A Guide to Teaching, Parenting and Creating Family Friendly Schools

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”

"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

The MaternityTeacher/PaternityTeacher Project is the UK’s charity for parent-teachers, inspiring, empowering and connecting teachers choosing to complete professional development whilst on parental leave. Made up of coaches, regional representatives, advocates, volunteers and community members across the UK, The MTPT Project work to make teaching and educational leadership a sustainable, family-friendly career choice.

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.

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