Short description:

The MTPT Handbook is a lifeline for both educators aspiring to combine their passion for teaching with becoming a parent, and the school leader who wants to empower them. It will provide you with the guidance and cheerleading that you need to fulfil your personal and professional aspirations.

Long description:

At The MTPT Project we know that teaching can be a sustainable career choice for parents, and in this essential handbook, we show you how.

Supported by case studies celebrating the best that the family friendly schools and happy teachers in our community have to offer, this book is a lifeline for both educators aspiring to combine their passion for teaching with becoming a parent, and the school leader who wants to empower them. However you become a parent, or choose to grow your family and your career, this handbook will provide you with the guidance and cheerleading that you need to fulfil your personal and professional aspirations.

The book is divided into nine chapters, guiding readers from the first considerations of family planning, all the way through to the reality that some teachers and leaders may choose to leave classrooms for good. Each chapter includes:

• the latest research on working families








• legalities associated with different stages of working parenthood (including discrimination and how to avoid it as an employer and address it as an employee)








• case studies from our community








• suggestions for individuals and schools








• recommended further reading.

Each chapter will help you to navigate the journey from planning a family, to stepping in and out of teaching to suit your parenting needs, to creating family friendly working environments, whatever your role in school. With its mixture of research-informed solutions, hints and tips, this text is perfect for colleagues embarking on their parenting journey and school leaders who want to take practical steps to retain and empower valued colleagues.

"I am thrilled to endorse this important and comprehensive book focusing on the practical, psychological and organisational considerations of these critical issues. Through shining a light into sometimes uncomfortable or unexamined spaces in our system, the authors provide an informed and rigorous resource to support individuals and organisations. A powerful and useful addition to the education and leadership literature."

Liz Robinson, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Big Education

Table of Contents:

CONTENTS

Foreword from Dame Vivienne Porritt

Introduction

1. Planning for a Baby: Should we ?Leave Before we Leave??





Claire Neaves









2. Expectant Teachers: Breeders or Leaders?





Naomi Shenton









3. What is the Right Way to do Childcare Leave?





Charlotte Bell









4. MaternityCPD / PaternityCPD ? Celebrating Choice





Lucy Hemsley









5. Rate of Return: Investing in Colleagues Returning from Parental Leave





Charlotte Woolley









6. Work Like You Don?t Have Kids?





Flo Keith









7. "Family Friendly", or Simply Good Leadership?





Emma Sheppard









8. Baby, Come Back!? Supporting Teachers Returning to the Classroom





Sherish Osman









9. Time to Say Goodbye?

          Jennifer McCloskey

Afterword from Bridget Clay