Table Of ContentA 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 considera-
tions 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:
llthe latest research on working families
lllegalities associated with different stages of working parenthood (including dis-
crimination and how to avoid it as an employer and address it as an employee)
llcase studies from our community
llsuggestions for individuals and schools
llrecommended 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 practi-
cal steps to retain and empower valued colleagues.
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 sustaina-
ble, family friendly career choice.
“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
A Guide to
Teaching,
Parenting and
Creating Family
Friendly Schools
The MaternityTeacher
PaternityTeacher Project
Handbook
Edited by Emma Sheppard
(founder of The MTPT Project)
Designed cover image: © Getty Images
First edition published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 selection and editorial matter, Emma Sheppard; individual chapters,
the contributors
The right of Emma Sheppard to be identified as the author of the editorial
material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted in
accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-1-032-04360-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-04361-6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-19163-6 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003191636
Typeset in Melior
by codeMantra
To the wonderful parents, teachers and volunteers that make up The
MTPT Project Community and our ecosystem of supporters within and
outside education.
To Hugo, who inspired us to get started, and Lucie who gave us the time to
grow. Our children, our greatest achievements – you empower us to be our
best selves.
Contents
Acknowledgements viii
All about The MTPT Project ix
Author Biographies xi
Foreword xiii
Introduction 1
1 Planning for a Baby: Should We ‘Leave before We Leave’? 10
CLAIRE NEAVES
2 Expectant Teachers: Breeders or Leaders? 36
NAOMI SHENTON
3 What Is the Right Way to Do Childcare Leave? 69
CHARLOTTE BELL
4 Maternity/PaternityCPD – Celebrating Choice 104
LUCY HEMSLEY
5 Rate of Return: Investing in Colleagues Returning from Parental Leave 129
CHARLOTTE WOOLLEY
6 Work Like You Don’t Have Kids… 160
FLO KEITH
7 ‘Family Friendly’, or Simply Good Leadership? 195
EMMA SHEPPARD
8 Baby, Come Back! Supporting Teachers Returning to the Classroom 230
SHERISH OSMAN
9 Time to Say Goodbye? 258
JENNIFER MCCLOSKEY
Afterword – ‘You Can Only Be What You Can See’ 281
Index 287
vii
Acknowledgements
A number of people have contributed to the production of this book, in addition to
our nine chapter leads, and numerous case studies. We would like to thank them
for their time, energy, patience and expertise.
Jack Worth
Karen Wespieser
Shona Swan
Lindsay Patience
Lucy Rose
Bridget Clay
The #MTPTproject Community
Kim Cunningham
Madeleine Fresko-Brown
Gemma Molyneux
viii
All about The MTPT
Project
The MTPT Project are a welcoming and inspiring community of parent-teachers
who love to chat, listen and share experiences without judgement. We celebrate
choice and tackle the big issues and the small with optimism, pragmatism and –
often – coffee.
We empower you to do what works for you as a parent-teacher in a number of
ways:
llVirtual and in-person networking including regular social media content and
coffee mornings
ll1:1 and group coaching over the parental leave and return to work period, and
for teachers who have young families
llTraining workshops for individuals and schools
llConsultation and coaching for schools as part of our Schools Membership
package
llResearch into teacher parents, particularly female teachers aged 30–39
llConference appearances and presentations
llMedia and podcast content
llFormal partnerships with schools, multi-academy trusts and CPD providers
llA website packed with maternity/paternityCPD ideas and inspiring case studies
Twitter: @mtptproject (formerly @maternityCPD) is our Twitter account, where
we are most active. Our main hashtag is #MTPTproject but community members
also use #maternityCPD #paternityCPD #maternityteacher #paternityteacher and
#MTPTchat to share their experiences. The hashtags #MTPTchat, #mentorme and
#letmementor are also used for different campaigns throughout the year.
ix
