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Original poster

Key workers: are you putting your kids in school during the strike next week?

30 replies

tinselandjoy · 26/01/2023 22:40

My DH is a key worker and school have said they will take DD next week when the strike happens. They are using the same criteria as during Covid.

I'm not a keyworker but I have a very busy and stressful job. My DPs both have covid this week so probably can't take DD unless they are clear.

I'm minded just to take up the place tbh. What are you all doing for the strikes?

I find it stressful to even think about home schooling, I think lockdown has left me with trauma.

Is it going against the spirit of the strike to send her in? I do support the teachers and have emailed the Head to tell express that.

OP posts:
fatsocatso · 26/01/2023 22:44

There will be staff in school who are not striking - support staff, teachers
in a different union and teachers from that union but who choose not to strike for their own reasons. The school has capacity and you aren't crossing a picket line if you send her, so I don't think you are letting the side down if you send her (striking teacher here).

BowtieBling · 26/01/2023 22:49

You e been offered the place so school have said they can accommodate your DD but yes I do think that it goes against the spirit of the strike.

You have a stressful job, as many do but you've probably been offered the place based on your DH role.

It's one day.
In your shoes I would absolutely not be sending her in.
I would show solidarity for the strikes by making it easy as possible for the support staff who will be remaining in school to keep it going.

Coffeellama · 26/01/2023 22:51

Send her in if they’ve said they can take her, it’s not like itl take a striking teacher off the picket line, and it’s not like covid where we were putting teachers in danger sending kids in and all needed to play our part.

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Original poster
tinselandjoy · 26/01/2023 22:52

I'd emailed my support to the school before I knew they could take DD btw, it hadn't crossed my mind they might not fully close.

OP posts:
runoutofgoodusernames · 26/01/2023 22:54

We have been told no school at all for years 7-10 (my DC) and no option to send them if you are key workers (both NHS) Guess they will just have a day at home doing fuck all then! Totally support the strikes btw ❤️

BeckyWithTheGoodHair010101 · 26/01/2023 23:18

I'm not going to be homeschooling if our school closes - I'll be working, they'll be entertaining themselves! I doubt anyone will be actually homeschooling their kids, they'll just miss a day....

Mammyloveswine · 26/01/2023 23:52

I'm a teacher but it would absolutely be inappropriate for me to use the "keyworker l excuse to send mine in! They'll be on the picket line with me Grin

Changechangychange · 26/01/2023 23:57

I’m a key worker (consultant), and DS’s school is fully shut, even to key worker children.

Good luck to them, a strike is a strike and I’m happy they have such good internal support from SLT.

DinosApple · 27/01/2023 06:41

I work as a TA in a different school to my DC.
Theirs is closing on Wednesday, they'll be at home doing online work (or not!) DH & I will be at work. They're 12 & 13.
None of the teachers at primary have given a heads up over the strike yet.

Fully support the strike. Things are absolutely dire.

FairyBatman · 27/01/2023 06:44

DS school is not closing and not a key worker any more, but I wouldn’t send him, I would see it like crossing a picket line.

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 06:46

I would absolutely send them if you can. The staff who are there aren't striking.

User1794329709 · 27/01/2023 06:48

Year 7 onwards can surely just stay home alone or out of the way if parents wfh, it's just one day.

maddy68 · 27/01/2023 06:55

Teachers in other unions will not be covering for striking teachers so it'll be support staff. Probably be with kids at in a hall watching TV depending on staffing.

tornadoinsideoutfig · 27/01/2023 07:12

Our college is 14+ so it's year 11 and vulnerable children only to be in.

As you aren't both essential workers I wouldn't send children in, unless it will put you in financial difficulties, unable to pay bills.

UnicorseTime · 27/01/2023 07:16

Wow I didn't realise some schools were doing this.

I completely support the strike (see my other posts) BUT my husband and I are both keyworkers and I won't get paid if I don't work. I was hoping we could send ours in. Primary school randomly has odd classes in and ehcp but no key workers.

Sunflowersinthewind · 27/01/2023 07:23

There is no way I will be doing any home schooling! Did that enough during covid whilst trying to do my own job from home and never again!

Anywherebuthere · 27/01/2023 07:24

If the children are of an age where they dont need constant supervision, can they just entertain/get on with work themselves while you work?

They dont have to be homeschooled.

Original poster
tinselandjoy · 27/01/2023 08:12

@Mammyloveswine are there going to be picket lines outside schools?

My DD is five so would go on the iPad for an hour or so before getting bored.

OP posts:
MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 08:15

No a KW but some dc are going to school if you’re worried about a picket line

A levels are all in at Ds’ school

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 27/01/2023 08:18

I think your way over thinking this OP.

Fuck no to home schooling

Hell yes to send them in, school have offered the provision so go for it.

Stop tying yourself in knots.

VenusClapTrap · 27/01/2023 08:18

Our school (primary) has said the teachers have agreed to give them advance notice of their intention to strike, so that they’ve been able to plan, and will be open as normal. It hadn’t crossed my mind to keep dc off! Now I’m wondering, because I do support the strike. But would they get an unauthorised absence for not going in?!

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 08:20

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 27/01/2023 08:18

I think your way over thinking this OP.

Fuck no to home schooling

Hell yes to send them in, school have offered the provision so go for it.

Stop tying yourself in knots.

Agree with this. No one will care that much. If the provision is there and you need to use it go for it.

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 27/01/2023 08:20

My DC school are apparently open so far.

They are going in. It's not up to me to uphold a union strike, I am not a teacher or a school union member.

Severntrent · 27/01/2023 08:21

Definitely send her in if she's 5 and spaces are available. You've got to work and prob need to save AL for school holidays. Unfortunately it's just not practical for you to keep her at home and you don't have alternatives.
I think we're all a bit traumatised for home schooling while trying to do our own jobs BTW!

OneFrenchEgg · 27/01/2023 08:46

I think it's weird to have actively emailed the head to support the strike but then decide you're too busy and send your kid anyway.