Pregnant teachers- going on day trip

[Gardenspades]

We’re booked to go to a zoo 1 hour away when I’ll be 30 weeks. Is it fair to ask a colleague to swap me?

I opted out of a trip to the zoo at 35 weeks in July. I didn’t even need to ask as SLT thought it might be too much. All these people who say you’re unreasonable have obviously never been a class teacher on a trip. I had some additional things going on as I was high risk at particular risk of prem labour, but I think even without that SLT wouldn’t have counted me in the numbers. I would definitely talk to your line manager about it.

That sucks.

I wouldn't have done it. Approach it with SLT.

Seriously! Some of the responses on here are unbelievable. Anyone who has ever been on a school trip knows how physically and mentally exhausting it is for the class teacher. While TAs and parents may help, the ultimate responsibility falls on the teacher. Now imagine taking on that level of stress and physical demand while heavily pregnant. Long hours on your feet, managing a group of children in a busy environment, and handling unexpected challenges—it's simply not safe. The well-being of the teacher should come first. Expecting a heavily pregnant teacher to go on a trip isn’t just unreasonable—it’s irresponsible.

Chances are that the op will have done the risk assessment herself. She will also have been on the pre trip visit (in her own time at her own expense) so will know exactly how much walking is involved.

Enrichment is encouraged in schools by SLT and also organisations like OFSTED like them.

Going in a school trip is nothing like a day trip,with your own family, even if you have several children.

We have some staff who, for different reasons, can't do a full school trip - they are still excellent teaching staff!

I'm not sure you can get signed off sick for just one day!

The OP can likely do her normal day to day job perfectly fine.

fWIW at my school other teaching staff, and non teaching staff for the matter, would swap to support a member of staff who was struggling. We're a fab team and look out for one another.

Whoever said SLT arrange trips , I have worked in 6 schools, including 3 as SLT. I have never known SLT to organise trips. It’s always class teachers, SLT usually ok risk assessments and are contacts in school but that is it ( primary anyway) , no actual work or organisation. Occasionally the head/ deputy has come along as an adult to help ratios but still doesn’t take the lead.