Working part time term time

[Catnkids]

Hi

Has anyone any advice on how to get a part time (16 hours a week) term time only job? I've got 3 kids and have been a SAHM for 11 years now, I don't want to put my kids into after school/holiday clubs.

I've been looking for months (trawling through lots of websites) and there doesn't seem to be anything around. I used to be a secretary then I worked voluntarily as a TA in my local primary school for about 4 years but decided not to train cos it takes years and costs a lot and I'm not sure I'm that suited to the job anyway, so now I think I'd like to work in a school office or similar. I really need to get a job!!!

Any advice would be brilliant! Thanks.

[LittleB]

You could try your local council. I work for a council and they are very flexible with working, and several people I know do term time only work, I don't yet as dd is only 2, but hope to in the future. Its worth giving them a ring to chat it through before you apply as its only suitable for some jobs.

[Majah]

Have you thought about becoming a Phoenix Trader instead? Its something that can be so easily done around children. I do it and have signed up several Mums in just your situation. It has great potential. Check out their website on phoenix-trading.co.uk. If you want someone to sponsor you I'd be happy to or you may find someone in your area can.

[Catnkids]

Thanks for your help. I am worried that I'm going to miss the boat on school jobs. The job centre said schools advertise now for September. It's so frustrating because I'm checking the websites every day and the job centre send me info but any jobs that are suitable for me are an hours drive from here

I'm back in school volunteering again (road safety this time) so I'm checking the boards there too and have asked staff in other primary schools to keep their eyes peeled too. I feel like I'm doing as much as I can but there's nothing around There must be something out there for me!!!

I only need 8 hours to boost the 8 hours I already do so that I can get working tax credits which will give me a significant rise in income - which I desperately need!! It's very frustrating and can be quite depressing. Positive thinking - there'll be a job out there for me.... somewhere.

Thanks again everyone for your help

[twinsetandpearls]

there are often jobs in schools as other have said, the secondary school I work in is making lots of people redundant but we are still having to take people on for non teaching jobs, infact at my school there are more non teaching staff then teachers.

Possibilities include, teaching assistants, learnign mentors, exam invigilators for casual work although you may be too late now as we have ours booked, admin staff, kitchen staff.

We have cut back on teaching assistants but are having to recruit in other areas.

[Phraedd]

don't know where you're based but in Herts we have this site

this is where i got my tto job

[Catnkids]

Hi Noahsark04

I've only just spotted your message - I haven't been here for a while.

I'm not legally trained but I'm a fast learner. Do I need to be near you to work for you? I'm in Chester.

Let me know if the work is still available and if you'd be interested in my skills.

Cat

[noahsark04]

Hi, I'm actually looking for someone with secretarial skills though preferably a legal background to help me out - I'm a mum of 2 (age 4 and 3), lawyer by trade, working flexible/part time from home with no set hours. It's data inputting work essentially, but with an interesting slant. Let me know if you (or anyone else!) is interested.

[MrsWho]

Will check!

[roisin]

MrsWho - do you have my email address? I seem to have lost yours.

I would like an offline chat about re-grading and stuff.

Ta,
R

[MrsWho]

Friend is on supply there and they are all having to reapply (re-grading?)

[roisin]

W secondary school?
I have a couple of friends who teach there, so will pump them for the lowdown.

[MrsWho]

We are overstaffed as some kids are leaving (with big statements) and we are not getting many little ones in but have lots of big ones (with smaller statements)Though we are still overfull.

We were restructured a couple of years ago so are fairly safe atm but newer staff are being affected.

I know W school is being restructured.

[roisin]

Why? Are you having fewer children?
We've just advertised for more TAs; are taking more statemented students next year, and are putting some temporary extra classrooms up primarily to expand SN provision.

But County are playing silly beggars with job descriptions and terms/conditions. Does that affect you too?

[MrsWho]

Roisin- Have heard of lots of redundancies atm, we are losing 2 staff

[roisin]

Catnkids - have you got time now? Lots of secondary schools want people to do exam invigilation atm, and may well want an extra person. It would be worth phoning round local secondary schools on Monday.

This is done on a casual basis, paid hrly - minimum wage probably. (They'll give you training, and there's actually very little to do - it's pretty boring I'm afraid.)

But if you got your foot in the door this way, and proved to be reliable, friendly, and not a stress-head; they may have other opportunities that might suit you.

I work in a secondary school and we often have various little jobs come up - 6 hrs a week admin support for a specific project for 3 months, or similar. These sort small jobs tend to be advertised internally and filled by 'people we know'.

[roisin]

Amazinwoman - it depends on your area and average house prices/wage costs.

Round here TTO TA jobs are like golddust. I've lived in other areas where that's not the case.

[tryingtodobest]

admin work in schools probably your best bet. check local authority website for jobs.

[MrsWho]

AMAZINWOMAN -Wouldn't be too sure about that!

[littlemissbossy]

Keep on eye on your local education department website for vacancies or write in to all the local schools to see if they want part-time admin help. Good luck

[AMAZINWOMAN]

schools are always crying out for part time term time teaching asssitants! ok pay not so briliant, but you always work leave on time to get home for kids, have holidays with kids and its a job that you never ever bring home with you!!

[frances5]

"School Librarians at secondary schools are generally qualified librarians and they are often on a contract that involves some vacation hours. "

ICt technicians, science technicians usually have degrees as well. Prehaps Catnkids could get the qualifications to become a librarian.

This web page explains routes to becoming a libarian.

www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile188/

[serenity]

I know you want an office job, but depending on how much you need a job, it might be worth trying a few shops. Marks definitely do termtime/part time contracts, I think ASDA, Tesco and Woolies do too. Some government agencies do too - I live near the home Office in Croydon and I've heard they are very flexible with hours and contracts, it might be worth trying somewhere similar, or contacting your local council for part time work.

Also don't limit yourself to primary schools, send CVs or contact secondary schools and colleges. Bear in mind though that you will have to work inset days when your children are off and you would probably have to do some work during the summer holidays. My Mum deals with EMA payments in a 6th form college and although she gets most of the holidays off, she has to go back a week before college opens to get things ready for the start of term.

[LIZS]

Will watch with interest, have seen pt jobs advertised but all year but what I'd earn would n't cover my holiday childcare costs , assuming anyone is available to take them so seems futile. I've not worked for 9 years which doens't help my cv or my motivation and confidence. Does anyone do short term temping ?

[Lilymaid]

"liberian"? School Librarians at secondary schools are generally qualified librarians and they are often on a contract that involves some vacation hours.

[frances5]

There are loads of part time jobs in schools other than teaching. I am a part time ICT techician. In secondary schools are jobs as attendence officers, midday supervisor (dinner lady), liberian, pastoral support, cover supervisior, exam invigilator, science technician as well as admin jobs.

Have you looked at your council website. A lot of school jobs are advertised there.

If you get experience of working in a school it makes it easier to get a job in a school. Getting a term time job in a school is intensely competitive, a lot of mums want school hours. To get an interview it helps to make connections and be known by schools in the area.

For example a lot of secondary schools need exam invigilators. It is not popular work because it is casual, not many hours, boring and low paid.