Returning from mat leave into the new covid system

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

I’m due to return from maternity leave in 8 weeks. I left for mat leave 5 days before first lockdown. Obviously so much has changed since then. Most of our lessons are now live or blended. My head so far has refused any kit days saying it’s unnecessary and not in the schools interests. I feel like I need to start asking about what training and support I can access before returning to a full time teaching timetable. I have never taught live, I haven’t used teams before I don’t know any of the procedures and systems. Obviously so much is changing with no notice for schools but can you help me figure out what I need in order to return to work effectively in 8 weeks.

Teams? How hard is it to use? What can I do to help myself?
Live lessons?? What do I ask about this? How does it work?

Am I entitled to any paid planning time prior to my return? Or is it the usual case of suck it up? What can I request to help me plan? Can I request a phased return?

Anyone returned to teaching recently??? I feel so out of it. Partly my own doing as I refused to checking and responding to emails when I’m not being paid and on official leave but now I’m wondering if I need to start putting a plan in place.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

Hey, I returned in September and the feeling of overwhelm was immense! But a few months in and I'm okay now.

Teams is okay to use - what technology have you got at home or are you expected to teach from school?

I'm not sure school can refuse KIT days, I'd query that with your union. They also might be able to help with your phased return and planning time questions.

Do you have a friend amongst your colleagues who you could ask questions to? Or a line manager who isn't as high as the Head?

I've returned from mat leave twice and both times, even pre-covid, it wasn't particularly well managed, everyone expected me to just remember everything and didn't realise how much had changed (or I'd forgotten!) but the second time I was unapologetic about having lots of questions and this was a much better way to be.

Good luck

I was told that KIT days had to be mutually agreed and in both interested so if head doesn’t agree I can’t have one. I’m
Hoping nearer the time he might agree. I get there’s lot going on and far more important stuff than me coming back from maternity but I would like to try and ease some anxiety but also return as a decent teacher and member of staff.

I’ve asked a few colleagues and they’ve helpfully replied ‘it’s all a fucking mess’ so not sure what to make of that. I know someone on LT but they are up to their eyeballs with latest announcement so I don’t feel now is the time to ask.

I have my own personal laptop at home. Am I expected to use this? Is this the norm? I use it for working at home pre covid eg weekend planning and marking. I’m assuming I will get a laptop back when I return hopefully.

Would one of those colleagues be able to have a proper conversation with you? Any of them returned from mat leave and have a slight understanding even in normal circumstances of how you might be feeling? If someone asked me casually what school was like I might send a joking reply like that too!

I didn't have a laptop before, so we are expected to use our own. If you had one before, I'd ask IT now when/how you can collect one again.

I also returned in Sept but luckily my school had allowed a few KIT days as I was part of the CAG process.

Someone on here has a brilliant teams guide, if you PM MrsHamlet I'm sure she'll send it over.

I have my own personal laptop at home. Am I expected to use this? Is this the norm? I use it for working at home pre covid eg weekend planning and marking.

Very much so in my experience.

8 weeks is a while away, this half term could see big changes. Is your HOD amenable? Could you ask them? Your head sounds very uncaring to not understand how you're feeling. Perhaps lay out in an email exactly what you need from the KIT days and why (if you haven't already).

I would ask your line manager for a meeting - in person or via teams in the next few weeks

You could then use this as a time to ask about keeping in touch days and formulate a plan together as how to best use these days before putting the plan to the head - who might be more on board if your line manager is also in agreement that they need to happen

@rainingcats yes good point I thought that today. Will email them (lm) next week