If you need to rearrange childcare because of teacher strikes, then your child's class could actually go in...

[NCTDN]

Ok so my head has told the classes who had teachers striking last time that they won't be in for the next one (being fair to parents to give them chance to reorganise), but we can decide as teachers up to the day whether we strike or not. I'm totally in favour of the strikes because schools in England are falling apart. There's no funding for anything.
However I can't really afford to strike. If you had a child in my class, arranged childcare for that day (or took a day off work), but then found out that the teacher wasn't actually striking si children were expected in school, how would you feel?
I really don't want to upset parents.

How is this…

head has told the classes who had teachers striking last time that they won't be in for the next one

compatible with…
**
but then found out that the teacher wasn't actually striking so children were expected in school

?

If the head has told parents that the teacher won’t be in, then at what point will they be telling them that the teacher will infact be in and their child is expected in school?

Personally, if I was the parent in that situation then I’d be telling the head that I’ll be continuing with my alternative childcare arrangements as planned, but I wouldn’t hold it against the teacher one way or the other.

If the heads already told people the kids won’t be in then that’s the decision made really isn’t it? As a parent I’d be annoyed and let the school no my kids wouldn’t be in anyway.

If you want to strike but th loss of wages is an issue, you can contact your local union office and they can help from the hardship fund. I think it is 50% of the days wage you can get.

@GiltEdges Paul Woolwich striking don't need to provide any advance notice of whether they will or won't be striking. The idea is to cause disruption, it's entirely up to the person whether or not they give the HT notice. Sounds like the HT is trying to anticipate based on last action which is understandable but they do run the risk of being wrong.

I understand all of that. But if I’d made alternative arrangements as a parent then I wouldn’t be changing them back again at the last minute.

I just wouldn't send my child in. I'd continue with my alternative childcare arrangements. I wouldn't be upset with the teacher at all though.

I'd be annoyed if I'd spent a fortune on extra childcare if the teacher was there and available to teach yes.

Ok thanks. I know that as a parent I probably would have been annoyed if that happened when my children required childcare, but also would see the teachers point of view. That's why I wanted to ask and it's good to get a variety of responses.
Yes the HT just wanted to anticipate the situation and forewarn parents - at the end of the day teachers aren't striking against their school and the parents of that school, it's against the government. So the more we can keep parents happy, the better.
I have a truly lovely school with amazing parents and would hate to upset them.

Well I’m not sure how it’s any different to parents who have no childcare losing a day of paid work when teachers strike? Not everyone gets holiday leave or has childcare options.

If you want to strike it’s meant to be disruptive. Yes it’s a pita for parents, but speaking as a parent who loses income every time teachers strike, my child’s ongoing education is more important. If good teachers leave left right and centre that’s a way bigger issue for me than losing a couple days work.

Any parent who doesn’t see that is shortsighted.

I know teachers don’t need to tell their head what they’re doing on strike days, but our head is lovely and fully supportive of us, so I would tell them in advance what my plans were so they can inform parents.

If parents make plans around their teacher striking and the class being closed but the class is open on the day, what happens? Do they get a text at 8am? What if the child is at grandma’s overnight 50 miles away as planned childcare -do they get given 2x unauthorised absences?

I'd be more annoyed at the HT insisting the children were in. Parents should have the choice in this situation imo.

I wouldn't be annoyed at the teacher.

@LibrariansGiveUsPower that's lovely to hear.
@howshouldibehave absolutely true - and I have no idea. I know we don't even have to tell school and just not turn up but that's just unfair on the whole school community. I don't know what would happen if we say 'I don't want to say whether I'm striking' then turn up on that day.

The strike is over a week away isn't it? If you aren't striking can't you just tell the HT now and they can put out comms to that effect?

I wouldn't expect the classes to suddenly reopen after being told they were shut, so not sure how you'd know the teacher was in?

The next strike might only be a week away, but there is only one school day between then and now round here. We've not heard anything, so are assuming school is fully open..... they were pretty much shut last time so probably wrong. DH will be WFH so not the end of thecworld for us if we've guessed wrong.