Teachers - how long before I can get out of this?

[Berrie]

I went back to work this week and I've made a huge mistake. I know that I have to give a half terms notice meaning I couldn't leave until Christmas but can I ask to go part time and start that sooner? (I do know that I need to give it a bit more time!)

You can ask and they maybe able to accomodate it by half term. Maybe earlier if they have the staffing flexibility??? I guess it would depend on the school's feelins towards PT, flexible working patterns and their ability to get in new staff.

Speak to someone at school and put in a request by writing. They HAVE to respond to you one way or the other.

Good luck.

I've just gone back in a jobshare. The girl that did my maternity leave is working 3 days opposite my two. It's not bad at all- I've finished my week now and don't have to go in again till Monday. You're entitled to ask but they're also entitled to turn you down if they can't get anyone to work opposite you. To do this they've got to prove that they've tried. there's all sorts of jargon. DON'T put the request in writing yet. leave that to the last resort- an informal chat with your head is better as once you've put your request in writing- if they turn it down you can't reapply for 12 months.
Phone your union tomorrow for advice.Which union are you with? My union guy was super. CAT me for advice if you want as I've just been through it. Still got all the bumph here

Have to say that my union rep - the LEA one not the school one - was also very good. Definitely worth speaking too. I did before requesting PT after mat leave.

Do you have to go for job share? Are you secondary or primary? I am secondary and just do straight forward PT. I find that much easier than job share at secondary level.

I'm primary. My union NUT is rubbish. When I sopke to him about changes that my head wanted to make to my responsibility points he said that he didn't see how I could coordinate Literacy if I was part time and that he didn't see why I should get a point for sitting in a senior management team meeting once a week! Which unions are these that are good?

Hulababy- the only way I could get it was jobshare as I wanted two straight days

nasuwt. change union

which uk country r u in berrie

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This was the local office!
We've got a floating teacher this year and also someone who does 3 days in a parallel class to release the assistant head so there is some flexibility. I'm not too hopeful as the Head sets great store by the fact the FOUR maternity leaves of last year are resolved and that we no longer have any temporary staff. She's not going to be pleased. I feel really stupid.

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I'm in Leicestershire, I'm worried about risking a break in service, would it affect my next maternity rights? I'd have to have a job to move to which means I'd have to act quickly. I think I was worried about stepping off the ladder (I have 3 points) but nothing is as bad as not being close to my baby.

You may have a chance of breaking your contract by writing to the governors and appealing to them.

I'm with NASUWT too.

I'd go on the NASUWT website and phone someone in their local office to tell them what you want to do i.e. change unions and the problem that you've got. At the end of the day your head has GOT to consider your request- he's got no choice. Besides jobsharing if done properly can be better for the kids. He'll have two relaxed, happy, motivated members of staff who aren't permanently run off their feet trying to juggle job and family. I'm much happier with this jobshare.
The other option is that you hand your notice in by oct half term and leave at xmas, trying to get another part time job and doing supply till then.

But DON'T give your job up without a fight.

It's a shame you're not in Wales region- my union guy was red hot.

Phone Nasuwt for advice and then go and ask your head