School strikes: what's the consequences?

[Michaelsmummy2016]

Serious question: what is the consequence of children missing a vital day of education through strikes/ votes etc to schools/ teachers? In the same way as me allowing a day off for something?

[Farahilda]

When a whole class is off, there is no need to 'catch up' the ones who have missed what the rest of the class has been introduced to.

Yes, of course teachers/TAs do that for pupils who have been ill, but it does add to the workload and divert attention away from the class as a whole.

[PotteringAlong]

If school is closed every child is off. They're all still at the same point. If you take your child out for the day they are a day behind the learning that's gone on. Take them out for 2 weeks and they're 2 weeks behind. 12 years of education, 2 weeks a year and they miss 2 terms of learning. That's a big difference by the time you get to year 11

[Wolfiefan]

What are you suggesting?

[Michaelsmummy2016]

My sons school was not completely closed (secondary) some pupils off for morning some pupils off for afternoon some pupils (inc my son) off all day

[Michaelsmummy2016]

So if all the parents of all the children in a particular class decided to have the same week off would that be the same?

[rollonthesummer]

But if that were the case, then those children would miss out on all the lessons that the children in the parallel class did...

[Wolfiefan]

Are you suggesting a bizarre parental revenge strike?!

[Michaelsmummy2016]

Well that would be assuming that there is a parallel class to start with and even so what would it matter if it was a different class? Also the original question was what is the consequence of this?

[HuckleberryGin]

There isn't much. But teachers don't decide about the fines, if that's what you are suggesting. In fact most are against them. In fact the schools don't have much say in them at all.

[Michaelsmummy2016]

No I am not suggesting anything I am just pondering the subject...

[AuditAngel]

Also, it us annoying when siblings at the same school get different outcomes,

I have 3 DC, 2 at primary, one in, one out, plus one at secondary, out am, in pm.

[Johnny5isAlive]

How does it affect their attendance? DS1s class were off but DS2s class were in as normal. Do they both keep their 100% attendance?

[Michaelsmummy2016]

I am just thinking there must be a consequence to someone how can there not be? The two scenarios are the same.

[HuckleberryGin]

No they aren't. If a whole class misses a day or half a day then you just pick up where you left off. It won't affect their attendance no. Even at secondary they will have made it so that whole classes are taught together.

Strike action is a last resort and is supposed to be disruptive, otherwise what is the point?

It is the government who reckons term time holidays are bad. Not teachers. But never mind, in a few years there won't be any qualified teachers left and I'm sure the low paid cover won't be able to strike.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

our school said any child who had to stay off due to their teacher striking will keep their attendance

[Spottytop1]

Teachers who strike don't get paid.
Children who missed a day due to strike miss nothing as class was not taught that day.


Child missing time for holiday/ day off misses the lessons taught to the other 29-31 children in the class, as the lessons continued but they weren't there...

What other consequences are you expecting??

[Michaelsmummy2016]

Both scenarios are the same children are missing a day of education because of someone's beliefs and opinions

[Michaelsmummy2016]

Is the issue purely from a point of view of just catching up on missed learning ?

[Michaelsmummy2016]

In which case that would take me back to the above question of So if all the parents of all the children in a particular class decided to have the same week off would that be the same?

[Michaelsmummy2016]

Also just reading the comments

It is the government who reckons term time holidays are bad. Not teachers. But never mind, in a few years there won't be any qualified teachers left and I'm sure the low paid cover won't be able to strike.

strike action is supposed to be disruptive surely that disruption is mainly for parents? It is the government who are not giving teachers what they want. Not parents.

[HuckleberryGin]

Yes, and tube drivers dispute is with the employer not the commuters.

All employees in unions can withdraw labour. Doctors did it and got loads of support. But teachers never get support because of the childcare issue

[Michaelsmummy2016]

I was just responding to your argument. Child care that is not an issue for me personally as my son is nearly 13. The issue for me is equality .

[sallyhasleftthebuilding]

Surely if childcare is the issue then industry is effected from parents missing work?

[HuckleberryGin]

But it isn't equal. The government are the ones deciding the fines. The teachers are completely removed from that.

[MoggyP]

The teachers unions are usually pretty vocal, but do not seem to be taking issue with attendance policy.

NAHT seems to be in favour of it.