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

Original poster

I miss lockdown

35 replies

colourofblue · 15/09/2020 18:16

Seven months pregnant, waddling around the school to different classrooms and out to the yard and back again and back and back and back. Everything hurts. Everything aches. Draconian system of teaching where we all have to teach exactly the same lessons at the same time and woe betide if it doesn’t work out that way. Two hour meeting after school on Thursday where we will ‘discuss’ things. We won’t discuss them, we will be told. Nowhere to work, nowhere to collapse and veg in private for a bit, I had lunch in my car. Kids stupid with masks. Hate my visor. TiredtiredTIRED.

Sorry. As you were my fellow teachers ...

OP posts:
silenceattheback · 15/09/2020 19:20

I believe the advice is that those in their third trimester should be working from home due to the possible additional risks to catching Covid later in pregnancy. Is that an option for you?

I'm 5 months but will be jumping at the chance to work from home if possible. Being forced to march across the school to fetch and drop of students multiple times a day, lots of additional duties and crammed classes.

Original poster
colourofblue · 15/09/2020 19:21

WFH if possible is the advice but obviously you can’t really WFH as a teacher so I’m in!

OP posts:
phlebasconsidered · 15/09/2020 21:05

Colour, have you got a good gp? Could they sign you off? Or write you a letter to be taken into consideration for your RA?

I feel for you - it's horrid standing all day teaching heavily pregnant, let alone when you're trekking from class to class in an unseasonably warm pandemic!

annie987 · 15/09/2020 21:57

All our teachers over 28 weeks are working from home

Patience1990 · 15/09/2020 23:49

I was 27 weeks when this new academic year started back and was told to work from home until maternity leave now. I am a full time year 3 teacher but provisions have been made and it was all sorted in the summer hols.

If your school haven't looked into this then I really think they owe it to you to at least put some sort of provision in place. Most people I have spoken to aren't working after 28 weeks.

Original poster
colourofblue · 16/09/2020 06:11

I feel very jealous! Envy

OP posts:
Original poster
colourofblue · 16/09/2020 16:25

We’ve got a positive case in the school! Help!

OP posts:
Patience1990 · 16/09/2020 16:55

@colourofblue I really think you need to be asking how realistic it will be for you to work at home.

Speak to your union and see what they advise?

PenOrPencil · 16/09/2020 20:23

You need to get yourself out of there, speak to your GP and/or midwife and get signed off. School at the moment is not the right place for a pregnant woman. Do not be a martyr!

Original poster
colourofblue · 16/09/2020 20:32

Well it’s all very well saying that.

The reality is:

you can’t see your GP
you can’t see a midwife (and they never answer the phone.)
the advice is work from home if possible and it’s not possible ... so what can you do ...
and I’m not the only pregnant member of staff in.

So I honestly think it’s up to the school. Obviously other schools might do it differently but if mine have decided I’m safe to be in then arguing with that is hard. It isn’t about being a martyr.

OP posts:
PenOrPencil · 16/09/2020 20:50

You have been given sensible advice. What kind of help were you looking for?

Can you speak to your GP or your union on the phone?

Patience1990 · 16/09/2020 21:09

@colourofblue why aren't you seeing a midwife? You should be having a face to face appointment at 28 weeks? Mention your concerns then.

My GP surgery is completely run by locum doctors and they are only doing telephone appointments but I have no doubt that if I was really concerned that I could get signed off.

As for "work from home if possible", it is VERY possible. I've joined a group on Facebook of Mums t be in the UK due in December and the majority in education are staying home after 28 weeks. Same for a cousin of mine that will be 28 weeks on Tuesday and works for a university. One of the TAs is also pregnant at my school. Currently 16 weeks but she will also be finishing at 28 weeks.

I suppose it comes down to where your schools priorities are and if that includes staff health and well-being.

The recommendations wouldn't be there for no reason.

