Pregnant NQT

[MrsK8541]

I need some advice please!! I'm in my second term of NQT in a secondary school, successfully passed my PGCE at same school, then worked there as an unqualified teacher until September when I started my NQT induction. My first term was passed and I met all teaching standards.

But, I found out I was pregnant in January and am due in Sept. I have hyperemesis and was signed off for 4 weeks and have just returned to work, even though I still feel terrible! The school are now saying that I will have to extend my NQT induction and finish it after maternity leave, but that I might not even be able to do it at the same school. This is after being told at interview that my temporary NQT position would be made permanent upon passing, because I was "such an asset to be the only subject specialist in the department". Now they know I'm pregnant it's like they're making no effort to support me and now looks like they won't even let me finish my NQT there after maternity.

Anyone know if it's possible to still be assessed and pass NQT induction even with more than the 30 days of absence? I feel like I'm being treated so differently now that they know I'm pregnant. Or am I being unreasonable and hormonal?

Sorry for ranty post

Congrats on your pregnancy - I hope the sickness eases soon, I had a colleague that suffered and it was awful!

Has your sick leave spanned two terms? Is that the issue here, that it has to be a complete term to count towards the induction?

The first term my attendance was fine. The 4 weeks I was signed off was at the beginning of this term. The NQT induction guidance suggests an extension of induction if absence goes above 30 days

See page 22 of this document and contact your appropriate body.
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/580039/Statutory_Induction_Guidance_December_2016.pdf

I think unfortunately you would have to extend. I don't see the issue with you carrying on at the same school though.

OP I'm no expert on this but I'd suggest contacting your union for advice. Good luck

I did my NQT year over 4 terms due to maternity leave occurring between getting QTS and then returning on a 0.8. I didn't get ill but you have my massive sympathy as it's the last thing you need! I was a subject specialist too and not easily replaceable, so that helped. I agree with the PP, contact your union and also (if at all possible) the university or other body that will be doing the NQT paperwork. Good luck.

Contact your union - you may have a case, if you have it in writing that they were going to make you permanent and now they've suddenly decided that they're not. Also, post this on TES, in their workplace dilemmas section - there are some knowledgeable people on there who may be able to help, although ultimately you'll need concrete help through your union, and they will advise that on there as well.

I think you will need to extend. It's a pain but I did my nqt in 2 different schools and took nearly 3 years due to 2 maternity leaves.

If I have understood correctly, you will have done a year by end of July? If your performance has met the standards and you have had less than 30 days sick (excluding weekends and holidays), then you can complete induction and the question is whether or not there would be a permanent position available when you are ready to return to work after maternity leave. I am not an HR expert, but I think protection of roles during mat leave only covers posts that are already permanent.

If you do go 30 days or more, there is no discretion, your induction would have to be extended. If you have to leave in July because your contract is at an end, the school would write an interim report and you would still have to do one full term somewhere else to finish your NQT year.

If the school keep you on, then section 3.7 of the guidelines apply: for sick leave, induction has to be extended, but for mat leave, it is your choice. (Reduced induction is for when you have lots of prior teaching experience and a positive performance management history.)

As others have said though, union should be first port of call.

You would have to extend but i wa spregnant in my nqt year and was due early july! Remember it is 30 working days, does that make a difference? I passed in the nick of time!

If you've only had 4 weeks off then it's only 20 days, you should be able to complete your induction by the summer. Contact your professional tutor to get this clarified and if that doesn't work then contact your union. I was a professional tutor, and I had an NQT who got a punctured lung during his year and had 4 weeks off. He was still able to complete.