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Original poster

Should teachers fall pregnant at Times to suit their classes?

117 replies

winterplease · 14/09/2019 08:19

I'm pregnant, I haven't had my scan yet, and so didn't want to tell my workplace until I've had the all clear at the first scan. I've been suffering morning sickness so felt like I needed to tell someone at work, so told my head of department . She keeps saying that I must inform the headteacher right away as I'm teaching GCSE AND A Level classes, and if they knew I was going to have a baby I wouldn't have had that timetable this year. She suggests I tell the head teacher and senior leadership team now so they have as much time as possible to sort my replacement.

This got me thinking, should teachers try and fall pregnant at times to suit the classes they teach? For me this wasn't possible as we had been trying for a while.

Name changed in case my manager is on here and can work out who I am from previous posts!

OP posts:
AltheaVestr1t · 14/09/2019 08:52

I’m an ex-teacher with two September babies!! When I told my head I was pregnant with my last child, she asked me if it was an accident, I assume to imply her utter disbelief that I would deliberately get pregnant at a time that was so inconvenient to her. No, it bloody wasn’t, thank you very much. Thankfully we still have the right to get pregnant whenever we choose.

Elodie2019 · 14/09/2019 08:53

Your HOD needs some management training.
The only reason you need to inform your HT ASAP is for H&S at work reasons.
As for the timetable, they will have plenty of time to find a solution.

seven201 · 14/09/2019 08:53

When will you be going on mat leave? You don't need to tell them until you are ready. Personally I'd wait until after 12 week scan. I bet your god tells them anyway. Do you think they'd change timetables now? I don't think they would at my school.

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poshme · 14/09/2019 08:54

No.

I had a parent complain that I should've timed my pregnancy so I only had to take the summer holidays off, rather than maternity leave.

Sewrainbow · 14/09/2019 08:55

Of course not!

I thought you were going to say some parents were getting precious that their little darlings is would miss out on the same teacher, but your head of year Shock

Gruzinkerbell1 · 14/09/2019 08:55

If only it was possible to get pregnant to a timetable Hmm Your colleague is being ridiculous.

Original poster
winterplease · 14/09/2019 08:55

@seven201 I wondered if she'd already told them and that's why she's so desperate for me to. Scan is in two weeks so not much longer. If the head knows then the. Whole senior leadership team will. It's a very cliquey school

OP posts:
Reversiblesequinsforadults · 14/09/2019 08:55

No. Although I would tell senior management about what your head of department said so they can tell her off for discrimination and you can stop feeling guilty.

seven201 · 14/09/2019 08:56

@poshme oh that is too funny!!!

I had a parent complain at parents' evening that her ks3 daughter had had a cover teacher for 2 weeks. I was early 30's and my mother had died!

ControversialFerret · 14/09/2019 08:57

One of the senior leaders popped into the office earlier this week and said 'oh my goodness, today is terrible, I'm managing a shitstorm' and flounced out again. My head of department turned to me and said 'oh good you've told them then?'

You go to her on Monday and tell her that you've only disclosed your pregnancy because you aren't feeling well, and as your line manager she needs to be aware for H&S reasons. However you are disappointed that she's been placing pressure on you to disclose your pregnancy more widely at an early stage when you don't feel ready, and that there's been some pointed and unpleasant comments made. That you would appreciate it if she could keep things on a professional basis and that you will decide when it's appropriate to speak to others and share your news.

BelindasGleeTeam · 14/09/2019 08:58

I had parents complaining when I had time off after we found out one of our pregnancies was incompatible with life and I had a TFMR.

Funnily enough I wasn't really in a state to teach

seven201 · 14/09/2019 08:59

I think tell your hod that you are waiting until after the scan. She needs to give her head a wobble for being so OTT about this. 2 weeks won't make any difference!

ControversialFerret · 14/09/2019 09:00

If she has told them, then I'd put in a formal complaint about your personal data being breached. You have disclosed confidential information about your health and legally she cannot pass this on to others without your express permission, unless it was an emergency.

