Pregnant teachers returning in September?

[IlanaWexler]

I'll be heavily pregnant in September and although I've been working from home since March, I have been told I will be expected to return to school when/if it re-opens (with a risk assessment in place). Is anyone else in a similar situation?

My pregnancy is high risk so I wouldn't feel comfortable going in and I'll most likely have to start my maternity leave early (& therefore miss out on pay) when I could easily continue working from home, making resources etc. It's frustrating.

The parents have been told who is teaching which class so a change now will mean telling parents before I would have liked it to be public. I suppose if it’s safer. I don’t mind teaching the older ones but other staff being made to swap are not going to be pleased. I think my head would rather find a way to keep me in Year 1!

Hi, I also have a pregnancy/back to the classroom question... I'm a PPA teacher in a 1 form entry primary school. Over my 2.5 days I teach every class (Nursery to Y6) at least once, and EYFS classes twice because of management release time. I am pregnant and will be going into 3rd trimester end of September. My headteacher has said we will write a risk assessment, but we have discussed it verbally and it is based on all children keeping a 2metre social distance from me at all times. I can't see how this can be relied upon especially in the younger classes- I will be the only adult in the room so there's no TA if they need close up help, and they aren't expected to keep socially distanced from their usual class teachers, so it won't be second nature to them either. Is this just how it is, or would you flag this up as too much of a risk to be happy with it? Is anybody aware of plans for (pregnant) PPA teachers in your schools?

My school have been excellent, recruiting my maternity cover earlier and taking all my teaching duties away. I'll be in a distanced role (working in a separate room) managing my department and supporting planning etc. If guidance for me changes and necessitates that I stay at home that will be accommodated on full pay until I decide when to take my maternity leave. I was told there were contingencies in school insurance to cover the costs of this.

I was told there were contingencies in school insurance to cover the costs of this.

Unlikely. It certainly wouldn’t be covered under the school’s sickness insurance. You would have to have been signed off work by a doctor.

@Pud2

I was told there were contingencies in school insurance to cover the costs of this.

Unlikely. It certainly wouldn’t be covered under the school’s sickness insurance. You would have to have been signed off work by a doctor.

Not true for all. I am pregnant and have been working in a distanced role. School has recruited my cover earlier and insurance is supporting as it is an exceptional circumstance. I haven't been signed off and I will not be taking early mat leave. My pregnant colleague has the same arrangement.

If the guidance suggests I have to work from home, I will be doing so on full pay. My school could not have been more supportive but it is a state school with limited funds. They could not afford this hit if the insurance wasn't there to support. Worth asking the question.

That’s interesting to hear, and certainly isn’t the case in our local authority where sickness insurance cover has been suspended altogether until September.

It’s not the case in my LA either. I’m fully expecting my RA to simply say that I have to social distance from other adults and wash my hands more.

Have you seen the latest NEU/joint union advice? It was published 21.08.2020

neu.org.uk/advice/coronavirus-medically-vulnerable-and-higher-risk-groups.

"Given the known greater risks to women in their third trimester of pregnancy they should be permitted to work from home until their chosen date for starting maternity leave or, if this is not possible, medical suspension on full pay. It will be unlawful for employers to seek to trigger maternity leave in these circumstances. This should also be considered as an appropriate measure to remove risks to other pregnant women, in particular those who may be at increased risk due to other factors."

@Jackson101010

Doesn't that union guideline directly contradict the latest DfE guidelines? They state that those pregnant are at higher risk category BUT safe for all to go back. Madness

Would love to think that all schools will follow union guidelines but not that confident that would be the case

I completely agree that it contradicts.

In Wales they have clearly stated that pregnant teachers in the third trimester shouldn't be public facing roles gov.wales/back-school-plans-september-coronavirus.

"Pregnant women after 28 weeks are specifically advised to work from home or in a non-public facing role in a COVID secure workplace where 2m physical distancing can be maintained at all times. TheRoyal College of Obstetric Gynaecologists (RCOG) have updated their advice, RCOG “clinical advice for pregnant women on the risk and potential implications of being severely affected by COVID-19, particularly affecting those who are at 28 weeks’ gestation or above, still stands”"

The Gov website also says that we should follow advice from the RCOG (even though it is written as if it is specific to health care workers). Which as you can see above their advice is for women who are in the third trimester to work from home.

"3.2 Choices for pregnant healthcare workers prior to 28 weeks’ gestation

Following a risk assessment with their employer and occupational health, pregnant women should only be
supported to continue working if the risk assessment advises that it is safe for them to do so. This means that
employers must remove any risks (that are greater in the workplace than to what they would be exposed
to outside of the workplace), or else they should be offered suitable alternative work."

I will be 35 weeks pregnant next week and I haven't had my risk assessment yet. I will be bringing this information up in my risk assessment meeting on the first day back. I really hope it helps someone else out there on this thread.

@Jackson101010

Fingers crossed it works out for you, it might also be worth looking at the latest DfE guidance that came out last night, feel sure there was a bit about management having an obligation to safeguard staffs mental well-being following Covid.

This is a prime example where they can do this by listening to you and your views and those of the unions, I'll send some positive hopeful vibes your way!

Has anyone got an update regarding provision for pregnant staff? I know Wales are saying teachers in third trimester are to work from home but I'm unsure of the guidance elsewhere. I'm in Scotland so we've been back 3 weeks and I haven't even got a risk assessment. Obviously no social distancing and all my classes apart from 1 have at least 30 pupils in them... Keen to hear other people's experiences and what their schools are putting in place for them/ what advice they've been given.