Occupational health, pgce migraines
Hi,
I am going back to uni in September to complete pgce. I have fda in early years, degree in working with children. I have 7 years experience working with children. The last year I was an unqualified teacher.
I completed my occupational health form months ago but they have emailed to make an appointment to speak to them. I suffer with migraines but it is controlled with several medications. I had mental health difficulties in the past the last time in 2020. I am on anti depressants however it was discussed at my last appointment to slowly wean off them once I have completed uni.
I did not mention my mental health on the form as 1. My previous employment (unqualified teacher) used it against me, it was an extremely toxic working environment and I was bullied, harassed, gas lit and at one point I was the only teacher and was told to write a whole curriculum! 2. Poor mental health has not affected my work and my last episode not related to stress was in 2020 the start of lockdown, (which was also stress related!)
Would they kick me off the course for not declaring? Are they wanting to talk to me due to migraines?
I am going back to uni in September to complete pgce. I have fda in early years, degree in working with children. I have 7 years experience working with children. The last year I was an unqualified teacher.
I completed my occupational health form months ago but they have emailed to make an appointment to speak to them. I suffer with migraines but it is controlled with several medications. I had mental health difficulties in the past the last time in 2020. I am on anti depressants however it was discussed at my last appointment to slowly wean off them once I have completed uni.
I did not mention my mental health on the form as 1. My previous employment (unqualified teacher) used it against me, it was an extremely toxic working environment and I was bullied, harassed, gas lit and at one point I was the only teacher and was told to write a whole curriculum! 2. Poor mental health has not affected my work and my last episode not related to stress was in 2020 the start of lockdown, (which was also stress related!)
Would they kick me off the course for not declaring? Are they wanting to talk to me due to migraines?
Reply 1
So during my PGCE year i got severe pains in my arms- the worst pains running up my arms and spine! I ended up taking 6 weeks off and didn't come out with a PGCE but just the QTS. During my issues, I found that because I was with a smaller training provider I was able to get the support I needed but I was very honest with everything that I was going through and offered solutions both in conversations and writing to back everything up.
Many years later I found out that the pains were my body's reaction to extreme stress!
And like you I had worked in a school previous as a TA and teacher so I was not a stranger to the environment.
In answer to your question, no they shouldn't kick you off, they may ask why but just stand firm and explain clearly. AS so why they wish to talk to you after talking to OH, they have to talk to you no matter what was said in the OH appt as they need to discuss the outcomes from the OH with you and what they will put in place for you. Hope this helps.
Many years later I found out that the pains were my body's reaction to extreme stress!
And like you I had worked in a school previous as a TA and teacher so I was not a stranger to the environment.
In answer to your question, no they shouldn't kick you off, they may ask why but just stand firm and explain clearly. AS so why they wish to talk to you after talking to OH, they have to talk to you no matter what was said in the OH appt as they need to discuss the outcomes from the OH with you and what they will put in place for you. Hope this helps.
Reply 2
Occupational Health are there to serve you. They will create a report to instruct your training provider, employer etc. of certain adjustments which legally they then need to follow to the best of their ability. In your OH just mention that your MH has never interfered with your work and you don’t foresee that changing if you’re concerned.
Declare it - it’s important to be open, especially when working in fields that require a DBS etc.
I’m a teacher, I was worried about declaring my mental health in my PGCE applications but I did because it’s a diagnosed condition and I wouldn’t have thought twice about not declaring my physical disability.
Declare it - it’s important to be open, especially when working in fields that require a DBS etc.
I’m a teacher, I was worried about declaring my mental health in my PGCE applications but I did because it’s a diagnosed condition and I wouldn’t have thought twice about not declaring my physical disability.
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