Hi there
I have just been accepted with my top 2 pgce placements and the next day found out I am pregnant which is unplanned and unexpected but very happily welcomed as I have had a miscarriage before.
I would ideally like to start my pgce in September and complete my first placement, then take 1 year maternity leave of absence and return the following January to complete the 2nd placement. This would then hopefully suit the term timetables too.
I know this is possible however does anybody know if I would have to pay 2 years tuition fees or if my one year fee would be frozen during my maternity absence?
Also when should I let the course provider know? I want to be transparent with them but I am only just over 5 weeks and feel it is a little too early but will it come up on my suitability to teach medical check?
I am fully aware of the stress of a PGCE year but lucky enough to have a great amount of support around me and my husband is a teacher which helps! I would rather do this option than defer and start a pgce year with a 6 month old. This way I would leave at 7 months and return with a 10 month old.
I am a career changer and am used to extremely demanding environments so am not going into this blind in that sense.
Any advice hugely appreciated!