School Strikes 26th March - Invoicing the LEA

[Bexinder]

Just wanted to share what I'm doing, and I wonder if we can get some sort of campaign going. Lots of UK schools are closed due to teacher's industrial action next Wednesday 26th March. Given that we parents have absolutely no leeway when it comes to taking children out of school during term time and will be hit with heavy fines per child if we do without permission, I'm invoicing my local education authority for failing to provide education on this day. They haven't asked MY permission to allow the school to close.....Now I'm not expecting them to pay this at all, but I am wanting to cause a stink. They can close the school over the pay and pensions row, but I can't take my children out of school for a funeral.
Sorry - rant over... if anyone wants to copy the invoice, let me know and I'll post it. Thanks!

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Don't be so stupid.

[Northernlurker]

This is a bit petty isn't it? I know strikes are anoying but come on - you'll just look a bit daft.

[Bexinder]

Why is it stupid? The LEA are allowed to fine parents, why shouldn't parents make a stand when they can close schools at a whim over something that has nothing to do with my children's day to day education?

[vickibee]

I understand you are cross about it but this is not in control of the LEA, maybe it would be better to send to NUT as it is them who have called this strike.
Our school is part shut, two classes out and three in so some parents have one child at school and one at home. LUDICROUS.
With regards to penisons public sector workers have good pensions compared to others so maybe thay should count their blessings....

[MirandaWest]

Not taking your child out of school and teachers striking are two separate issues.

Why are you invoicing the LEA? Surely it should be the NUT union you are invoicing? The LEA has no control over whether teachers strike. They can't provide a days education for your child because teachers belonging to the NUT union are striking.

[AuntieStella]

Slightly a side issue to this thread, but authorising absence for funerals is not part of the Sept 2013 changes (which affected only family holidays). It sounds as if you have a weak HT who is hiding their (poor) judgment behind an LEA/Governmental bogeyman.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

It is not 'at a whim' and it is not 'nothing to do' with your child's education!

[Bexinder]

Great point - it will go to the NUT. But the LEA do have a responsibility to provide education. Just got off the phone to the Sun, they're going to back this.

[TheOriginalSteamingNit]

Well, that's all you need to know then, isn't it

[Forgettable]

Jeez

[MirandaWest]

But how can the LEA provide education if the teachers aren't at school? Seriously you are not thinking this through.

[AuntieStella]

What do you expect the LEA to do to break the strike? Or what will The Sun be asking them to do?

[vickibee]

why can't supply teachers be brought in to cover striking staff from another union?

[mummy1973]

Please read why they are striking www.teachers.org.uk

[ShoeWhore]

I agree, this is the teachers who have decided to strike, it's not the LA's decision. Usually then individual HTs have to take the decision whether they have sufficient staff to keep school open or not. And there are legal restrictions on how they can provide cover - they are not allowed to pay a supply teacher for example (although if a day's supply cover was already booked for another reason, they can use it). So if enough teachers strike, the LAs hands are pretty well tied.

[vickibee]

My Ds's teacher is away on a course that day so even though she is NUT they can get a cover teacher in so my son's class is going ahead. It kind of gets rid of the teacher making a decision about the strike, perhaps she did it on purpose?

[newbieman1978]

The two issues you raise are not comparable.

If you and the majority of parents staged some sort of protest which involved not sending your children to school for a day I'm 100% sure that no one would be fined. That would be a comparable situation to teachers striking.

On the issue of Funerals, I don't know of a head teacher that would not authorise a day for a funeral. Unless you are asking for a week off for the funeral of great aunty Mary in Spain whom the child has no relationship with just because it's more convenient for you.

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

The sun's a good choice. They like massive tits. Which is what you are going to look like if you carry this plan through.

I would have thought DM would be the more traditional route though.

[Curlynoodles]

The sun = scum

[BikeRunSki]

Because we live in a democratic society where strikes are legal, but unauthorised absence from school isn't.

I say that as someone who will be inconvenienced by the strike, and taking a day's leave means we won't be able to go and see the PiLs at Easter. So - teacher strike = 2 dc not seeing their GPs.

[Galena]

Supplybteachers can be used if they are directly employed by the LA. They cannot be brought in from agencies. However, very few supply teachers are now LA-employed.

[ApplySomePressure]

As a teacher, I am offended at your use of the word "whim". I am not part of the NUT and will not be striking, but I did go out on strike last year when called upon by my union.

I would do some serious research before you make yourself look foolish. I cannot even be bothered to explain what damage Gove has done to our education system, our terms and conditions of pay and our pensions.

[titchy]

What are you invoicing the LEA/NUT for exactly? The cost of the tutor you're going to have to hire to replace the teaching your child would have had?

[17leftfeet]

Hands OP a grip

It's not the teachers decision to fine parents

It is their right to strike over what is a very important issue

Teachers are invaluable and as a parent I support the strike as I want my children's teachers to be in happy secure jobs so they can do their best for my children and be advocates for their profession so more well educated, enthusiastic graduates see teaching as a credible and viable career choice