Original poster
colourofblue · 16/09/2020 21:18

@PenOrPencil

You have been given sensible advice. What kind of help were you looking for?

Can you speak to your GP or your union on the phone?

Is there honestly nowhere on mn now you can just admit you are finding it all a bit hard?

I haven’t seen a midwife because of coronavirus! That’s not to say I haven’t had hospital appointments. I probably could get signed off but that also has implications for the future and for my classes. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should, and all that.

OP posts:
wineandsunshine · 16/09/2020 21:30

Could you call your GP and say you need a duty doctor call back urgently? I'm pretty sure they would respond to your concerns.

Patience1990 · 17/09/2020 11:46

Sounds like you've made your mind up to stay in work tbh. I, like other posters were just trying to offer help as that's what you had asked for.

You have a legal right to maternity appointments regardless of coronavirus. I've only had one phone consultation with midwife and that was the first contact one. 16 weeks I asked for a physical appointment and that was accommodated as I'm have a lot of anxiety and just wanted to be physically checked over but my cousin was happy to do hers on the phone. It's all what you're comfortable with.

I'm sure you are but just make sure to look after yourself Smile

Original poster
colourofblue · 17/09/2020 12:33

It’s not a decision I feel I can make for myself, patience, the fact is being totally honest I am not ill, either physically or mentally and therefore I cannot look my headteacher or doctor in the eye (not that I can physically see my doctor at the moment!) and say I am. And therefore the only reason I shouldn’t be in work is if it is deemed unsafe. Now some schools have made the decision pregnant staff are unsafe, as things stand at this time mine have not and therefore I need to be in. No problems getting time off for maternity appointments Smile

OP posts:
CessieSparrow · 17/09/2020 14:07

I think this is why you need to try to get in contact with your gp, midwife or union and they can tell you (and your school) if it is ok for you to continue to work in school rather than at home as many other pregnant teachers are being advised to do. Cases are rising and you have a case in your school - I think it's fair enough for you to find out what you should be doing to keep yourself safe - it doesn't sound like your school will be doing that for you.

Original poster
colourofblue · 17/09/2020 16:26

I’m starting to think my only option is to be signed off with stress, which I’ve never done before and I’m worried about a reference (not going back after maternity leave)

OP posts:
sakura06 · 18/09/2020 20:39

You can start your Mat Leave at 29 weeks. Is that an option?

I think it's worth talking to your school though. They should be making adjustments for you.

notanotherpothole · 20/09/2020 18:37

Have you had a risk assessment done by your school? All our staff who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions had personal risk assessments done and are all now working from home. In my dept one teacher is creating a bank of teaching resources for everyone in case we go back to online teaching. Definitely speak to your union rep, especially with a positive case in school.

Margo34 · 21/09/2020 08:29

Presumably you've had an individual risk assessment done and all the issues/concerns you've mentioned have been addressed in that and you've agreed to it? If not get onto your union ASAP.

Original poster
colourofblue · 21/09/2020 10:02

No risk assessment yet but I’ve been signed off for two weeks anyway. Starting maternity leave early is a possibility but the problem is that means my maternity pay would run out in June/July which is the worst possible timing for a teacher!

OP posts:
Margo34 · 21/09/2020 10:12

What?! They should have done a risk assessment as soon as you told them you were pregnant!!!! And then it should be reviewed as your pregnancy progresses. Definitely get onto your union about that!!

You shouldn't be taking maternity leave early unless it's your choice, they can't make you (unless you're signed off for medical reasons related to pregnancy from 36w onwards).

Pay may run out June/July but you can take Kit days (paid) in June/July then 'go back to work' in July right before the summer holidays - you'd get paid over summer then and not really start working again until the new academic year.

Original poster
colourofblue · 21/09/2020 10:39

I’m not going back, margo so that doesn’t apply to me Smile

OP posts:
Margo34 · 21/09/2020 10:42

Oh OK. You should still have a risk assessment though, they definitely applies!!

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