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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

How late have people left it to tell the Head you are pregnant?

20 replies

HariboFrenzy · 12/05/2017 19:18

As title really! I'm 6 weeks Pg with dc2 and wondering how long I'll be able to hide it. First time around I confided in a couple of people early on and told the head after my 12 week scan. In retrospect I'm not sure how trustworthy those confidants were as the head already seemed to know.

I don't want to tell them til I know what the staffing plans are for next year really (primary) and if it was totally up to me I'd wait until after the summer holidays! In reality I'll be 17 weeks when we break up and as this is DC2 there's no way I can keep it hidden...

OP posts:

BackforGood · 12/05/2017 23:57

I never told anyone (other than dh ) with any of my 3 until after the 12 week scan.

TheCrowFromBelow · 13/05/2017 07:56

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

You need to tell them at least 15 weeks before your due date, but you won't be able to take time off for your antenatal visits unless you inform them.

Original poster

HariboFrenzy · 13/05/2017 09:47

Thanks Crow, I know that, I was just wondering how long I might realistically be able to hide it nothing for very long I expect as I'm so bloated

OP posts:

TheCrowFromBelow · 13/05/2017 10:58

Ah well that is a bit how long is a piece of string (or how tight are you jeans )
It depends from person to person I was enormous with DS2 really early on, other people you can't see the difference until about 20 weeks.
Just keep quiet and don't tell anyone until you're ready!

EdithSitwell · 13/05/2017 11:59

Twenty weeks. It wasn't apparent up to then and no one had guessed.

user1955 · 13/05/2017 15:53

Also school can't make any adjustments to support you if they don't know. We shuffle round break duties regularly as all staff don't do it in the same term, so we can discreetly make sure pregnant staff are taken out of the rota. We also take additional precautions around more volatile pupils and head always makes sure to have a quiet word if any of the pupils' illnesses are risky.

You say you don't want to tell them until staffing arrangements for next year are announced - is there a reason for that? Our SLT would avoid putting a pregnant teacher with certain classes or year groups for the well-being of the class.

Timpani · 13/05/2017 16:20

I told my head/colleagues at 18 weeks. Probably could have hid it longer. Luckily the summer hols fell just after my 12 week scan!

Flowersinyourhair · 13/05/2017 16:22

I would tell them as soon as you can so that they can look after you a bit. I didn't do break duties for example when pregnant. It's better they know I think when you're working in a school situation.

Cakescakescakes · 13/05/2017 16:31

With my DS2 I looked totally pregnant by 10 weeks so couldn't have hid it anyway! With DS1 I was in my normal clothes till 23 weeks.

DoctorDonnaNoble · 13/05/2017 16:58

I'm 7 &4 not planning on telling Head until 12 weeks

user1955 · 13/05/2017 18:38

How rude of me - I forgot to say - congratulations to both Haribo and Doctor

Original poster

HariboFrenzy · 13/05/2017 18:47

Thanks for replies. I don't need any adjustments made so that's not a concern - I'm not on the playground duty rota this term. I'm able to schedule appointments outside of work time as I'm part time, so don't need any time off for those. The reason I want to see what the staffing plans are is that I've requested a change for next academic year, and suspect that pregnancy would be used as an excuse to keep me in my current role. Tbh I feel enormous so people are bound to notice soon. I just hope no-one asks me outright like they did last time

OP posts:

DoctorDonnaNoble · 13/05/2017 19:03

Well good luck @HariboFrenzy let me know how you get on.

NeitherNowtNorSummat01 · 16/05/2017 12:51

I was planning on telling my school as late as possible with ds2 however, I hadn't considered childcare vouchers. Maternity pay is calculated based on your salary between (I think) week 17 and 25. I d coded to cancel my child care vouchers during this time so that I could get as much maternity pay as possible.
I phoned the council myself but they emailed the school bursar to confirm this letting the cat out the bag.

Minispringroll · 16/05/2017 16:25

At 6 weeks, two weeks into a new job.

RidiculousVehicle · 18/05/2017 21:55

I left it until the last minute (deliberately - I was on a training contract and was concerned they might just end it - also they had really slack HR at that point so I didn't really trust them). I must have been about 16 weeks by the time we broke up for summer, so I did the MAT-B notice thing by email to the Head's PA the Sunday before we went back in September. It was a first pregnancy though and I'm not particularly skinny.

plaintomatopasta · 21/05/2017 08:19

I think it depends on if you can hide baby till the holidays and just tell them before you finish for summer. With my dc I only told the very necessary people and not everyone so when I finished for maternity leave there were some people surprised I was leaving at 36weeks as they didn't realise I was pregnant! Daft sods probably didn't want to mention I was getting fat!

Hulababy · 21/05/2017 09:44

I'd tell them sooner rather than later. They can then make plans for next year better and decide not only works well for you but also what will be in the children's best interests too. They may have classes who will find dealing with their teacher going on mat leave more of a challenge than others for example.

I told my headteacher very early in- I was about 10 weeks. But I was being sick a lot and needed to be able to leave the room to facilitate this! It was also my first week in a brand new job - bad timing!

NameChange30 · 21/05/2017 09:49

Whatever you do, tell the head before you tell anyone else at work. I think it's a bit unprofessional to tell colleagues before telling your line manager.
In your position I'd tell them after your 12 week scan (that's when I told my boss) but will the staffing arrangements for next year be finalised by then?

Mum1990 · 13/09/2017 22:47

Hello I'm currently 17 weeks pregnant and just started a TA apprenticeship but haven't told my employers im pregnant.
I chose not to tell them in the beginning as I really wanted to be accepted onto the apprenticeship, however I'm now getting quite anxious that once they do know I will be let go.

I'm very sure I'll be able to complete coursework etc whilst I'm able to attend before baby is due however will have to take time off 5 months into my apprenticeship as my due date is Feb 18

I really don't want to be let go after this time as I know I'll be adamant to make up for lost time but really want to complete this apprenticeship and don't want to be kicked off, is anyone able to shed any light on this and give some useful honest advice.

Completetinf this course will enable me to either do level 3 after or go on to uni to complete degree and pace.
Thank you really appreciate it in advance.

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