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AIBU?

To think school heads should be contactable in school holidays

752 replies

EloiseMinch · 23/07/2018 16:28

A secondary head is likely to be on 70k+ and a primary head of 50k+. Those are high salaries for positions of senior management responsibility. AIBU to think they shouldn't just cut off completely in the school holidays?

Maybe some heads really are working in the holidays but I know the head at DC's school definitely doesn't. She is, for example, completely uncontactable from the end of one term to the start of the next.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 23/07/2018 16:30

Does she not get involved on the days results are out?

I don't know what you would need to contact them about TBH.

swashbucklecheer · 23/07/2018 16:30

Everyone is entitled to a holiday

Abouttoblow · 23/07/2018 16:30

If you work, are you available during your holidays/annual leave?

BillywilliamV · 23/07/2018 16:31

Why, what do you want to say to her that cant wait until your child goes back to school?

popcorndiva · 23/07/2018 16:31

Contactable for what exactly?

NewYearNewMe18 · 23/07/2018 16:32

Uncontactable doesn't mean she isn't working. It merely means she doesn't want to talk to you out of hours.

ohreallyohreallyoh · 23/07/2018 16:32

So they shouldn’t be allowed holidays?

I am struggling to come up with a scenario where a head needs contacting immediately. They will still read their emails and likely be in contact with Social Services, the Police etc so they are aware of any major issues going on in their pupil’s lives but for parents to contact willy jolly, no, not reasonable.

NonaGrey · 23/07/2018 16:32

Why would she need to be contactable?

I’m sure she reads her email.

EloiseMinch · 23/07/2018 16:33

If you work, are you available during your holidays/annual leave?

I suppose I regard 13 weeks holidays as too much for a manager on a high salary.

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EloiseMinch · 23/07/2018 16:34

I’m sure she reads her email.

She refuses to give out her email address so there is no way to contact her at all outside term time.

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AnduinsGirl · 23/07/2018 16:34

Ah so it comes down to holiday jealousy. Nice.

BottleOfJameson · 23/07/2018 16:34

I actually don't think that's a huge salary for someone at the pinnacle of their career with the stress and responsibility associated with it. My DS's head would certainly be contactable for something important during the holidays (NOT petty issues) but that's his own good will.

SandyFagina · 23/07/2018 16:34

Thankfully what you regard as too much means absolutely fuck all.

SinglePringle · 23/07/2018 16:35

How many weeks would be appropriate?

SigningPete · 23/07/2018 16:35

Hahahahahahahaha EloiseMinch you live in a fantasy world if you think any educator gets 13 weeks holiday a year!!!

Noodledoodledoo · 23/07/2018 16:35

Our head checks her email, is in touch with some members of staff when appropriate.

Results day both A and GCSE will be there and the day before and possibly after.

With the exception of anytime away they are aware of things going on.

Although I am intrigued as to what you want to contact them about during the holidays?

EloiseMinch · 23/07/2018 16:35

Ah so it comes down to holiday jealousy. Nice.

Yes :)

Note that I don't resent the holidays of school teachers at all. Just 13 weeks holiday for a highly paid public sector employee in a senior management role.

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ProfessorMoody · 23/07/2018 16:35

It's not a holiday though. Heads and teachers work through the children's holiday.

MissDollyMix · 23/07/2018 16:35

Really? YABVU! I know plenty of people who earn a lot more than 70k and still take the occasional holiday. Everyone is entitled to that otherwise you get burnout and you'd probably be the first to complain if a headteacher takes time off sick! (and no, I'm not a teacher)

mumsneedwine · 23/07/2018 16:36

You do realise they are not paid during those 13 weeks. Teachers are paid for 195 days although to make it easier pay is split equally into 12 chunks. And heads will be working a lot - but having a well deserved rest from parents.

AlpacaLypse · 23/07/2018 16:36

I am currently trying to help a friend who is a secondary head find a holiday that works for her dogs (all large rescues, and they go on holiday with the family) and has zero reception so she's finally got an excuse to NOT read emails for a whole week. Before she has a nervous breakdown. As it is she can only spare one week of the whole holiday as there is so much paperwork to plough through.

TheFaerieQueene · 23/07/2018 16:36

Don’t be be so bloody goady.

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Perdyboo · 23/07/2018 16:37

And find me a head/senior teacher/any teacher actually who really gets all of those 13 weeks as holiday...

frasersmummy · 23/07/2018 16:37

The admin staff the janitorial staff the technicians are all in at secondary schools well in this area anyway. In an emergency they have the heads number, emergency as in the school is flooded, on fire etc.

They just are not available to parents. What. Would you need them for over the summer

EloiseMinch · 23/07/2018 16:37

How many weeks would be appropriate?

How about the average of other public sector employees at a comparable level of seniority and pay? I should add that the head doesn't teach. I fully understand that school teaching is another completely different kettle of fish.

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