Schools to stay open during the holidays?

[DoubleAction]

First let me say I absolutely support schools and school staff being asked to do whatever is necessary.

I'm not sure why opening over Easter is necessary though. Staff are already on their knees from all the upheaval over the last couple of weeks and the next two will I'm sure be testing too. Society is already geared up for us to be closed for those two weeks. I would expect staff to go above and beyond in the coming weeks but I'm not sure what's to be gained by removing this valuable break, apart from perhaps losing a lot of goodwill.

What am I missing?

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Where is the info on the break being asked to be removed, I haven't read this.

[Decorhate]

I’m assuming it’s to allow NHS workers to keep working. @DrMadelineMaxwell it was in the info the government sent to schools this evening. I think it was also mentioned in one of the speeches.

[StrawberryJam200]

It depends how serious we regard this thing as being, OP.

[DrMadelineMaxwell]

Thanks.

[uhohmog]

So frontline workers can work, shit will be hitting the fan by then.

[Hippywannabe]

It is in the D of E email.

[CamillaBeauchamp]

This is about NHS workers being able to perform their job in a national crisis

[ScorpionQueen]

If usual holiday childcare is clubs and grandparents we'll need to be open so that people can work to provide essential services like medical treatment and food. I'm prepared to do my bit as long as I'm well.

[SallyLovesCheese]

I think it's a chance for teachers to show the general public that we can step up when required. (I know, I know, we shouldn't have to, but it's true that some media outlets and people just think we do virtually nothing!)

While we're contracted to work 195 days, there's nothing to say when holiday is given, so it may be we can take it later, or arrange a rota system, or maybe they'll end up paying us overtime (yeah right)!

Also, there are supply teachers and peripatetic teachers who could be used to cover, perhaps.

[BobbyBlueCat]

I think medical staff, hospital cleaners and emergency services staff might like a well earned break too.
But can't have one. Because WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUCKING UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL EMERGENCY!!

You're tired? So are we.
Bit until the world isn't on its knees, you suck it up buttercup.

We all do our part now.
Having your school holiday breaks isn't your part.

[TheWordWomanIsTaken]

Well said BobbyBlueCat

[trilbydoll]

Could holiday clubs not run on the same basis, ie for children of essential workers? The ones round here use school premises anyway. As long as they can find sufficient staff obviously.

[DoubleAction]

I only asked! I've been telling colleagues all week that, as public servants, we will need to step up. I've also said I thought it was unlikely all the feverish preparation to teach remotely would be used and we'd more likely be safeguarding and childminding.

Sadly many colleagues have been hanging on for the closure announcement. I know the already sky high absence will be even higher tomorrow. I was looking for help in selling this to those who remain!

[alliejay81]

I'm a senior manager in the NHS but very far removed from the front-line (long-term strategy). There's a pretty good chance at some point during this crisis I will be redeployed and have to muck in.

If you work in the public sector, whatever you do, we're public servants first and foremost.

[Minesabecks]

The people who run the after school club at dd's school have asked us to keep paying half fees, so they can get half wages, so they don't go out of business. I suspect if given the opportunity to take on a holiday club they would be pleased to have the pay. There are other ideas to consider as well as removing holidays, which would potentially cause a shed load of issues re pay etc.
Supply teachers who are losing money might be keen too.
People who are 25 without dependants are a bit more likely to be keen than those who are in their 40s and 50s with children.

[SallyLovesCheese]

I've found out on another thread that health care workers are doing overtime for free and having holidays cancelled and taken away.

So I think we can give up some unpaid time, too.

[Effic]

We are effectively being asked to be ‘free’ child care so it means there is a big financial incentive for part time NHS staff to up their hours without upping their child care costs.

And tbh the vast majority of staff in our schools think it’s fair enough given the circumstances. Unlike the most others, we do not have to worry about being fired, made redundant etc. Our wages are effectively guaranteed by the tax payer so the least we can do. Teachers can bring their own children with them and the total numbers of children we are being asked to look after are low enough that for a trust like us, we have enough staff to do a 7 days a week rota if asked. We are about 25% down in staff and its stupid crazy now to get it set up but after that it will be fine. There really isn’t much for teachers to do once there are so few kids ......in fact lots of staff are actually looking forward to it. Teaching for fun, following children and teacher interests with no exam or ofsted pressure ..... teachers’ dream!

[Apple1971]

I’m a teacher.

I am happy to do whatever is needed to help
I am happy to work through the holidays
I am happy to teach / babysit / work in a different school if needed

I am still getting paid
I won’t lose my job
I need to do my bit
My partner is a nurse and doesn’t have a choice either about working

Please fellow teachers don’t be an embarrassment to our profession. Step up and help when it’s needed. We have no choice - any of us.

[Smellbellina]

I hate to agree with Bobby Fuck Face but he’s actually right on this one.

[Sotiredofthislife]

Not all of us can step up. We are high risk ourselves, have caring responsibilities that can’t be taken to a classroom or have children who are high risk. Personally, all 3! I sincerely hope my head doesn’t start putting pressure on.

[serialtester]

I work in a school and once I'm out of SI I'm happy to be deployed wherever to keep things ticking over.

[serialtester]

I'd even stock the toilet roll aisle in a supermarket!

[LittleBearPad]

Because the holiday clubs are closing.

[RingPiece]

All the teachers I know totally expect not to be working from home for months to come but to go into work and teach a smaller amount of children. They are worried, though, that the rota when released, will be difficult to juggle alongside their own childcare commitments and they will have no choice but to call upon grandparents to help it which is exactly what shouldn't be happening.
Also, judging by the amount of teachers off school this week, it will be left to a mere few to manage it amongst themselves.

What happens if there's only a handful of staff left? Do the children of key workers and the vulnerable kids travel to a different school further away if there aren't enough teachers to teach them in their existing schools?

[1066vegan]

Frontline workers need to keep going. A lot of them probably rely on grandparents and friends for childcare in the summer holidays. With self isolation and social distancing, that won't be possible for the Easter holidays (and maybe summer half term).




I'm a primary school teacher. My dd is a teenager so I don't need childcare, I don't have any existing health problems and I can drop my mum's shopping in her porch without coming into contact with her.



Any teacher who is in my position needs to step up and go into school if we're needed. Anybody who is unwilling to do so, either hasn't grasped the seriousness of the situation or only thinks of themselves and wants to work to rule. That means they're either to stupid or too selfish to be in the teaching profession.