Pregnant teachers going to school?

[SophieInTheSky]

I am 12 weeks pregnant, and since the start of lockdown I haven’t gone to work l to look after key worker children, as HR agreed I should stay at home at the moment, especially as enough staff have volunteered.

However, what will happen when schools open sometime in June (probably?). I can’t imagine having to stay at home until the start of my maternity leave.

Any other pregnant teachers here wondering the same? What do you think, will we be told to stay at home or to come to school? Have your schools said anything yet?

I'm in the same position as you! 12+6 here and haven't been into school since lockdown was announced. I really hope we will be allowed back into school in some capacity. It will break my heart if I can't teach my lovely reception class.

My head has already told me I’ll be staying home but also that as they are not expecting all students back at once and there will be vulnerable children who are unable to attend or have vulnerable people at home so parents won’t want to send them in, there will be plenty of work for me to do from home that will support the staff going in and teaching. My school are lovely though and really take care of their staff!

@SophieInTheSky

I posted about this a few weeks ago Here's a link to what others posted:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/3890452-Pregnant-teachers-return-to-school

I've since been in touch with my school and they have said they will follow whatever the government advice is, so if it means staying away from school then so be it, but unsure what that would mean practically in terms of still teaching!

Thank you for this - I did a search but didn’t come across your post. I’ll read it later. Interesting times for everyone, I’m happy not to go back if that’s the advice, but practically is it doable?

The problem is that pregnant women are in the 'vulnerable' group not the shielding. So it isn't just a case of pregnant teachers going back, if they decide vulnerable groups aren't going back in includes asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, neurological conditions like MS, and so on. Those are all conditions in the same 'vulnerable' group as pregnancy and that would take out a lot of teachers. I just can't see how schools would run with that many off.

At this point, I am not expecting to go back before my maternity leave starts (I am due in August, which is when my mat leave would start) - if schools reopen before the summer holidays I will be in my third trimester which is deemed to be riskier and therefore according to the current guidance I would continue to work from home. It was made clear at the governors meeting this week (via Zoom, I hasten to add!) that school is not be expecting me to go back if school were to reopen - they spent a long time discussing the financial implications of 'the staff member who won't be able to return' if we reopen before September which was delightfully awkward to sit through, knowing full well it was me even though I wasn't named and shamed!!

@Quarantinequeen

You’re absolutely right, so many people are in the vulnerable group. So much to think about, I really wonder what’s going to happen. I want to go back to school!

I've no idea about this, my school was really supportive when we were initially put in the vulnerable group but they obviously can't keep everyone in that group off long term. I think if it is decided that schools will reopen very gradually, to allow for as much social distancing as possible (we all know that's pretty much impossible in schools) then we'll be kept off as fewer staff will be needed in school. I hope this is the case - I don't like the idea of being off for so long (due in Oct) or leaving my exam classes once again - but I like the thought of being ill and potentially causing harm to my baby far less. It's a worrying time all round and I'm not confident in the government's ability to make the right decision...