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Y6 teacher and death of parent

257 replies

Readysteadygotoschool · 12/05/2024 00:33

My dad died today, after very brief illness. I’m a Y6 teacher and it’s test week from Monday.

I just don’t think I can be in school this week. Feel like I’m letting the kids down and the teacher guilt is making me think I should just go in for the four days of tests and front it out then deal with it afterwards.

I haven’t told my headteacher yet but he will probably be pissed off if I don’t go in. I don’t know what to do.

OP posts:
Infinity234 · 13/05/2024 19:49

That Head sounds like an utter prick!!! So sorry for your loss, I would never want my child’s teacher to be at work in those circumstances unless they wanted to be!

Mamasharp97 · 13/05/2024 19:43

Test week is the easiest cover ever. So the cover supervisor will be fine. If you think you can’t have compassionate leave it’s ok to white lie and be sick instead OP, then you can be off for a week with the flu or something xxxx

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 13/05/2024 19:41

I'm so sorry for your loss. You should definitely take the time off. And if your head is not sympathetic I think I'd be looking for another job.

Harls1969 · 13/05/2024 19:36

I'm so sorry for your loss. But your HT should not be pissed off if you take time off for a bereavement. When my dad died, I emailed my head and she was fantastic, told me to take as long as I needed. I took the rest of that week off (4 days), plus the week of his funeral off

Halfheadhighlights · 13/05/2024 19:34

Readysteadygotoschool · 12/05/2024 19:19

Thanks so much for all the well wishes and messages. I've spent the day with my mum and sisters. @Hollysberries , he was 67, so not very old at all.

My Headteacher responded to my text with 'OK'... so fuck him.

I hope I'm not the teacher for any of you with Y6 kids. If I am, thank you for being so kind to me. It helps to know that you wouldn't be judgemental about taking time off.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my Dad at Christmas time (2023) aged 67 too. I was off work for 2 months and got a sick note from the doctor.

You need time to grieve, be with your lovely family and to process your loss.

Do not worry about the school or headteacher.

Jack80 · 13/05/2024 19:29

Sorry for your loss

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 13/05/2024 19:23

Readysteadygotoschool · 12/05/2024 19:19

Thanks so much for all the well wishes and messages. I've spent the day with my mum and sisters. @Hollysberries , he was 67, so not very old at all.

My Headteacher responded to my text with 'OK'... so fuck him.

I hope I'm not the teacher for any of you with Y6 kids. If I am, thank you for being so kind to me. It helps to know that you wouldn't be judgemental about taking time off.

Well that’s awful and you should report him. He should at least check in with you. The person I manage had her grandma die recently and we sent flowers and told her to take the time she needed.

Glad you are taking time, you should not burn yourself to the ground for that arsehole.

OldPerson · 13/05/2024 19:03

Grief is very personal and very different for everyone.

You have not yet had time to process all this. Most people are rubbish at processing grief. They worry about the small stuff - like how much they will missed at work and will it impact the pupils. Or they get angry or try to find someone to be angry at.

You've had a major event in your life. You won't even know how it's going to affect you, until you start experiencing and realising life is different.

And you can't even beging to do that until the funeral happens.

Your pupils will turn up at school like normal. A substitute teacher will step in. Your colleagues will step in. Everyone you work with will try to make it okay for both you and your pupils.

But the sooner you schedule in time for you not to be okay, the easier it will be.

I don't know your family dynamics - but arranging a funeral or a gathering to scatter ashes can be physically and emotionally draining. Sometimes in a good way. It acts as a release.

If you feel discombobulated/ distant/ unsettled/ want to compartmentalise actions/ confused. You're not. You're just supressing emotions that will bite you in the backside.

So as much as no one grieves on cue and as expected - focussing on funerals, death rituals, might just help you more in the longer term.

I have an aquaintance/friend/colleague who is waiting for her very loved mother to die. For the past 5 months. The stress she is under is enormous. We've all seen the changes, but she thinks she's coping. She travels hundreds of miles every weekend. But she can't grieve because mum is not dead. She's got a set pattern waiting for the final death. She's outspoken in waiting for the final death. But it is consuming her. She's now such a tightly wound spring - that the company is putting in place counselling services and support for "the final event", because it's grief and denial and it's most raw.

Halloumidays · 13/05/2024 18:30

We’ve had similar situations in our school and on both occasions they’ve had at least 2-3 weeks off with the heads blessing. Having lost my Dad a few years ago I would absolutely say take the time off.

