Help!!

[sunshine75]

Aaaaargh, I'm due back at work at the end of March and am a teacher. Love my job and the kids I teach and care about their GCSE and A Level results.

Anyway, my replacement has just handed her notice in (in a big huff!!) and is going to leave in Feb. This means the lower school kids will get supply teachers and the 6th form will be lucky if anyone teaches them at all (another colleague will probably give them worksheets).

I know the will ask me to go back 6 weeks early and I don't want to leave Dd but do feel responsible for the lovely students who have been left right up s*t creek!!

God I'm rambling, but don't know what to do.

Poor you, it's so shit when this happens. I'm also a teacher (tho more or less a full-time mum now) tho I did return, after DS for over a year before I decided to be a SAHM.

I would be loathe to return, despite the kids being up 'shit creek'. This is your time with your baby and you'll never get it back. Despite being a committed teacher, you have a new priority now. It doesn't stop you feeling guilty tho.

I'd forget lower school kids (they won't be too badly affected by half a term of supply - my maternity cover was SHITE and the kids were fine when I got back, if a little behind).

You don't say what subject you teach. Do they do coursework with KS4 and 5? Is there a way you could sort out the coursework for them? That way they're not too behind, and I'm sure there is a way they could pay you that wouldn't affect your maternity pay.

My mate, who's head of RS, had this EXACT situation but she didn't go back.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
x

It's really only the Y13s I'm worried about. I may be able to do a couple of half days and teach them and then go back properly at Esater.

It's made the reality of going back to work sink in if nothing else!!

I can see the dilemna.

I think you're right to prioritise Yr 13. Look at it this way - your job will be made all the harder if you return after they've had inadequate teaching, so in a sense you're better off getting in there earlier.
And tbh there's not a huge amount of difference between feb and march. Look on it as a way of easing back in a little more gently rather than straight back in full time!

Yes, my sentiments exactly. Although, the latest is that she brought the resignation letter in with her and then took it home again, with the parting words - I'm going to post it!!