Stressed- what would you do?

[Nc5683939w9er]

I'm. In almost 7 months pregnant and we have 1 week left until half term. There have been some big changes the last couple of weeks, most importantly our head seemingly disappearing. We are part of a large trust and head of that has taken her place it would seem. We had visitors last week looking at behaviour and although they didn't personally visit my lessons, overall feedback was poor and we had a really shitty email Friday outlining everything we are doing wrong. We gave had 2 emails since, Friday and Saturday night, basically saying how we will be being watched carefully by SLT etc this week. I know I shouldn't have read them over the weekend but I saw them so looked. I have felt sick ever since- I can feel the tension and stress in every part of my body and I feel like I could cry at any moment. I've had a few absences this year- all pregnancy related- so I really don't want more time off, but equally I don't know how I'm supposed to cope right now. On another note, a pupil who demanded to be out of my lesson and was vile to me (along with parents) is now back in my lesson with no consultation or warning. Wont go into details as outing but a fairly big event happened in new class and they are not allowed back there. Since they left I no longer felt that sick stressed feeling teaching them and it's now back. A close family member (raised me from age11) was rushed into hospital yesterday too which has added to everything.

If you've read all of this I'll be amazed! I just need to get it down in the hope it might relieve some of this tension.

Go to doctor. First thing tomorrow as emergency and get signed off with stress. And point out it is work related. This sounds horrendous. I'd get signed off until maternity leave kicked in, frankly.

Do NOT struggle on for another week; no one will ever appreciate it. Put yourself first for once.

Aww poor you sounds awful. Absolutely agree with @blessyourcottons. Go to the doctors tomorrow and get yourself signed off for the remainder of your pregnancy. How rubbish of them to be sending emails like that on a Saturday night.

Get yourself signed off until mat leave starts (if your MAT is the same as mine it will kick in at 36 weeks).

I was in a similar situation (although not pregnant) and struggled on. The stress made me seriously ill and I was hospitalised. It's not worth it.

Doctor. Get signed off. You are pregnant and have to take care to yourself and your baby because your school sure as hell aren’t.

And alert your union to the kid being allowed back into your lesson.

I worry about the backlash and what my department will say. I also left assessments on Friday that need marking as I just wanted to get out and have a weekend off after a long week especially with parents evening which was exhausting. I guess I will see how I feel in the morning, perhaps I will feel like I can face it!

Your first priority is your baby, not your department.

Have you had a risk assessment done?

I did although it was all done by email! I think that's the hard thing, accepting it but for the right reasons. My HOD and second are both male and neither have children, it's so difficult as they clearly don't understand. This is not my first baby so juggling everything isn't that easy. I still feel like I will be letting them down though. My maternity leave is due to start after Easter (I'll be 36+5 when we break up) and they haven't even advertised yet for a replacement. Surprising as we are a core subject that struggles to recruit.

Stop thinking you are letting people down. It is the job of your SLT, your HoD and 2nd to sort any issues - they get paid more than you for taking that kind of thing on. It appears that you are the person who has been let down by the school leadership - and you shouldn't worry about your replacement (or lack of) either. Please see your doctor and do not go into work while you feel like this. You might need to be checked and make sure your bp and blood tests are ok. School is just a job but your own wellbeing and your family and new baby really do need to be your priority. (Have had to give this message to other teachers in similar positions to yours over many years.) Look after yourself.

And don't be guilt-tripped into catching up marking or doing planning for lessons while off. Step away from it all - it is not your problem now.

The place won’t fall down with you. The assessments you haven’t marked will have to be marked by your HoD. Get signed off with stress, non pregnancy related so they can’t force you to start maternity leave early.
What a bunch of so-and-sos. Treating staff poorly will never improve outcomes for children.

What the school have done to its staff over the weekend is appalling and bullying in its worst form. If I were in your position, this is what I would do.
Tomorrow morning, go into work and expect it to be a 'normal' day. Pack away your personal belongings and collect the assessments. Ring your GP for a doctors appointment. Also, ring your Union regional office. At home time, take your things with you. On Tuesday, follow your school procedure for notifying an absence, citing stress in the workplace as the reason. Do not get into a long conversation about this. Do not return to work. Ring every day. See your GP before the end of the week and ask to be signed off for stress in the workplace. Make sure your GP knows you're on holiday for a week. Let your school know as soon as you get signed off. The Gp will more than likely sign you off for a month, then your mat leave will kick in.
Whilst you are on mat leave, look for another job. I know of several people who have got jobs whilst on mat leave.
Something has clearly happened for the Head to have gone, and the remaining staff will be in the firing line, whilst SLT will try to cover their own backs.

How have you got on OP?

I went in. Did the things I had to (mostly). But had a tough lesson with the group I mentioned. My HOD has been nice and keeps asking what he can do to help but I just don't know the answer at the moment. I still feel stressed and tense, not myself at all, broke down earlier but had to pull myself together to teach. Had an email tonight asking me to collate info and contact home for 5 different pupils in my TG who didn't come to parents evening last week so another thing to add to the pile. But now I feel even more guilty if I don't go in as people are trying to be supportive!