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Original poster

Teachers and school support staff now eligible for a Blue Light card

352 replies

noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 11:44

In case any teachers don't follow Mr P and aren't aware, teachers and school support staff (including sixth form colleges) have been added to the list of people eligible for a Blue Light card. If you pay £4.99, you get two years of discounts at multiple places.

https://teachers.bluelightcard.co.uk

Because teachers love a bargain there's currently over an hour waiting time to sign up, but it was only announced yesterday so will hopefully calm down soon.

It feels nice to be recognised as essential community workers!

Blue Light Card Teachers Discounts

If you're a teacher you can get access to the discounts you deserve, and access to exclusive experiences and rewards.

https://teachers.bluelightcard.co.uk

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
SirChenjins · 09/08/2024 21:43

MistressIggi · 09/08/2024 21:12

The 40 days is correct but that's inclusive of public holidays. The other 25 are unpaid and called "school closure" days.

Show quote history

Ahh, ok - so 32 days a/l and the standard 8 (or 9) p/h?

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 21:46

Did people bitch so much when civil servants were added?

OP posts:
GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 21:49

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 21:41

Including teachers simply dilutes the meaning of the scheme and the recognition it provides. Try as hard as you like but teachers aren’t emergency workers.

So if it’s not for emergency service workers, what is the scheme exactly and what are the actual qualifying criteria?

Key workers? Great - let’s use the definition from Covid. Oh wait, many of those are in strategically important jobs so may have a higher salary than you think should be entitled to this card. Ok - so can we redefine that with a salary cap at, say, average wage. Ah - problem. That would exclude most teachers and fair few doctors.

Some kind of community service definition to thank people for their work? Hmm, good point raised earlier, what about the charity workers and don’t forget the thousands of volunteers who underpin so much of the provision people need around public services including health and education? They don’t qualify, why not?

All public sector and charity staff and volunteers? We’re looking at well over 20% of the workforce if we do that and then add all the volunteers too. Cut that by capping salary? Ah yes, down to the problem of teachers generally having good salaries AND PENSIONS again.

So what is the card for? How would you define it and who is therefore in and who is out?

The website wording is pretty pathetic actually:

“We exist to show our appreciation for the Blue Light community, your service and sacrifice. Giving you the discounts you deserve, and access to exclusive experiences and rewards. Teachers just like other key workers support our communities. You dedicate so much time in shaping future generations, you leave a lasting legacy on a child's life; that impact deserves recognition.”

Key Worker - could be virtually anyone, including bankers and businesspeople.

Support our communities - as pointed out earlier this applies to dozens of professions, and not just those in the public sector.

Shaping future generations - why single our kids? What about the people who look after our ageing population (including informal / family carers and those looking after people with disabilities)? Or are they not as worthy as it’s not as politically expedient to single them out for what they do.

The more I think about it the more of a joke it makes of the scheme.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
BananaSpanner · 09/08/2024 21:50

noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 21:46

Did people bitch so much when civil servants were added?

Probably.

Merro · 09/08/2024 21:53

I've had a blue light card a year and not found it much use.

SD1978 · 09/08/2024 21:54

@Twonewcats , for the company to make more money probably

Motnight · 09/08/2024 21:57

I love my Blue Light card! I save hundreds of pounds a year with it. Great to hear that teachers are also able to benefit from it now 😀

Namechangencncnc · 09/08/2024 21:58

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 21:41

Including teachers simply dilutes the meaning of the scheme and the recognition it provides. Try as hard as you like but teachers aren’t emergency workers.

So if it’s not for emergency service workers, what is the scheme exactly and what are the actual qualifying criteria?

Key workers? Great - let’s use the definition from Covid. Oh wait, many of those are in strategically important jobs so may have a higher salary than you think should be entitled to this card. Ok - so can we redefine that with a salary cap at, say, average wage. Ah - problem. That would exclude most teachers and fair few doctors.

Some kind of community service definition to thank people for their work? Hmm, good point raised earlier, what about the charity workers and don’t forget the thousands of volunteers who underpin so much of the provision people need around public services including health and education? They don’t qualify, why not?

All public sector and charity staff and volunteers? We’re looking at well over 20% of the workforce if we do that and then add all the volunteers too. Cut that by capping salary? Ah yes, down to the problem of teachers generally having good salaries AND PENSIONS again.

So what is the card for? How would you define it and who is therefore in and who is out?

Why does this matter though? It is a discount card, it's not part of your working pay and conditions. It isn't your personal discount. Shock, discount opens up to extra people.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 21:59

Soreearr · 09/08/2024 20:06

Can MSA get it too? I mean lunchtime supervision?

