Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Original poster

Pregnant teachers - 28 weeks+

199 replies

Willowfalls · 24/02/2021 22:06

Hi ladies,

Sorry if I have missed a thread here.

With the return of schools over the next few weeks, I just wondered if there was any updated guidance/advice for pregnant teachers past 28 weeks?

Thank you :)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

SenoraSurf · 24/02/2021 22:27

I'm only 8+4 and had my booking apt a couple of days ago. My midwife said for teachers the current guidance is still to work from home or in a very well ventilated, non facing role (I.e. admin tasks where you don't come in to contact with lots of different people).
A colleague at my school is 29 weeks now and she has been told she won't be returning to school but they've asked her to do admin and plan cover lessons until the mat leave replacement starts.

ftmum94 · 24/02/2021 22:38

I’m in Scotland but my local authority (under pressure from the union) has now ruled 28 weeks onwards work from home and you need a doctors note if you want to work in the building.

Amybluebell · 24/02/2021 23:40

I have been told by my headteacher that I'm unable to return to work on March 8th. I wanted to see my class for 3 weeks before my maternity leave begins on April 1st but he said I can't enter the building at all, not even to sort my classroom and bring my things home when the children aren't in.

Seablueeyes · 25/02/2021 06:22

Watching this as I’m currently 21 weeks and have been working from home since January. Primary school so social distancing isn’t possible and pupils obviously aren’t required to wear masks. I’ve got a meeting with my headteacher next week to discuss how we go forward. What kind of admin tasks are you all doing at home? I’ve been busy with remote learning while pupils have been at home but when they’re back, I’m not sure what I could be doing. My year group partners all get PPA time so just doing planning won’t be enough. Thanks.

Clairey844 · 25/02/2021 06:50

I had a colleague pregnant at school before Xmas she was mainly worked in the PPA area doing all manor of bits and pieces that she could do that didn't involve working with the children. I am 18 weeks and have just let my head know the date I'll be 28 weeks as I imagine I'll be doing the same. I do know the guidance is not to work in class but I can't find any hard and fast rules of what is actually ok and not ok. Lots of people seem to be working from home, this has not been mentioned by my head so following this post for info. My MW at my 16w appointment said ideally we shouldn't be with the kids but that it was at the discretion of the headteacher?

Popsa25 · 25/02/2021 07:23

I'm afraid I don't have anything v helpful to add, but have been searching for a similar thread, so thank you OP!

I will be 28 weeks just after the return to school. My head has said they'll get back to me soon, so am just waiting to hear.

At one point I was told it might be down to my choice and I kind of hope that isn't the case! I can't even work out how I feel about it all...

Original poster

Willowfalls · 25/02/2021 07:55

Thanks everyone!!

@Popsa25 I feel exactly like you! I work at a private school and think they might say it is up to me...

OP posts:

Milkand2sugarsplease · 25/02/2021 11:14

It's not down to choice at all - the guidance atm is to socially distance and if that can't be done, to work from home and if that can't be done, to be off on full pay until mat leave begins.

Keyboard91 · 25/02/2021 11:33

Guidance is as you say @Milkand2sugarsplease BUT we CAN socially distance in a classroom according to other government guidance.

That is the issue and where it comes down to if you’re in a supportive school or not. I queried this heavily at my risk assessment. My desk seat is less than 2m from the seats of the students!!! But that still allows me to socially distance apparently. I’m still in my 2nd trimester and CV (not CEV) so I have nothing to stand on at the moment even though my RA says I must adhere strictly to social distancing.... but I can’t. So it’s a massive cause of anxiety.

I think the guidance needs to be made much clearer to support schools and staff to be as safe as possible, especially as medical professionals now know more about covid in pregnancy. My colleague was told she could work from school or home, her choice, so is now doing the teacher thing of ‘if I work from home then my students will struggle’ - it’s not a position any of us want to be in, or should be put in!

Personally, having read the more recent published evidence provided by my care team I will be working from home from 28 weeks, and if that is questioned in any way then I will be signed off by my consultant (who has stated he is happy to do this). It’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

Popsa25 · 25/02/2021 12:39

Agree with so much of the above.

I feel like it's really hard if it comes down to us to decide. Feel like I'm massively letting school and my class down if I were to choose not to be there, when I could sail through to June and be absolutely fine. My school has been fortunate enough to be very lucky with Covid cases so far. But equally, do I want to take a risk for what is overall such a short proportion of my whole teaching career? My partner and family all really want me to put myself/baby first. Don't want to be overly risk averse/dramatic also - it's just so hard! My school is really supportive, so I'm not directing the frustration at them, but it would be easier for everyone if it was more clearcut.

Whatever the theoretical idea of 2m distancing in a classroom is, it just isn't possible in a classroom of 30 7 year olds, especially if you're the only adult in the room. You can't teach/support from the front. Even little things like an upset child, child who is stuck, their shoelace is undone etc etc mean that we don't distance. They might be so many little microscopoc elements of the day, but which add up to not being able to distance and do the job properly Whatever the conclusion on whether it's safe or not, I just wish that this could be acknowledged!

