Two great job offers, which do I take?

JDD10

Hi,

Long post, but stick with me. All advice welcome!

Following on from two recent interviews, I have been offered jobs in two different schools. I realise how incredibly fortunate I am in this current economic and teaching climate to be offered these jobs. However, this fantastic opportunity has also thrown up quite the dilemma!

Background info: I have taught in both of these schools in the past, covering sick, maternity and parental leaves.

School A: I have worked a few years here, covering the various types of leave, Lovely staff, really helpful and supportive department colleagues, incredibly supportive management both professionally and personally (when difficult family circumstances arose). Lovely students. I have also made very good friends here.High expectation to be active in many different extra-curricular activities.

The job in this school is 10hours covering for a career break for one year.

School B: Worked here a shorter time, covering a sick leave. Absolutely loved this school too, really nice staff and the most delightful students, from a good mix of backgrounds, many from less privileged backgrounds, which I particularly enjoyed working with. No major pressure with extra-curricular activities. School is well managed. It was nice to work in a totally different school.

This post will be a maternity leave for most of the year.


I don't know how I will make my decision, while school B would be better financially for the year; I have to think of the long term and the chance to possibly get my 'own' hours down the line. Because I have been with school A for longer, I am worried that I might burn my bridges with them; they might not like me choosing another school over them. Any advice welcome.

thefasteriwalk

I think not knowing what's happening with S&S makes this a particularly difficult decision. It's very frustrating. As to which one to chose, I'm not sure. Probably A if I thought there was a chance of securing some hours of my own in the future.

JDD10

Thanks for your reply the fasteriwalk.

I am bumping up this thread, I would love to hear more opinions. Thanks:)

ulysses32

You need to weigh up the medium to long term prospects of each school. Things to consider might be enrolment statistics and numbers in local primary schools as well as the age profile of subject department colleagues.

You obviously feel comfortable in both environments so If it were me, I would choose the school that offered the best long term prospects for me.

You are very lucky to have such a dilemma!

JDD10

Thanks Ulysses32, I know I am very lucky to have such a dilemma, especially after a summer of hearing nothing back from job applications, so I really appreciate two offers:)!

Well one school is a regular secondary school, department staff all quite young. Realistically I can't see hour being sanctioned in my subjects in the next few years, if it hasn't happened by now, especially as they have high numbers of students starting each year. I have worked here for longer, I would hate to burn my bridges here if I choose the other school.

The other school is part of the VEC system, which could mean potential for job/hours in the future either within that school or other schools in the VEC system in the city. Department staff are v young here too.

Tough choices:)

Hermia

The career break option means you're paid for the summer and the teacher might decide to take another year, hours in your subjects may come up next year as well?
It's a tough one but a good situation to be in; I had a similar situation happen to me this year too, I had to base my decision on my gut feeling in the end! Sometimes its good to trust your instinct with these things! But since you've had a positive experience in both schools, it's quite tough indeed!
Best of luck in making your decision!

killbillvol2

The bottom line is that two schools in which you've spent a good deal of time have offered you a job. This means you're good!

As to burning bridges, no principal would have a problem with a teacher he respects making a decision to take more hours/better terms etc. Just explain the circumstances if you go that way.

Good luck!

solerina

Weight up how much you can earn from each position (if you feel that both wont lead to your own hours, this is the next most important consideration)...the make a decision, as killbill said above explain your decision to the principal whose job you turn down and they are unlikely to hold it against you. (by the way, School A sounds best to me as its possible that the teacher wont be back/could extend the career break beyond the one year, so ultimately it work out better).