Resigning on maternity leave

[Climbingmama]

Hello! Not sure this is the right place but I hope someone sees this and has advice. I’m having to resign from my role as a teacher due to the fact that two children in full time nursery would cost me more than I bring home each month. It’s just not financially viable, so I need to resign. I’ve moved house having had the baby and am an hour away from the school so physically going in is tricky with the baby. I’ve never met the headmaster as a new one was appointed after I left. How do I resign?! Letter or phone call or going in in person? A combination? I hate letting colleagues down but I just can’t return to work. Thanks for advice, much appreciated.

Could you email a resignation letter? I think it's not necessary to go in. A cursory phone call perhaps but the most important thing is to let them know in writing.

I would do a phone call, followed up on email so they have it in writing.

Thanks yes I think phone call then letter. Bit weird calling a man I’ve not met to resign. Eek. Must do it must do it must do it

I'm assuming you have looked into tax free child care etc? If you haven't It might not be as costly as you think.

Also would it not be worth discussing part time first rather than resigning altogether? Your money often goes slightly further part time especially if you have a student loan still to pay off and are having pre tax deductions for things like pension and childcare.

Will you have to pay back your maternity pay if you don't go back? That's fairly standard in teaching/ public sector isn't It?

Did you take enhanced maternity pay? If you don’t return after maternity for 13 weeks full time or the equivalent amount part time will will have to pay back your enhanced maternity pay.

I would request a meeting with head and then go through and give letter.

I'm rather amazed you only crunched the numbers now...

Let them know by phone (school head and/or business manager) right away so they can plan, and follow it up with a written resignation.

Can you afford to pay back the enhanced maternity pay when you don't return?

I’m on bog standard statutory pay so no I don’t get any benefits and don’t need to return to work for any amount of time. I’m afraid part time would definitely be impossible financially, as well as physically getting to work. I haven’t just crunched the numbers but with a newborn I’m within my rights not to resign just a month or so after I’ve birthed it!