Teacher who hates current job but trying for a baby, I feel like I’m stuck here

[Eststarr]

Hi all,
I’m a primary school teacher and recently feel like I hate my job at the school I’m working at. It’s currently making me really unhappy and I’m dreading going to work every day. I really want to quit the school I’m at and apply somewhere else… but here’s the issue.
I have a 2yo and myself and husband are currently trying for our second baby. I haven’t fallen pregnant yet and obviously I don’t know when it will happen but I feel like I’m now trapped at my current job.
If I apply for another teaching job i legally couldn’t start there until September due to the dates we’re allowed to hand in our notice. If I apply for another job and get it to start in September 2022 then I could potentially be several months pregnant by that time (at least I’m hoping to be!) which would mean 1. I’d miss out on maternity pay and 2. I wouldn’t be making a great first impression, starting out somewhere new and leaving within months to have a baby.
What should I do??

I'd still apply for jobs for a sept start and continue trying to get pregnant in the meantime. There's too many variables to put it off. You may not get another job, in which case you will be able to go off on mat leave at least. You may get another job but not get pregnant before you start, in which case at least you have a new job. If you do get another teaching job and get pregnant you'll be in one of the better professions for this - the unions are all over maternity rights so while they may quietly curse your name they won't make it known!

Just don't tell them at interview that you are trying for a baby!

The maternity pay issue may be a proper problem.

But no woman should ever be feeling that it might ‘look bad’ or damage her career to start a new job and choose to have a baby. Maternity discrimination is a huge issue for all women largely because of the still pervasive attitudes about maternity leave as somehow letting your work down.

Change post because it suits your career and personal well-being. Have a baby because it suits your family. The school can get maternity cover.

Just go, OP. You can’t plan for these things.

Maternity pay within teaching shouldn't be an issue - but worth checking if you work for an academy or you may move from one local authority to another.

If you are working for the same LA then your maternity pay shouldn't be affected no?

Yes but so many schools are academies now, it makes it more complicated.

@SirSamVimesCityWatch

Yes but so many schools are academies now, it makes it more complicated.

Which academy trusts don’t use burgundy book for maternity?