Decisions, decisions

Every September since I started supply teaching, things have been a little slow, then something has always come along that was OK, followed by something really good.

Well, I just got my first two Hospital School patients. I'm supposed to see them on Friday at their homes. I also have a couple of days in my favourite school, and I've been asked to cover maternity leave there from the end of October to July. Trouble is, it's full time. No days off in the week, no trips to the zoo or the shopping centre when there are no kids around.

On the plus side, combined with my pension, the money I would earn would pay off my rather large credit card bill, and maybe buy a new car or replace my conservatory before the broken door falls on my head. (I could get it fixed if any damn builder or glazier would actually keep his word and to it for me...)

So - do I keep on with the part-time work with the Hospital School and other bits that come up, some of which will be great; or do I give up the best part of a year's worth of days off, take the money at a school that I love, and limp my exhausted way towards next summer and a belated rest?