AIBU to think school closures ignore parents' work commitments?

I feel like they should keep going as normal and relax what the kids are doing, so no PE, rather than focus on desk based work which they won’t take in as they are lethargic give them something more relaxed to do even if it’s watching some decent educational TV. It’s too disruptive to close the school this last minute it’s not like this wasn’t forecast!

Correct- the purpose of schools is to provide a safe environment for learning to your children, not to provide childcare so you can work.

There was a labour government in power from 1974 until 1978. I was a primary school teacher at that time. Taught 37 6-8 year olds in a leaky portakabin where we froze in winter and baked in summer. Has there ever been a government of any persuasion which has actually prioritised education?

The OP has very clearly said that she understands why they are closing and will take leave. The problem is the way in which the school have communicated which very much suggests that they believe every child has someone sitting around at home with no other commitments who can just drop everything and rearrange for new sports day arrangements.

I do not think schools should or need to fully close, the main issue in high heat is that there are too many bodies in too small of a space. Schools could issue comms to parents saying that school is optional during this period, that if they would prefer to keep the kids home and do worksheets/reading then they can but that school will be open for those unable to facilitate that.

The school would end up much less occupied, the kids that do go in could spread out, would generate less heat in the classrooms and could use outdoor shaded spaces for alternative provision. They should relax the uniform to allow for everyone teachers included to be more comfortable and accept that the work productivity would be reduced but not completely absent.

it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, open or closed.

Everyone's jobs are important to the running of our country, not just the blessed key worker ones..

Or have a longer summer break of June/July/August.
Or have summer hours of 7am-1pm instead of 9-3.

They could have said that because of the extreme heat they recognise that some parents would rather not be sending their children into school for the rest of the week. But that equally they recognise that some parents may not be able to make arrangements to have them at home at such short notice. Therefore, they will be open for those children with an appropriately altered timetable and would appreciate any parents who are keeping their children home to let them know so that some work can be sent for them.

It’s fucking stupid closing schools, its just a hot day! If they have to close then they need to move summer holidays from jul/august to end of may/june!

I'm a working mum so I know how difficult is is, but school buildings (often) have got even worse over the years. Crowded, more so probably than when you were at school, more challenging students-which is relevant as this can get even worse in the heat Some schools have been completely rebuilt in the last decade and are better, but teacher friends tell me that sometimes the old grammar school type buildings are actually better and more comfortable than newer builds. As a parent, it makes me sad that we have to rely on schools for childcare. Schools should be for education, not babysitting. If we're relying on them for childcare, the buildings need to be improved. It won't happen overnight, but there doesn't seem to be much political will to improve them at all.

So presumably you think that a parent should always be at home contactable by phone and ready to take over at all times whilst their child is in school.

Which parent i wonder? If that parent gives up their career and gets trapped in an abusive relationship as a consequence of having no financial independence, what should that parent then do?

What should single parents do, this includes widowed single parents?

Yeah obviously that too....it doesnt have to have only one purpose does it! But OBVIOUSLY given most people work Mon-Fri, it's also used as childcare.

This is very poor, our local primary school has also decided to finish at midday, but children can stay in school for the afternoon for childcare if parents are unable to collect them and lunch will be provided.
The local college is also closing early, this is a new build, (less than 5 years old) not fitted with any AC or solar panels because the LA took a short term cost saving view, rather than considering any future-proofing.

What a stupid question 😂

This.

Anyone who voted for successive Tory governments that dismantled/scrapped school improvement programs and wilfully ignored school infrastructure issues for 15 years has no place to whine that schools are open/closed/cold/hot/crap/whatever.

I’d agree with you if the school and LA’s weren’t punishing parents for having their kids off for sickness or family emergencies.

I agree with the heat meaning shorter days, I just think the argument that school isn’t childcare when the same school will second guess your parenting on how sick your child is and harass you to force them in is a bit hypocritical.

If schools aren’t childcare then they need to back off trying to take the role of parent around things like reasonable missed attendance.

Just don't do the work. You're right that you can't drop everything if you work and it does cause issues, but we must recognise it's for valid reasons. Equally I think schools must realise some people will be working or having to find emergency childcare and won't be in a position to complete work with their children at home. Tbh they'd probably rather not send any home but then someone will complain about that too.

How would you suggest society functions then instead?

You would have to take leave if you couldn’t find alternative cover though wouldn’t you!

I rather suspect they word it as they do to stop entitled parents messaging back that they need childcare, it's inconvenient, they've got to work etc. Adopting a 'tough shit' tone may be tactical.

If you say so. Everyone I know uses it for education…

Overall I agree with you, but living full-time and growing up in a particular climate is not the same as suddenly being thrown into it for a week when you are more generally acclimated to something different.

How are teachers supposed to do that?

Are they and the kids of other key workers supposed to be made of sterner stuff?

Schools exist to educate children, not provide unpaid daycare.

AIBU to think school closures ignore parents' work commitments?

I would argue the opposite: that employers are unreasonable to ignore parental commitments.

They shouldn’t be.