Pregnant teacher in covid tier 4

[Luckynumber5]

Hi all,
I’m just wondering what precautions are being put in place for pregnant teachers in schools in tier 4 (am in London) with the new more contagious covid variant? RCOG (and my doctor) says strict social distancing and doctor also advised wearing a mask. Currently 24 weeks pregnant but very worried about getting sick with covid after CDC research showed pregnant women 4x more likely to go to ICU, especially in 3rd trimester. Midwife also said pregnant women with covid need to be checked for blood clots. Local authority and Union will support working from home after 28 wks. School have said they will support this too. Wondering if there have been any changes for anyone with increased risk in school? Legally, the workplace must not pose any additional risk to staff than outside the workplace so I’m interested to see what schools are doing to meet this obligation.

P.S please no posting of replies saying ‘pregnant women at no higher risk’ as my doctor has clearly told me this is not the case.

I gave a sick note to my employer today and she has asked me to keep an eye on the digital platform for my class. Surely this isn't right?! But what do I say back to her as I don't want her to have it in for me.

@Keyboard91 that article is worrying! I'm just glad teachers get to stay at home (most of the time now). Also, I would suggest telling them as soon as you feel ready to. I didn't want to tell my school at first but I knew that if I did they would have to do a risk assessment for me.

@LittleRa that’s great news!

@WildCard14 absolutely not! A GP has provided a note to say you’re not fit to work ... that means no work or contact from school about work!

I may tell them depending on what the keyworker rotation looks like I think. 🤷‍♀️

@WildCard14 a sick note means no working from home either! It might be worth responding saying you’re happy to do this when your sick note expires x

@Luckynumber5 and @Keyboard91 thank you both. I'm in no rush to reply...if at all. I've stopped email notifications..I just hope she doesn't phone me 🤦🏼‍♀️

Hi all, I just wanted to give an update following my previous post a few days ago. Told my headteacher on Monday & had my Risk Assessment today with head & deputy. They were both so supportive! They asked what the guidance says and I explained about WFH from 28 weeks. I'm only 14 weeks atm. They said it's up to me & whatever I decide to do they will support me, being at school or WFH. I said I was anxious but felt that school was good for me in terms of mental & physical health. I asked how they would feel if I did a flexi-schedule... they thought it was a great idea. From Monday all staff are going onto a rota, we agreed I would be left off the rota so that way I just attend school as and when I feel. I feel so relieved and the anxiety has completely disappeared. I just wanted to share some positivity as I was so nervous about this chat and it turned out better than expected. Good luck to you all xxx

@Dumpling21 thank you for sharing Ur success story! I'm so glad it has worked out for you ❤️

I have finally won a battle to WFH. I am 30 weeks - head teacher agreed during tye Christmas break that I could WFH x

Just thought it would be worth sharing that the working of guidance chnaged as of yesterday.
Here is the link to new guidance. As a result of it I have been instructed to work predominantly from home as of Monday.

Hope it's of use to some of you.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

@Bestofyou1982 thanks for sharing x

I too am WFH now- Boris helped by saying schools are vectors for transmission so being in school is no longer safe.

All the best to everyone and hopefully this active thread can help anyone reading back with advice/links too. Hopefully most of us are now WFH.. let’s watch this space!!

I told my headteacher and I've still had no risk assessment. I was just told that there's no risk until the third trimester. I'm still very early (5 weeks) and no one has checked up on me to see how I'm doing. I know that's pretty self entitled to expect them to check in, but feeling a bit unsupported really.

@Lisakathryn my school has now sent all pregnant staff home regardless of gestation.

Thank you @WildCard14❤

@Lisakathryn have you informed your Head of your pregnancy in writing? If not I would definitely send an email to your head to make it more formal. In your email maybe you could end with something along the lines of 'I look forward to discussing further during my Risk Assessment' as a little hint/reminder as they may have genuinely forgotten with everything else going on. You may also wish to read up on most recent guidance and see what advice your union has given. Good luck xx

Hi everyone,
I’m 7 weeks and informed my head in an email last Sunday. I’ve still had no updated risk assessment and I’m still expected to be on the rota so have been in twice this week to a bubble of 16 (so not loads of room for sd). I was hoping maybe I might get to do the online learning only bit obviously not! We are wriggling to cover the bubble with staff as we have a lot more children in this lockdown so I guess that’s why. It’s all such a worry though!

Oops meant struggling not wriggling!
Oh and next week I’m working with someone in my bubble that was in a different bubble last week! Seems off to me I though you weren’t allowed to swap bubbles!

@LaceyMermaid could you email SLT and say that you don't feel safe as you are pregnant and see whether they will support you with your decision to work from home?

@WildCard14 it’s really tricky because all the evidence says you’re at no more risk until 28 weeks and there’s another pregnant member of staff working who’s about 19 weeks (although she’s SLT so not in class). If I was at hone I’m not sure gets have anyone else to cover the bubble either so then I feel like I should just get on with it! I have been wearing a visor all day and trying my best to stay 2m apart from them. Our area currently has 900 cases per 100000 so pretty high. It’s so annoying why can’t there just be rules in place rather than us having to fight for everything!

@LaceyMermaid the least they could do is a risk assessment though- I'm sure they have a legal duty to undertake one when they find out that you are pregnant.

Yes I’m sure they have too, I’ll chase at least that up thank you

The new guidnace has a different take in the wording for teachers of any gestation. And if you can be doing the hime learning then you should be. And there is no reason you can't be doing home learning 3ach week and any rotas altered to accommodate that. I'd look at the new guidnace carefully and discuss with school.

Thank you I’ll take a look

Are any of you able to link me to the new guidance? I can’t seem to find one that’s been updated in Jan

www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

LaceyMermaid not that it helps you but new guidance clearly states schools can't limit numbers and all those eligible should be given places. Also, that move to remote learning for many is to allow for reductuin in overall community interactions not those in schools.

Thank you, our school have told parents we’re full now as if we take anymore we won’t be about to SD at all in the classrooms! Not sure if they realise what the new guidance says. I certainly don’t want anymore in as I have 16 in one class now and it’s quite hard to keep my distance

LaceyMermaid saying full is not an option, we had same discussion Friday. Not expected to social distance in primary. But are expected to offer places to anyone who needs them. It's really tricky.