Pregnant teachers - return to school?

[sunshinefordays]

I'm a secondary school teacher in London and 19 weeks pregnant (first baby). I'm really interested to hear from other pregnant teachers (or indeed pregnant women who can't do their job as effectively from home).

My school is provisionally starting to plan for a return to school after May half term (not sure whether this would be phased or the whole school, and obviously would depend on government advice). A consultant obstetrician at my hospital yesterday told me they would advise me not to return to school if it reopened in June, especially as I would be pretty much in the 3rd trimester by that point. She advised me to get in touch with my school to explain, and I suppose give them a heads up.

Is anyone else in the same situation? Has your school said anything to you about expecting you to come back/not expecting you to come back before your baby is due? I'm a bit worried about being forced to start maternity leave early (i.e. during the summer term rather than in September when baby is actually due) which would obviously have big financial implications.

It would be great to hear from others!

I think you need to have a conversation with your school. In normal times you might trigger maternity leave early by staying off due to health issues but there will be other teachers in vulnerable groups who may be allowed to stay off on full pay and this could be seen as discrimination if you are treated differently to them on the basis of maternity.

I’ve heard from my school about a ‘new’ statement that has come out saying the risk is only for 3rd trimester women and those in their 1st and 2nd trimester should follow the same guidelines as the general public unless they have other underlying health conditions. I’m 15 weeks currently so if we are back after the May break I’ll return to school as the end of the year would bring me to the start of the 3rd trimester. My head has advised not working after 28 weeks, so if nothing changes I wouldn’t be able to return in September - please God let it be over by then - which hopefully wouldn’t trigger an earlier maternity because that wouldn’t be my choice at all.

I’m a college tutor and was told to go home the day after the government briefing advising pregnant women self isolate for 12 weeks. HOD told me she expected the college would close but the end of the week and that exams would be cancelled and she was correct. I was told not to expect to return before my mat leave starts in early July.

I’m 27 weeks pregnant so even if the college bothered reopening in a month or so (unlikely and pointless now exams have been cancelled) I would be way into the third trimester and it would be too risky.

I am only 11 weeks pregnant and am a teacher. I am currently not being put on the rota to come in. I was told by my head of department that they are not sure where I (and other vulnerable teachers) stand and will be waiting for further government guidance. Such a worrying time :(

I'm in the same position. Currently 23 weeks so will be into 3rd trimester when/if schools go back. Our local authority has just done a survey for schools asking how many vulnerable/pregnant members of staff they have. I don't expect I'll be asked to go back to work - I emailed this week quoting the advice for women in 3rd trimester needing to take extra care with social distancing. I'm happy to still do planning, reports etc from home. There will be other members of staff who will be reluctant to go back too as have vulnerable people living at home so I think the point about not discriminating against pregnant ladies by enforcing early mat leave makes sense. I was planning to start mat leave on my due date, mid Aug, which I feel a bit cheeky about now especially if I'm not actually teaching. I think my head teacher will be anxious about having me on site to be honest, and I imagine they'll be a phased return so there may be spare teachers around who could cover anyway. I won't be going back... Will just have suck it up and take early mat leave if needed.

I wouldn't be that surprised if schools are back in part-time form after May half term. I guess it's just a case of 'wait and see' which is what causes the stress of uncertainty.
I'm only 9+3 but my headteacher and HOD know I'm pregnant and have kept me off the in-school closure rota. I'm not sure what our HR department would say about going back TBH and I'm a little torn: I really love my job and am genuinely missing being in school. But I also want to make sure I keep myself safe.
I am not overly worried at the moment but am hoping that, prior to return of schools, there will be clearer guidelines and clear union advice.

I'm wondering about this too. I'm only 10 weeks and found out as we went into lockdown - there has been no mention yet of when we will be going back but I have to admit I am apprehensive. I'm secondary bit I still can't imagine the students maintaining social distancing, and the school is so crowded anyway. I'm also not sure what would happen as my childcare is my mum, who is now having to be shielded. There are so many variables to consider.

I'm also 19 weeks and like you said, we enter the third trimester at the end of the 12 week shielding. I reckon we will be able told not to return as we will be third trimester.

I'm just in my third trimester so haven't been put on the rota for the smaller school operating at the moment. I also know that someone who is under 12 weeks said she was advised by her midwife not to be in and they have taken that for now and she isn't on the rota. Saying that I'm not sure if that'd taken for the rest of the year if things do go back to 'normal' for her.

I had to write my letter advising when I was going on maternity leave, and stated that if everything was 'normal' I would leave on the specified date towards the end of June. However, if I'm required to work from home following guidelines, will take maternity leave on day of delivery. I was really helpfully advised by the Head that unless I can't work for a maternity-based medical reason, I wouldn't have to take leave any earlier because it's a government decision if that makes sense. Can't remember how she worded it!!! Although we are pretty sure it would be a phased return, it would still be pretty impossible to adequately socially-distance as per third trimester guidelines in a huge secondary school!!

Thank you for all the replies! It's also just nice to know you're not alone in this situation. I will get in touch with my school next week.

If the government do decide to partially reopen schools then it will be in conjunction with the unions and medical advice.

I'd imagine that only some children will return in order to maintain social distancing and therefore schools would still operate on a rota basis.

High risk groups and pregnant women will not be required to join the rotas as they would still be at greater risk of contracting the virus.

If your particular school does reopen, even partially, then the first place to look for advice would be your union.

They cannot trigger your mat leave early as you are not ill, you would be following government advice.

Not quite the same, I'm (was) a trainee and like a PP said was phoned the morning after they put us in the at risk catagory and told not to come in. A few have mentioned schools reopening after half term, would be interested to hear more. I was planning on doing supply in September as am due in October but if schools are still closed that's going to be a non-starter and if they are open but we're told to steer clear that's also a non-starter 😑 and leave us Inna difficult situation financially.

I'm 9+4 so had just found out I was pregnant as schools were closing - I was off in the run up due to IVF treatment so havent been in school since the beginning of March. I work for a secondary school and out MAT issued a statement saying anyone that was vulnerable (this included all pregnant women) needed to isolate for 12 weeks, that would take me to mid-June regardless of whether schools open again or not. I am worried about going back after that as this has been a very hard fought for pregnancy and I've had previous miscarriages. My manager emailed me the other week regarding doing work at home and told me that my health and the baby's were of paramount importance so not to do anything if I was unwell (I've been having bleeding) so I'm hoping they I'll be quite understanding of my fears when the time comes to go back.

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@Pinktruffle - that is a very reassuring email from your manager - I really hope your pregnancy goes smoothly and that school remain supportive. It sounds like the school really want you and baby to be safe.