Part-time work, full-time life

It’s no secret that teaching is a demanding job with a seemingly ever-increasing workload. It’s therefore unsurprising that teachers are leaving in droves, with science teachers particularly likely to quit. One option is to go part-time, dropping one or more days per week and either living with the resulting pay cut or seeking alternative income to make up the difference. But while some schools may be open to this idea for teachers with care responsibilities at home or those approaching retirement, there’s often less acceptance for staff who want to cut their hours to pursue other employment or interests outside the classroom.