Teachers - I will be 5 months pregnant come September and have not signed a contract for my perm role continuing at my supply school I’ve- what do you advice?

[Sk999]

I took the perm job at my current supply school I’ve been at for a year around end of June but have not signed a contract. They completed my dbs and all the other stuff. I have the offer letter that says salary and confirms job etc. Found out I was pregnant right after. Challenge is now, I’ve been there for a year, took the job, but hid the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy as didn’t want to lose job offered, did all transition days met parents etc.

I plan to email them and let them know around 29th August before Inset days and tell them I’m happy to discuss. I am so scared that they will try and dismiss me which is why I will email rather than say face to face so I have prove if I am dismissed due to pregnancy as all is well and set for September. I don’t qualify for maternity so it’s not like I want the job for maternity money, I genuinely like the job the class and the school and need the job.

This pregnancy was a beautiful surprise so I wouldn’t change it for anything but it would be good to stay as I would be like 5 months in September- but not 20 weeks until 4th September. What would some of you had done? Have would you have approached this ? I plan to talk to my union first before I tell the school and explain the situation and see what my rights are.

Please give advice?

Personally I think you should give as much notice as possible to allow them to find the best cover for you whilst you are on maternity leave. The longer you leave it the harder that will be. If you tell them now then it could still look like you have just found out. Given you have been formally offered the job I cant believe they would withdraw it due to pregnancy as to do so would be opening themselves up for a massive discrimination claim!