What would you do?

kelloggs36

I have a dilemma. It is a difficult situation but one which I am sure many would actually be envious of in this current climate, I am fully aware of that!!!

I have spent the last 4 years studying to be a teacher and will have completed my NQT year by the end of this academic year. My contract is due to end then as it was only for a year, and there are hardly any jobs out there at all at the moment! Been offered a short-term extention until January and then I am back to where I am now, in having to look for a permenant teaching position.

However, I have the chance (if I want it) to take a Civil Service post starting mid-August. I was there before, and I can return if I wish. I requested term-time only and it was refused due to the nature of the job (Court Presenting Officer). I really don't know what to do for the best - aside from the fact that I will have to plead with them to let me start later than the date they have asked me to, due to me being on holiday until 9 days later!!

I love teaching, absolutely love it, and don't want to give it up, but it is looking unlikely that I can secure a permemant position at the moment. I could take a chance and wait until it picks up again. Had a couple of interviews, one of which I was told that if there were 2 jobs, that I would have been employed (doesn't help though). Don't want to take 6 months of work when I can have a permenant post, but also childcare is an issue, as my Civil Service job is a long way from home, so it will involve lots of travelling, plus longer hours away from my children and therefore high childcare costs (if I can find anywhere!)

What would others do in my situation?

juliecallum

I personally would hang on for a teachers post if you love it that much, Just a guess but come September wont there be jobs for the start of the new term?
Whatever you decide Good Luck.......

Oldernotwiser

It used to be the case that teachers had to give their notice in by the end of May if they wanted to leave in the summer. If this is still the case, there may well be more vacancies advertised in the next couple of weeks.

Can you leave it for a month before committing to the Civil Service job?

McKneff

I agree with Julie, its really not worth stressing yourself over, not only will there be the stresses of the work and not seeing so much of your family you will be stressing about applying for teaching jobs and going for interviews, you will be knackered and not worth much to anybody let alone yourself. If you can afford it then just chill and look for want you want to do. Good luck

kelloggs36

Yes, it is still the case that those wishing to apply have to hand in notice by end of May. Nothing new so far this week, Head is putting pressure on me to commit to the short-term contract which, I don't want to do yet as I am taking myself out of the market too early!!!!! Civil Service job can wait a few weeks, I'm sure!

Oldernotwiser

Some people do leave it right to the last minute to give in notice so ads for these jobs wouldn't be in the paper until at least this weekend and possibly later.

Don't be pressurised to accept what isn't really much of an offer!

poe.tuesday

you want to be a teacher, you have spent 4 years training to be one, it's what you want to do, it fits in well with your homelife so stick to your plans - if you take the other job you are a long way from home, it does not give you a good work life balance and you could end up in a rut with no option but to stay in the job - don't even go down that route - I am sure you will get a job in teaching and if you don't then you can get something closer to home that fits in better with your family life

keep focused on what you have been working towards and you will succeed

kelloggs36

Thanks particularly to poe - as I have completed my first year in teaching, I am in a better position perhaps than some newly qualified teachers, as I am still cheap, but have a year's experience. I should be able to get some supply work if I don't get a permenant job after this one ends - it is just the fear of putting myself into a kind of vulnerable position with no job that scares me so much!!

Oldernotwiser

What level of teaching and, if secondary, what subject?

Oldernotwiser

poe.tuesday wrote: »

you want to be a teacher, you have spent 4 years training to be one, it's what you want to do, it fits in well with your homelife so stick to your plans - if you take the other job you are a long way from home, it does not give you a good work life balance and you could end up in a rut with no option but to stay in the job -

That's fine and dandy but it doesn't put food on the table!

kelloggs36

It's primary teaching. I am lucky in that I am not in a desparate situation as my hubby works, although we would be forced into paying the interest only on our mortgage as we did when I was a student, so it wouldn't be ideal!