Any pregnant teachers know what they're doing in September?

[IHeartKingThistle]

Asking for a friend who is TTC at the moment and is worried about it. Do we know what the advice is yet? Is it shielding, or just get on with it?

Thanks!

Bumping!

I've been given no advice whatsoever. It's an absolute shambles.

Officially its just get on with it.

Oh that's not encouraging, I'm sorry

Midwife has said not to work in third trimester but I'm not taking maternity leave from 28 weeks. I'm going to get union advice.

@Subordinateclause I don't blame you. There must be loads of women in this position, crazy that there isn't official guidance.

I don't think the unions can do anything though? Would be good if they can. Not many people will want to start mat leave at 28 weeks. That's 3 months pre baby's arrival!

I’m a pregnant teacher and I’m assuming I’ll be in a tiny classroom with lots of small children who can’t social distance. What else can schools do? There aren’t other staff available to shift us into more distant roles. I’m scared.

I'll be going back in as normal in Sept. I'll be 20 weeks.

Who knows what the advice may be by September but as things currently stand your employer can't make you take mat leave at a certain no. of weeks, it's still for you to decide.

The Royal College of Midwives’ website is a good source of information. I think current guidance is to wash your hands regularly and to social distance as much as you can from 28 weeks. Ask your school to review your individual risk assessment (or to put one into place) and to consider any BAME status. Employers need to be considerate and mindful of pregnant employees. I’d hope they will be but if not, seek Union support. I’d ask your line managers/HR for an honest conversation about working life at 28+ week so that expectations are managed (particularly in EYFS) and so that steps can be taken to keep you working safely in the classroom.

@IHeartKingThistle

Asking for a friend who is TTC at the moment and is worried about it. Do we know what the advice is yet? Is it shielding, or just get on with it?

Thanks!

Pregnant women were never in the shielding group by default, they were in the clinically vulnerable group.

hello

sorry this was a test!

I will be 25 weeks on the first day of term in September. My school have been amazing. When I found out I was pregnant, they took me off the school rota, wrote up a risk assessment with me and (at my request) I was allowed to be in school from after half term onwards but not pupil facing to minimise risk.

I've been regularly checking the guidance and asking my midwife but the current plan is that I will be in school, in a distanced role until the start of my maternity leave unless the guidance changes. If I am advised to stay at home from third trimester onwards, this will be accommodated and I'll remain on full pay, working from home until mat leave. You can't be asked to take your leave early and plenty of people are in this position. School should make reasonable adjustments to your role and it should be covered in their insurance.

That’s great that your school is able to do this. Who will be teaching your classes? I’m going to be teaching mine as normal. No spare staff to step into my shoes. Insurance only covers the school for another member of staff for maternity leave or sick leave.

@Sparkles715

That’s great that your school is able to do this. Who will be teaching your classes? I’m going to be teaching mine as normal. No spare staff to step into my shoes. Insurance only covers the school for another member of staff for maternity leave or sick leave.

My maternity cover has been recruited already. I've been delegated other responsibilities (I have a TLR). Safety first. I'm also BAME which puts me at increased risks. I have a non-BAME pregnant colleague who is being accommodated in the same way. No way should anybody be forced into taking mat leave early.

If schools have no money to pay for cover then I can’t see that much will change for many of us. I’ve just been told to social distance from other staff and wash my hands frequently.

@Sparkles715

If schools have no money to pay for cover then I can’t see that much will change for many of us. I’ve just been told to social distance from other staff and wash my hands frequently.

I realise I am really fortunate but the cost of this is definitely being covered (at least in part) by insurance as it is an exceptional circumstances. I'd encourage others to ask questions and be proactive.

I have a very supportive headteacher and it really pays off as we have extremely low staff turnover and strong loyalty.