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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Pregnant teacher - work load!

38 replies

Rose59 · 23/01/2020 20:52

Hi, does anyone know if a school can bring forward a planned parents evening and expect you to do it, just before you go on maternity leave?
I have 4 weeks left at school before I go on maternity and I have just been emailed asking if I can do parents evening before I go. I will speak to my teaching union in the morning but wondering if anyone else had experienced this. 1. it is not enough notice 2. I will be heavily pregnant. A day working with 4 years heavily pregnant has been enough for me, let alone following the day with a load of parent meetings. Thank you in advance.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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NC4THISandTHAT · 23/01/2020 21:21

I support schools who value their staff.... Happy staff, happy kids 👍

LH1987 · 23/01/2020 21:32

Ofcourse they can move it forward, as in any job when project deadlines are moved up in advance of maternity leave. You have every right to refuse but I think it looks a bit unprofessional

CatEnabler · 23/01/2020 21:32

@Rose59 The Union should and always be your port of call not MN by using MN for issues like these you run the risk of colleagues/ SLT/ governors seeing posts like this and possibly identifying you. I hope Rose is not you're real name. All the best. All I can advise is put your health and the sake of your baby ahead of parents and students. That will be the Union Line I'm sure. I don't know how easy your pregnancy has been.

Wishforsnow · 23/01/2020 21:36

Can't see why one evening is such a massive issue and you would rather run to your union. The request seems reasonable.

PanicAndRun · 23/01/2020 21:42

I know this is going to suck massively if you end up doing a full day. Tbh, I don't know if they can force you but if you get into a "dig your heels in" situation it will leave a bitter taste on both sides. Can you agree for you to be off on the day, or go in after lunch?

Hopefully they'll give you some leeway if you're willing to go in and do it.

cabbageking · 23/01/2020 21:45

You know the children and where they are and the reasons why.

It would be sensible and reasonable for you to do this feedback to parents. If you feel the day is going to be a problem speak to the Head about a break or support in the class so you can do the parents evening.

PanicAndRun · 23/01/2020 21:47

And the issue is it's not just one evening.
OP might be very lucky and go in at 8(most teachers I know are in at 7-7:30) have a full day of work, teaching,running around ,bathroom breaks and lunch are hit and miss. Then stay for several hours more (at DD's school the last appointment is at 7) when heavily pregnant,possibly still nauseous,hungry,tired etc.

She can easily work a 12 hour day,which is hard at the best of times. Not just one afternoon, or one evening.

EstebanTheMagnificent · 23/01/2020 22:23

How much notice are they giving you? I’m a teacher and I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request, I’m afraid.

You could refuse to do it and they probably won’t force you but if you intend to return to the same school it is wise to play the long game. Having now taken two maternity leaves and returned to work with small children who pick up absolutely everything in childcare, goodwill goes a very long way and it works both ways.

Could you ask for cover or support to lighten the load a little during the day before the parents’ evening?

schafernaker · 23/01/2020 23:46

Teacher here too, I’ve pushed my maternity start date right back to get my year 11s as close to their GCSEs as possible so I know the joys of trying to juggle (the plan is to go off 3 days before due date, this has been talked through with school and my timetable will be lightened to help this happen).

Could you not liaise with school about maybe you starting at lunch time that day and someone covering your class? Just so you aren’t too exhausted for the evening if you feel it’s a problem.

At the end of the day you need to do what is right for you and if you’re not happy with the plan then say no

Goldenmother · 24/01/2020 06:57

I think it would be better if you do the parents evening as you know the children and what they achieving target wise and what they need to work on the cover teacher will not have a clue, I fully understand what your saying about it being a long day at my school we spread it over 2 evening and it till 6pm, maybe you can ask for an afternoon start even if you have to be in the building doing PPA also you could suggest that morning your not in the class could be getting to know the teacher that will be covering your May leave

Goldenmother · 24/01/2020 06:58

*mat leave

roonilwazlibismynickname · 24/01/2020 07:02

I did parents evening on the day I went on maternity leave having taught all day it’s really not that big of a deal. And yes, it was til 7 and I was back to back with appointments the whole time

Redlocks28 · 24/01/2020 07:44

but if you intend to return to the same school it is wise to play the long game.

This is definitely worth considering. Do you want to go back afterwards? Do you want part time? Think carefully what you want. They are much less likely to be accommodating if you are inflexible.

No, I can see why you don’t want to do it-if there’s a choice between doing it or not.

Yes, I can see why the school want you to do it-looking at the big picture, it will be far better for the children and parents.

I would explain how tired you are and how this was unexpected but you do understand why they want this to happen and you wonder if they could timetable in a break for you, so that you e.g. came in late the next day? Reasonable adjustment etc. I wouldn’t start ringing the Union though-you May find all future goodwill from the school then goes out of the window.

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