From sept i have to work monday until 5 so i dont miss that all so important meeting but i can finish 12.30 the rest of the week. I will share a tutir group with another partimer (vi). they'll let me know for def after i go back depending on their timetable. not sure how we'll manage moneywise until i go bacl but tbh dont really care.
thanks for advice.
I will also be getting a cleaner come sept

OP posts:
Hulababy · 12/02/2004 15:05

Glad to hear something more positive has been sorted for you. Are you happy with this arrangment?

Make sure you get the school to put all this down in writing as soon as they give a definite next term too.

Good luck!

Original poster
hercules · 12/02/2004 20:36

thanks hulababy.
I will have to get childcare for the monday but other wise is great. imagine - home by 1pm tues ti fri.
loved the article btw

OP posts:
Hulababy · 12/02/2004 20:51

Sounds good then. Make sure you don't stay late and get home to your little one too!

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