I've been working with my current employer for just over a year. It's a charity, working to promote careers education in schools. I am employed by them as a careers advisor working in different schools everyday, predominantly with years 9,10, and 11. I work 4 days a week on a 48 week contract so have about 10 weeks leave a year. As part of my package with the charity, they have paid for an OU course to do in my own time which basically qualifies me as a careers advisor. I am hating the course. I have had a tough year, my husband and I had a terrible patch at the latter end of last year and then my stepdad who raised me from birth died suddenly in March. It's been fucking awful. I find getting the time to complete my OU work in the evening near on impossible, I have a 6 and 3 year old and have work to do every evening from my actual role before I've even started on my OU work. It's crippling me.
In my current role, I drive a lot but I've made good progress. I've got good feedback from all my schools to my employer and they seem really happy with my work. I LOVE working with the young people, they make my heart sing. I feel I have good rapport with them but the monotony of post 16 advice is getting to me one year in.... I'm already feeling bored. Work have tried to offer me variety but the actual practicalities of two roles within one are very difficult to juggle. Careers is becoming rapidly boring to me.
In short, I've been approached by one of my schools for a head of house role. Basically pastoral, attendance, well being etc. The role would be 5 days a week so I would lose my one day of with my daughter who goes to school next September, but the role wouldn't be until the new year anyway. It would also be completely term time, which is restricting in one way but appealing in others. It would be slightly more money. It's local. It would be a stepping stone to really widen my experience.
I know I would have to pay back my OU money to my employer but just wanted anyone's experience of the practicalities of doing so.... does it all have to be paid in one? Also, would I be mad to lose the flexibility of 10 weeks holiday whenever I want to be tied into term time arrangements? Would I always regret that 6/7 months of time with my daughter one day a week before she starts school?
Just really looking for thoughts and advice! TIA!