Positive covid test and symptoms.

[Azafata]

Tested positive for Covid Sunday. Bad cough, sneezing, runny nose. Have been self isolating since. Brusque message from HT wanting me back in today. I was told it is my discretion to come in or not. If not counted as sickness. I would be so upset if I passed this on to someone. Morally I could not do this especially in a huge school.

So I suppose your Head's counting the three days isolation idea.

How awful. It counts as sick leave anyway, doesn't it?

Didn't used to. In Scotland and Wales if you test positive you have to stay home 5 days and have 2 negative tests 24 hours apart. I would be so worried I had passed it on.

Definitely counts as sick leave in Wales now too.

The HT can "want you back in" all they like, but if you're ill, you're ill.
He's not to know how badly you may or may not be suffering.
I'd be staying home.

I totally agree with you but unfortunately for teachers there are absence management policies in place which cause additional stress. For example, 2 absences in 6 months leads to a warning and any the policy escalates quickly from that point for and further absences.
Of course that’s wrong but you can see why people might not feel as if they have a choice whether to work or not. Then there is the whole expectation to set cover work and respond to emails when you are off too.