How to ask for appointment time off without revealing pregnancy (teacher)

[SenoraSurf]

I'm off work due to sickness today and have just had my booking appointment confirmed for next Thursday.
I only started my current school in September and felt awful about having a sick day today (I feel guilty even though I couldn't have worked).

Now I'm even more nervous about asking for time off for booking appointment. It's at 10.30 so will be off for most of the school day but could make it back for last lesson period 5 and hopefully some of period 4.

What's the best way to ask for the time off without having to tell them I'm pregnant? Or is it easier to tell head of department I'm pregnant? Or the head?
So confused and grateful for any advice.

Be up front with headteacher it saves a lot of worry and also if there is an out break like slap check or chIcken pox you can be informed.

I was outed early during my second pregnancy as the school sent me home when a few children in my class came down with slap check. But better to be safe.

Last year I was in a similar situation: a few weeks’ pregnant when starting new teaching job, reluctant to take time off for appointments and didn’t want to tell the school yet.

My practice midwife was able in the end to get me a booking appointment at the local hospital (rather than GP surgery) for a Sunday morning (I also worked Saturdays). They don’t usually do them there so they couldn’t give all the usual leaflets etc, but they did the main booking in questionnaire. I wonder whether this might be possible for you too if you would prefer. If you’re like me you may find generating cover a faff in itself!

Congratulations on your pregnancy

I told my school I needed a blood test, and like you I lived far from the school so would be a while. I managed to book the earliest appointment and was back before lunchtime.

You are legally entitled to time off, don’t ring in sick. Don’t feel guilty.

New job and pregnant I am not surprised you do not want to break our good news. I went back pregnant again after having 12 months off on maternity leave, no one ever commented negatively but I know they were not best pleased.

I'd personally try to rearrange the appointment for first thing in the morning or last appointment of the day if it meant I was inconveniencing my work place for all but one hour of the day.

I know we are entitled to reasonable time off but I think the pregnant lady also needs to give a bit back to their employer.

You are entitled to time off for anrnatal appointments, but only if they know you are pregnant. Personally, I’ve always just told my boss and asked them to keep it to themselves until I’m ready to tell the office, so that there’s no issue with appointments or if I’m off with sickness (if it’s pregnancy related it can’t count against you but, again, they have to know for this to count)

Your oriority here is your health and that if your baby.
Have the appt and don’t feel guilty. A man wouldn’t.

I started a new school after Feb half term a few years ago and gad to tell them I was pregnant in March. I had DS in the October! They were nothing but supportive and although the timing for them wasn’t great they never made me feel guilty at all about it.

@Buggeroffbingbunny I think I'm going to go and see the head on Monday and tell him. I've been bed bound with nausea the past 2 days so doubt I'll be able to hide feeling crap much longer. How does it work? Do I just book a meeting and be like, hey, I'm pregnant but I'm due in summer and definitely plan to return to work. And Thanks?
He's not a hands on guy, ive only spoke to him once since my interview!

Doesn't sound great, does he? Is the deputy head any more approachable? Sometimes an in-between can be helpful but I appreciate that then two people who know.

I had to tell my manager about my first pregnancy at around 8 or 9 weeks. I was having my annual appraisal and she was discussing all these plans and staffing arrangements. I just had to say something so she could adjust it. It's unfortunate but sometimes it is the better option.

@SenoraSurf

Pretty much yep! You are not obliged to tell them
your plans to return to work yet, but I did tell mine I would likely take 9 months off and look to return part time. Knowing in advance helps them to prepare.

If you don’t tell comfortable telling the head do you have a HR department could tell instead?

@gallicgirl in honesty, the entire SLT are the same. I'm in a big school and rarely venture from my department and thus not many other folk venture in either.

@Buggeroffbingbunny I teach all te HR ladies children, so can't help but feel that would be risky, I don't think I trust them at this stage.

I haven't even told my family yet but feel so bad lying to work. I wouldn't want them to think I'm a Micky taker when being pregnant is a valid reason :( such a crappy predicament. Though, I know I'm likely making a mountain of a mole hill!

As you are not well . I wouldn’t postpone appointment or not tell school. They might be delighted however the maternity pay won’t change depending on when you tell them

@Starlight456 I only started at this school (academy) in September, so believe I'm only going to get SMP anyway unfortunately

Make an appointment with the Head or your head of department if they can authorise time off. Tell them you have a medical appointment and will be in school from 2pm (or whenever you will arrive). Provide proof of your appointment to HR when you return to school after the appointment. They shouldn't ask you what the appointment is for. If they do, you can say you'd rather not discuss it.

The school will be used to having people take parental leave and will have things in place to cover you. Do not feel obliged to tell them your return to work plans yet. You don't have to confirm until you're actually off on maternity leave.

Thanks @burblife . So you don't think tell the head I'm PG? Just that I have an appointment? Also, what counts as proof in your opinion? The appointment came through as a text to my phone and am yet to receive any sort of letter confirmation (very technological for me lol).

That would be my advice. It worked for me twice (second time last week). Just be aware though as previous poster said, I think you only have maternity rights once they know about the pregnancy. So if you need more time off for sickness you may need to tell them the reason.

I received an appointment card but only just before I went for the appointment. You could just say your surgery doesn't send them out and that you'll show them if/when you get one.

Quick update- I asked the head for a meeting but was going to be a couple of weeks away. Instead I sent an email stating a had a doctors appointment and he granted the time off during the morning.
The midwife was half an hour late and stayed for 1 hour 15 so I'm glad I based my return to work time on the maximum end of the spectrum!
Thanks all for your comments

Glad you got the time off from your head. Hope the appointment went well, and that everything goes fine when you do tell the school.