Coastgirl22 · 13/05/2024 18:26

Sorry you’re going through this. You will have a Bereavement clause in your absence policy setting out clearly what you can expect under these circumstances. It will be expected that you will have time off to grieve and deal with practical issues. Be kind to yourself x

Mexicansky · 13/05/2024 18:10

JoleneTookHerMan · 13/05/2024 14:33

My dd is in y6 and taking SATS today..

If you were her teacher, I would fully expect you to take the week (and any further time after) off.
Sorry for your loss..x

I was just about to write exactly this!
look after yourself x

DiduAye · 13/05/2024 18:08

Sats aren't a life and death issue the loss of your Father is Do not go in !

WoosMama13 · 13/05/2024 18:02

As a year six parent, I'd be disgusted with a head teacher if they didn't allow compassionate leave. So what if it's SATs this week. Your mental and physical health matter more. And staffing levels can be made right by hiring bank staff.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs.

user1472151176 · 13/05/2024 18:01

I'm so sorry for you loss.

100% take the time off to grieve. I am a year 6 parent and if my child's teacher had lost a parent I wouldn't be upset or annoyed if they weren't there for SATs week. I hope your head teacher is more understanding then you expect them to be.

NatM70 · 13/05/2024 17:52

I'm so so sorry for your loss.

You need to take time off.
SATS are not as important as your mental health.

When I lost my dad, I went back way too soon, and it came back to bite me big time.
I ended up in a worse state than if I'd taken time to grieve properly.

If your Head is horrible about this, then he / she has no soul at all.

Do not feel bad, you need to concentrate on you for now x

Frankie2018 · 13/05/2024 17:49

OP my dad died recently too. I tried to front it out. Don't go in, you need this time. I'm sorry x

Teacherprebaby · 13/05/2024 17:43

Fellow teacher, DO NOT understand any circumstances go in!

Xmasbaby11 · 13/05/2024 17:40

Please get signed off and take the time. I would be horrified if my daughter's teacher felt obliged to work under those circumstances. The children will be fine and there will be plenty of staff to support them.

JoleneTookHerMan · 13/05/2024 14:33

My dd is in y6 and taking SATS today..

If you were her teacher, I would fully expect you to take the week (and any further time after) off.
Sorry for your loss..x

BlondeFool · 13/05/2024 14:32

I'm so sorry for your loss. Be kind to yourself.

Your head sounds like a prick.

Sugargliderwombat · 13/05/2024 14:29

Your head teacher sounds absolutely shocking. Everyone else will feel nothing but compassion for you. X

ToxicChristmas · 13/05/2024 08:19

Readysteadygotoschool · 12/05/2024 19:19

Thanks so much for all the well wishes and messages. I've spent the day with my mum and sisters. @Hollysberries , he was 67, so not very old at all.

My Headteacher responded to my text with 'OK'... so fuck him.

I hope I'm not the teacher for any of you with Y6 kids. If I am, thank you for being so kind to me. It helps to know that you wouldn't be judgemental about taking time off.

Head is a prick. Genuinely shocks me that employers/bosses get away with treating their staff like shit. I'm an employer and I'd NEVER be so heartless and cold to my valued employees, even if the absence caused a few issues. Your dad has died, you haven't bunked off with a cold. Look after yourself OP.

Hopebridge · 13/05/2024 08:09

Readysteadygotoschool · 12/05/2024 19:19

Thanks so much for all the well wishes and messages. I've spent the day with my mum and sisters. @Hollysberries , he was 67, so not very old at all.

My Headteacher responded to my text with 'OK'... so fuck him.

I hope I'm not the teacher for any of you with Y6 kids. If I am, thank you for being so kind to me. It helps to know that you wouldn't be judgemental about taking time off.

I'm so sorry your head is so unkind. Take all the time you need. I'm sure the children will be absolutely fine. Take care.

Hopebridge · 13/05/2024 08:08

It really depends on you. When my Mum died I couldn't function. When my husbands dad died he went to work the next day but the distraction helped him. Grief is such a personal thing. Only you can decide how best to manage your grief. If you will be at home worrying about the children all week perhaps you are best to go in.

I'm so sorry your loss.

Confusedmeanderings · 12/05/2024 23:00

You need to do what is best for you. It isn't ideal, but your class will be fine and your HT will manage the situation. My Mum died totally unexpectedly the weekend before I was due to take 52 Y6 children away on a residential. I was the lead teacher. I knew I couldn't do it and phoned my HT on the Sunday morning. By the time they were due to go on the Monday he had everything under control and had found some one to step up and take my place. Really, everything will be fine, you need to take time to grieve. Sending you my condolences.

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