WellButterMyArse · 14/09/2019 09:00

The question only arises when all women are able to choose to get pregnant at a specified time. Until then, there's not a lot of point asking questions about things you can't choose to do anyway.

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 14/09/2019 09:00

I'm a primary teacher and had to have "help" to conceive my first. I found out I was pregnant with her in the October after starting a new job. It was suggested to me (by my head) that if I had been intending to get pregnant I shouldn't have moved jobs. My dh had a new job himself in the other side of the country... I wasn't about to stay on my own and/or stop my fertility treatment just because of my job.

Brefugee · 14/09/2019 09:00

I'll go one further. I think that due to the conditions of most teacher contracts, they should try to have their child during term time so they get paid over the holidays. September would be ideal for a teacher for that, I think?

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 14/09/2019 09:01

I tried for a September baby but for me, not my class. It ended in an EMC and am still TTC now.

I can see the frustrations of parents though. My DD’s EYFS2 teacher went on maternity leave in December. She was brilliant and the replacement wasn’t. I felt that their first year of primary wasn’t the best time to have a change of teacher but reminded myself to get a grip.

C8H10N4O2 · 14/09/2019 09:03

So your HoD said outright that if they had known you were going to be pregnant she would have discriminated against you in the workplace?

Perhaps you might mention that when you tell the head.

Its a job, employers, particuarly employers who survive thanks to the good will and extras from women workers, might want to remind themselves of the sex discrimination act

YoTheGinPussyOfStMawesOnThigh · 14/09/2019 09:03

In Mumsnet parlance tell them to give their heads a wobble, never heard such nonsense. Wanders off shaking head sadly and muttering darkly.

xtinak · 14/09/2019 09:07

I thought legally you don't have to tell anyone until 25 weeks. I think it's terrible that you feel pressured to reveal this before you are ready for your employer's convenience. I think the law is clear on this one. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though.

user00119922 · 14/09/2019 09:07

No. Do not feel like you must tell anyone until you're ready. It's a job and your heads responsibility to organise sufficient cover.

I am a teacher and after having two miscarriage was not prepared to tell my head until I was ready to. Luckily for me, I have a brilliant relationship with my head of department so felt able to tell her before she timetabled my classes for this September. So we were able to avoid any 'top set' GCSE classes and A level.

But I must stress that your work is your job not your whole life (which is how I once felt). You have as much right as every other pregnant woman in the world and can tell people when you're ready.

bookishtartlet · 14/09/2019 09:07

You are replaceable, you know this. Do not let them make you feel bad about this. My son was born in May, right before the kids exams (I'm in Scotland, they are earlier). Not once was it even mentioned that I had three exam classes. If you get even a hint of discrimination get right on to your union who can accompany you to any meetings. Good luck!

cansu · 14/09/2019 09:09

She is being utterly ridiculous and is actually suggesting that you would have been given a crap timetable if they had known. I actually wouldn't tell them until after your scan and I would be ready to be firm with them if they attempted to start pissing about swapping classes. Knowing eight months in advance does not help as they would not be advertising yet for a maternity cover. Wait and do it in your own time. If she says anything again be ready with a calm assertive answer. Maybe something like 'It's good of you to be so interested but obviously I will inform SLT in plenty of time for them to make suitable arrangements for my maternity leave.'

indianbackground · 14/09/2019 09:10

No - teachers have personal lives.

A question for teachers - how do they work out who teaches gcse or Alevel? Is it on a rota? It would seem stupid to plan around a pregame teacher. Would it be less favourable or just different to get non exam classes?

Voiletgold · 14/09/2019 09:10

Is this your first baby? Seriously you won't even care when your little precious baby is here. I started a new job already pregnant I was so worried about telling my employer. I look back now and realise there was no need to worry. All I care about now if my beautiful daughter, its great being a mum. Work is just work!

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