What a term!

What with one thing and another, this has been quite an exciting and challenging few months.

By half term the school where I was doing two days a week decided that they'd be able to cover the days with an existing member of staff (cheaper!), so on the last day before half term I found myself without work.

Despite reassurances from the head that it was simply a matter of efficacy for them, I felt a bit let down.

This did not improve when after half term it was hard to get day-to-day supply work. I had only a couple of days, and it was only having my art therapy course to look forward to that kept me going.

The bills need paying and the savings are running out

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After a couple of weeks I was offered a four-day a week position in a lovely special school, teaching children with profound and multiple learning difficulties.

I spent three days there and really enjoyed the challenge. However, in mid-November I had to have some important surgery, which meant time off.

As I didn't know when I'd be able to return to work, I was unable to take the post.

Whilst recuperating I did some serious soul searching. I realised that this way of life was not going to be practical for any length of time.

The flexibility that it had given me at first was turning into instability and I was struggling to get enough day-to-day work to be able to manage financially.

My husband has been great about my having time out, but the bills need paying and the savings are running out.

Nursery teacher

I realised that I really needed to work full time. Supply teaching is great for part-time work, but if I'm going to work full time, with all the additional work that entails, I might as well have the benefits of a contract.

I applied for a couple of short contracts and was offered the post of nursery teacher at a small primary school in central London.

Initially I have a one-term contract, with the possibility of becoming permanent after Easter if it suits all parties!

It's a great location as it is only 10 minutes' walk from university, so I can continue my art therapy course.

The course has been great for keeping my spirits up when the work has been thin on the ground. I've never spent so much time doing something for me.

I'd definitely like to practise eventually, ideally combining it with part-time teaching.

The paperwork is already beginning to mount up

To become fully qualified I need to take a diploma course.

The course is expensive and places are limited, so working full time for the rest of this year would help to raise the money and be ready to apply for entry in September 2004.

If this post works out, I'll have a permanent job again. The need for stability (and to pay the mortgage) has overridden the flexibility of supply teaching.

Although I will miss this flexible approach, I will be able to save for a diploma course and build links within a school which may eventually allow me to combine practising art therapy and teaching.

At time of writing I have just started in my new post. I have a very lovely class of three and four year olds and the staff are welcoming and supportive.

It's quite nice having the continuity of a full-time class, although the paperwork is already beginning to mount up and I will have to take care not to get snowed under.

I am looking forward to this term, continuing my course and getting stuck into some real teaching again.

Time will tell as to whether the longer hours and heavier workload are manageable, but I'll be glad of the paid holidays and the regular salary again.

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