Teachers - when did you tell school you were pregnant?

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I'm only 5+2 (or 6+2 - until my private scan we're unsure) and I am a secondary teacher/middle leader in my school.

Question- when did you tell HR/head/HOD when you were pregnant?

I know a Year Leader is going on mat leave at the end of the year and they want me to take over the new year 7s but that won't be possible as I'll also be heading in Mat leave at the end of sept.

Some people advise it straight away but I worry it's too early.

Advice?

When are you required to confirm re your position next year?

I’d probably go earlier than 12 weeks, but a bit later than 5. 7-8 maybe?

If you are in a union contact them.for advice. If not Google it. Congratulations

I don't think they can ask me until the member of staff has 100% confirmed when she's leaving which she won't do just yet.

I have told work before 12 weeks but only because I had bad morning sickness and needed time off. I would not close down and potential jobs/roles when you are 5 weeks pregnant. I am sure it will all go really well for you but for some people it sadly doesn't. The second time I waited till about 15 weeks.
For all they know an employee could be about to apply for other jobs or resign or anything. It's never certain. I would be vague about the role until your 12 weeks can and then tell them.

My sister and friend advise me to say something soon in case I start to feel unwell and need support from the school. Also as medial appointments will start cropping up and they have to let me have them off (not easy getting time off in a school).

Sorry! Just rambling. I'm going for blood tests tomorrow and just put in a vague medical request but this is what's got me thinking about whether or not I should mention it.

Bide your time then

Both times when I had to leave a lesson to vomit. About six weeks!

I'm also secondary/middle leader and told my head at 16 weeks- this just worked out as the first week back after the Christmas break. I have had two previous miscarriages so there was no way I was telling them before 12 weeks.

He was really grateful I didn't wait any later as it meant he could advertise my job ASAP. It does feel weird seeing the advert before my 20 week scan though!

The other bonus is that I am now completely protected in terms of absence and don't have to keep making up woolly reasons to attend appointments. The school have also been great in putting into place alternative arrangements as some of my role requires this.

It's of course a tricky situation for you due to the new role, but remember they can't hold it against you.

You should tell HR asap as they have to make special adjustments. But you can ask them to keep it confidential until you want others to know

Just before 12 weeks with the first (needed time off for the scan), 21 weeks with the second.

What adjustments are those then? I've never had any.

I'd leave it a couple of weeks then maybe tell head. And do "official announcement " around 12 weeks

I told mine asap each time, but that’s because I am team teach trained and needed to come off the Rota. My head was the first person to know other than my DH in all 3 pregnancies.

I told my head at 10 weeks as I need time off for my 12 week scan. She was lovely and really supportive about my 'morning' sickness so I was glad to have told her.

Classroom teacher here.

I told them with my first pregnancy when I was 7 weeks pregnant as I was going on a residential.

With my second pregnancy I told them after the 12 week scan.

This pregnancy I might have to tell them before 12 weeks due to a potential situation that could be dangerous for me. I don't want to though. It affects lots of things for me.

I told school once we returned from summer break when I was 17 weeks pregnant. I’d had a previous loss so was reluctant to mention it sooner!

My advice would be to go with what feels right for you - you are under no obligation to tell them this early if you don’t want to :)