I don't know about blue light but you are eligible for https://www.discountsforteachers.co.uk
Which is similar. Same for uni staff I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 21:59

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 21:49

The website wording is pretty pathetic actually:

“We exist to show our appreciation for the Blue Light community, your service and sacrifice. Giving you the discounts you deserve, and access to exclusive experiences and rewards. Teachers just like other key workers support our communities. You dedicate so much time in shaping future generations, you leave a lasting legacy on a child's life; that impact deserves recognition.”

Key Worker - could be virtually anyone, including bankers and businesspeople.

Support our communities - as pointed out earlier this applies to dozens of professions, and not just those in the public sector.

Shaping future generations - why single our kids? What about the people who look after our ageing population (including informal / family carers and those looking after people with disabilities)? Or are they not as worthy as it’s not as politically expedient to single them out for what they do.

The more I think about it the more of a joke it makes of the scheme.

Show quote history

Cry harder?

OP posts:
MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 09/08/2024 21:59

I wondered why I couldn't get into the app!

Motnight · 09/08/2024 22:00

coffeeandteav · 09/08/2024 20:16

Are the discounts even worth it?

A quick google and can't see anything that looks good.

I've used mine for Jo Malone, Bill's, Oliver Bonas, Pizza Express and Monica Vinader in the past year. Plus other places I am sure.

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 22:02

Namechangencncnc · 09/08/2024 21:58

Why does this matter though? It is a discount card, it's not part of your working pay and conditions. It isn't your personal discount. Shock, discount opens up to extra people.

Show quote history

Why should teachers be included then?

MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira · 09/08/2024 22:02

Cheap cinema tickets are always popular here and DH loves Nandos 20% off, discounted Costco membership is my favourite, don't use it a huge amount tbh but worth the 4.99 for two years. During COVID the discounts were incredible.

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 22:03

noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 21:59

Cry harder?

Show quote history

Standard teacher response when you can’t actually justify something.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 22:05

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 22:03

Standard teacher response when you can’t actually justify something.

Show quote history

But I don't need to justify anything. The Blue Light people decided to include us, they think we do an important job.

You might not, but your opinion doesn't seem to count here.

OP posts:
Juyjuly32 · 09/08/2024 22:08

JD have 20% at times. Definitely worth it! Loads of shops.

Namechangencncnc · 09/08/2024 22:09

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 22:02

Why should teachers be included then?

Show quote history

Because the company decided they should and it's their discount card ?

narwhalsarereal · 09/08/2024 22:10

GeneralReflection · 09/08/2024 21:41

Including teachers simply dilutes the meaning of the scheme and the recognition it provides. Try as hard as you like but teachers aren’t emergency workers.

So if it’s not for emergency service workers, what is the scheme exactly and what are the actual qualifying criteria?

Key workers? Great - let’s use the definition from Covid. Oh wait, many of those are in strategically important jobs so may have a higher salary than you think should be entitled to this card. Ok - so can we redefine that with a salary cap at, say, average wage. Ah - problem. That would exclude most teachers and fair few doctors.

Some kind of community service definition to thank people for their work? Hmm, good point raised earlier, what about the charity workers and don’t forget the thousands of volunteers who underpin so much of the provision people need around public services including health and education? They don’t qualify, why not?

All public sector and charity staff and volunteers? We’re looking at well over 20% of the workforce if we do that and then add all the volunteers too. Cut that by capping salary? Ah yes, down to the problem of teachers generally having good salaries AND PENSIONS again.

So what is the card for? How would you define it and who is therefore in and who is out?

But dentists and opticians are not emergency workers either....they qualify.

MistressIggi · 09/08/2024 22:15

SirChenjins · 09/08/2024 21:43

Ahh, ok - so 32 days a/l and the standard 8 (or 9) p/h?

Edited
Show quote history

I honestly don't know - sometimes a public holiday falls within a school holiday so we don't really notice it as a separate thing (eg NYD).

NeverDropYourMooncup · 09/08/2024 22:15

It's not a reward system for being a Simply Marvellous Human Being.

It's a sales referral system with an USP of pretending to be all fluffy and nice, nothing more, nothing less.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 09/08/2024 22:19

NeverDropYourMooncup · 09/08/2024 22:15

It's not a reward system for being a Simply Marvellous Human Being.

It's a sales referral system with an USP of pretending to be all fluffy and nice, nothing more, nothing less.

It just happens to be that Simply Marvellous Human Being is the eligibility criteria Wink

OP posts:
QVC · 09/08/2024 22:25

Hot dang. I can now finally get 4% off a Beko fridge freezer in Currys.

UmmmBop · 09/08/2024 22:28

The more I think about it the more of a joke it makes of the scheme.

Is it a scheme? It's just a business. A private limited company.

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06581540

Longma · 09/08/2024 22:39

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.