Can school change my role based on my pregnancy?

[MardyBumm]

A few weeks ago, my head told all the teachers what year group they will be teaching in September. Our school likes to mix it up every few years so always let people know well in advance. As I am head of year, I was told I was staying in my current year group. This was until I told my head I am pregnant and will be going on maternity after we break up for Christmas. I have now been told I will be a cover teacher for the autumn term. Are they allowed to do this? I know some people would like this as it doesn't come with all the responsibilities a class teacher has but for me, it sounds incredibly stressful- teaching different children all the time and working off other people's planning is my idea of a nightmare.

What does it say in your contract? Are you an academy or local authority school?

Yes they can.
I was once told of a change of year in the summer holidays as a colleague had informed the head she was pregnant, and the head didn't want a mid year change of staff for the class involved.

Yes but if they pay you less it's not.

Less disruption for the pupils is surely the top priority?

Thank you for your responses.

My pay will not change but I am basically being demoted as I will no longer be head of year.

In addition, my head refuses pay progression for teachers who don't complete a full year due to maternity leave (even though the union states this is discrimination). I feel the head's motive is not less disruption for the children but not allowing me the opportunity to work towards achieving classroom and year group targets and going up on the pay scale. But if she is allowed to move me, as it seems is the case, I will have a hard time proving this.

Yes they are.
I did something similar last maternity but in a secondary context.

It is the best deal for the students to have a full year of the same teacher.
Your head sounds an arse about pay progression though.

That is what a pregnant ECT at my school will be doing from September-October.

Are you in a primary school? Never heard of Heads of Year at the level. Only at secondary!

I would get in touch with your union and clarify the pay concerns! Once you've got their response you can quote them to your head teacher. It's discriminatory not to allow pay progression due to pregnancy and mat leave!

Yes, the head has every right to do this. Their priority is what is best for the children and, with this role, there will be minimal disruption when you go. Your role hasn’t changed as such. You are still a teacher, just in different year groups.

When you say that your head of year, do you mean phase leader? Head of year is an unusual role in a primary school, unless it’s a really big school? You’ll still be able to do that role, even if you’re not based in one class.

when you come back from maternity you’ll need to be prepared for the fact that you could be put anywhere, still in your same role, as the needs of the school come first.

Thanks for your responses. It sucks but looks like there is nothing I can do!

It's a massive primary with a much larger than usual form intake per year group so although I'm head of year, it's about the same work/responsibility as a phase leader in a normal sized school.

I think this is common but whether it is legal is i think worth checking with the unions. There are quite a few things that heads do that are not in line with the rules but are just accepted as normal practice. I have come across
Attending meetings and parents evenings on days you do not normally work
Attending pd days on days you don't work
Working on Saturdays
Taking on extra duties in return for being on ups scale