Complete ramble, sorry!

katiemumma20 · 25/02/2021 13:24

Following! Currently 20+6 and as it stands will be going in on the 8th until Easter hols and then working from home. I really hope the advice doesn’t change and they say it’s fine to be in schools.

Sixtyorforty · 25/02/2021 14:05

I am currently 37 weeks. I worked from home first trimester, in school second trimester and at home third trimester! I am now on MAT leave but our school has taken the decision that 28 weeks plus must stay at home.

Sleepyhead81 · 25/02/2021 15:53

I'm 28 + 5 weeks and have been working from home since January and will not be back in school on the 8th March.
My head asked me to ask my midwife for advice but she said to follow gov.uk guidelines and ring HR.
Guidelines recommend working from home from 28 weeks as we are then CEV. My head rang HR who confirmed I shouldn't be in school, it's not worth the risk even though cases in my school are very low.

Original poster

Willowfalls · 25/02/2021 20:40

So the guidance from my school now is that they are looking at individual situations rather than following a blanket approach. They are taking in to account how many weeks, general health, working environment & what measures can be put in place to ensure safety!

I wish the gov would issue rules to follow rather than ‘guidance’

OP posts:

Cutie18327 · 26/02/2021 10:08

Thank you for all the guidance on this thread, I am only 15 weeks but still am incredibly nervous about going back to school.

Was just wondering if anyone has been asked to reschedule antenatal appointments for outside of school time? We are entitled to these paid so I think it's a bit cheeky of my head but was wondering what everyone elses experiences were.

Keyboard91 · 26/02/2021 11:07

@Cutie18327 absolutely not! In my experience you can’t anyway. But nonetheless, you are entitled to that time paid, and school have to cover you. I always try and reduce impact where possible (ie try and avoid Yr11 lessons) but with scans and consultant appointments I’ve never been able to rearrange for a time that also fits the dates they need to occur within. Even moreso now as capacity is less for hospital based appointments.

NapCracklePop · 26/02/2021 11:18

It's all guidance. I'm a CEV teacher advised by the government to not go to work. However, this means staying home on SSP (also government advice) and I can't pay my rent on that. Since my children have to go back anyway or I get fined I've decided to go in - because it is all just guidance.
So you can choose to go against it (which we all know means the 'it will be bad for my students for me to stay home' internal struggle) but your school can't ignore the advice unless you want to.

katiemumma20 · 26/02/2021 13:27

@Cutie18327 woops! Was going to say my Hr told me today they have to give us time off to go to antenatal appointments. I think it’s to do with the nhs drive to make sure no one misses any. But personally I’ve easily been able to arrange all of mine out of school hours as my midwife usually suggests a date and then I have always asked if they have any appointments after 4 o clock and she always has! X

Cutie18327 · 26/02/2021 15:32

@katiemumma20 @Keyboard91 thank you both for the clarification. I'd already arranged it so that it was in my free periods so there's actually no cover implications at all hence why I was a little surprised!

katiemumma20 · 26/02/2021 15:48

Oh that’s good. Think it’s cheeky that they asked you though! You can’t always get them at convenient times can you! X

Bluespace · 26/02/2021 18:45

I’m a nursery manager in a private day nursery, anyone post 28 weeks is on full pay suspension until maternity leave, as there’s no way to social distance/ work from home.

KHR1 · 26/02/2021 19:55

Following! Currently only 14 weeks but interested to see what guidance schools are following.

My friend who gave birth in January was at home from 28 weeks completing admin/training. At my school the expectation was previously to teach a full timetable via teams but not sure if that's changed.

@Cutie18327 in my last pregnancy my head teacher made comments about my appointments not being at very convenient times (midwife only worked 9.30-4.30 and I live 20 miles from work) but you are entitled to time off for midwife appointments and I think it has to be paid too.

Out of interest, what measures, if any, were put in place for teachers before 28 weeks? (for things like social distancing, touching the children's books and home readers).

KHR1 · 26/02/2021 19:57

*13 weeks

firsttimetry · 01/03/2021 11:11

Hi everyone!
Following this thread.

I will be 28 weeks on Thursday this week, I have been working from home since January but have now received an email to say I can return to work (during my 3rd trimester) as long as risk assessment is in place.

What should be on this risk assessment? I work in year 2 primary school class. The teacher i work with is also pregnant and will be 28 weeks on the 31st March.

I am really worried about it all!

KHR1 · 01/03/2021 11:26

@firsttimetry the guidance after 28 weeks is that the employer has to be able to ensure social distancing is followed or the staff member should be supported in working from home.
I don't see that any primary school can guarantee this, particularly in KS1. I'd question how they will keep the children away in the classroom, how you can support groups if you cannot be within 2m, handling books, movement in corridors, etc.

Secondary might be able to say they can socially diatance now that face coverings have to be worn.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8