When to take mat leave? (Work in a school)

[CathyandHeathcliff]

I am due 20th Oct. I work in a school so I don't get annual leave. I just get the school holidays.

I was thinking trying to continue until 35/36 weeks if I can.
My job is quite demanding so I don't want to be there right until the end.

Plan for that but you can go earlier if you need to. Don't forget that work are meant to make reasonable adjustments-things like fewer duties. My current head has been really on the ball with all this.

Plan for that but you can go earlier if you need to. Don't forget that work are meant to make reasonable adjustments-things like fewer duties. My current head has been really on the ball with all this.

Plan for that but you can go earlier if you need to. Don't forget that work are meant to make reasonable adjustments-things like fewer duties. My current head has been really on the ball with all this.

Sorry about repeated posts, phone was telling me it hadn't posted 🙄

My due date was very similar last year , I work with Children with additional needs.I had planned to come back for a week after the summer holidays which would take me to 36 weeks and managed 3 days back only.

Obviously everyone is different though. You will probably be just fine as long as your back is holding up okay.

I think what I found hard was springing back into full time work at 34 weeks pregnant after having 6 weeks off! Good luck making your decision.

Thank you.

I was thinking if I go at 35 weeks, I'll only be back for two weeks after the summer hols, or is it better to leave in the summer hols and let the kids get used to the replacement they'll be getting in for me? Because they're quite attached to me, that long stretch over summer will help them mostly forget.
I'd be 33 weeks.

I plan to try and go on upto 38 weeks (also a teacher). But as a sexondary teacher i know they have replaced me for mat leave cover and that I'll be a 'spare part' so I won't have huge amounts to do. If I feel I need to go earlier I think mat leave kicks in if you're off ill any tine within one month of due dste anyway so you can def go early if you feel the need!

This was me last year too. I left around 7th October and baby was due on the 17th. However I am head of faculty and wanted to do a proper handover and let my replacement shadow me in terms of teaching and not the responsibility. I felt fine until that point and enjoyed my time before the baby arrived. It’s entirely up to yourself, and also how you feel. Also think about when you would be going back - would it be at the end of the summer term or the beginning of the next academic year?

I’ve had September babies twice (well, pregnant with dc2 who is due in September this year at the moment). With dc1 I worked until 3 days before I went in to be induced, so to 39 weeks, and this time I’m going to 38 weeks. I can only afford 6 months off with my babies, so want to take it after the birth. If I’d gone off at 33 weeks and ended up kicking my heels around for 9 weeks I’d have felt really cross with myself.
It’s important to do what is best for you, not for the school, no matter how much that goes against the grain! Are your school not employing your maternity cover to start in September? If they are then you might find yourself without a timetable and just doing bits of support and intervention, which is quite a nice way to spend a few weeks

I agree, do what's best for you and you can always go early if you need to. I'm currently almost 37 weeks and am going back for 2 weeks so I'll be 38+5 when I go off. Personally I'd rather have time the other side but all you can do is see how you feel. I'm pretty active im general and haven't had a tough pregnancy so it's been ok working late.

If you want to you can put the first day of the September term as your start date, meaning you'll have the 6 weeks before off too. I personally would do a week or 2 after the hols. Like a PP said, your replacement will already be there so you may well be on light duties anyway.

@CathyandHeathcliff I have no idea how this would work in a school but, could you work alongside your 'replacement' for the last two weeks so you can do a bit of a handover? That's what we usually do at my work when someone goes on mat leave. Ensure there is a bit of a crossover so any training/handing over can be done before the mat leave starts.

I'm set to start mat leave at 39 weeks...that was a mistake and I don't work with children or in a job I consider overly demanding.

Don't be like me.

Next time I plan on 36th week, for the job you described I'd think week 35 minimum before going on mat leave.

@GreenMeerkat That seems sensible but in practice schools aren't always that organised... I'm teaching a full timetable up till the end.

@LeighaJ Sorry you're struggling. But I think saying week 35 minimum isn't always necessary. Some people might need it but plenty of people are still capable of working.late.

Oh my goodness! I am also a teacher and my due date is also Oct 20th! I am also thinking of leaving at 35/36 weeks but have also considered not returning after the summer holidays but I don’t know if 7 weeks straight after a 6 week break would make me go slightly potty, as this is my first baby so I would just be home alone as DH works full time. Also if we choose not to return after the summer holidays, will they take our first day of maternity as Monday 3rd September?

I’ve just started mine- I’m 37 weeks. Luckily though I had the Easter holidays until Wednesday and went back for 2 days to finish off on Thursday and Friday.

I'm a teacher and intend to be teaching until the end of my 37th week. My school are not on the ball particularly in terms of helping me though and are expecting to observe me at 33 weeks (5 people coming to watch one lesson, the joys!) so I may not be able to manage it!

I was due the same date last year and worked right up to it. However my replacement had already been hired so I didn't have to do much teaching by the end. I prefer to have the time off once I've had the child.

@Addy2 5 people coming to watch one lesson?! I know I'm going off-topic but why?! Genuinely curious!

I'm due 28th May. Originally said I'd work til 38 weeks but have struggled so much with energy levels and workload. Now I'm leaving at 36 weeks (two weeks time!) and these last two weeks are going to be supporting the maternity cover and getting my reports started.

@RBM9 yes

@Surreygirl, they call it 'Co-coaching' but it is essentially a formal observation where instead of just the head and deputy, there's also every other teacher in your year group. There is no coaching element whatsoever. They are doing it with every teacher in the school. For no discernible reason.

Thank you for all your very helpful replies

At the other end of it, could I say I'm returning at the start of the summer holidays, then get paid for the 6 weeks as I'm 'back at work' and then return for 'real' after the summer hols? If that makes sense.

Check your contact also as the way where I am specifically say you're can't work for the 2 weeks before due date so would have to finish at 38 weeks at the latest.
I finished at the Feb half term. I ended school at 34weeks although officially started maternity leave at 35 weeks after the week break... Just as well in my case as was in and out of Gosfield 5 times over the following two weeks and ended up being induced early at 37 weeks.
I plan to go back for a week or 10 days before the end of term (ds will be 16 weeks old and then have the summer holidays and return properly at the beginning of new school year when he will be 6 months - can't afford to take any more..