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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that a headteacher shouldn't go on holiday during term time

283 replies

iwenttohollywoodtoo · 04/06/2013 18:49

I found out today that the headteacher at DD's school is on holiday abroad and won't be in school until tomorrow.

Technically she has only missed two days so AIBU to think this is out of order, especially given that the school has a policy of not authorising holidays for pupils.

Like many other parents would do, I booked a flight a day earlier when we went away at Xmas (at significant extra £), to make sure DD didn't miss school Hmm.

I am Shock to be honest. AIBU?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 04/06/2013 18:51

Fine her.

Goodwordguide · 04/06/2013 18:52

Yes, i would be shocked - enough to think there must be something else going on. Do you know for sure it was a holiday? Could it have been a family emergency etc?

CloudsAndTrees · 04/06/2013 18:53

YANBU if its just a holiday, but I wouldn't be too sure that it is just a holiday. Unless of course you are absolutely certain.

There may be some kind of personal reason that the teacher understandably doesn't want parents of her pupils to know about.

AuntieStella · 04/06/2013 18:55

Are you sure?

There was nasty gossip about a teacher sloping off abroad in term time from our school. The HT needed to put out a notice saying the teacher was indeed abroad, having been called home urgently to see his father who died shortly after his arrival there. But of course not everyone will want their personal/compassionate issues broadcast.

toobreathless · 04/06/2013 18:55

Depends...as a regular thing YANBU.

But there might be more to this than meets the eye, once in a lifetime family occasion such as wedding. She might be doing something else like visiting very unwell relatives. School might be trying to be sensitive & not tell you the whole story.

LindyHemming · 04/06/2013 18:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
iwenttohollywoodtoo · 04/06/2013 18:56

I have it on very good authority that it is definately a holiday!

OP posts:
DeepRedBetty · 04/06/2013 18:56

one of the teachers at dtds primary booked her holiday many months in advance when it was cheap, and got caught out by the LEA deciding to just give up on the early Easter that year and not build the holiday around it, the first time for twenty years that Good Friday and Easter Monday hadn't been the middle weekend of that holiday.

Although I can't see how a teacher could have not realised about this one.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 04/06/2013 18:56

I seriously doubt this is an run-of-the-mill holiday.

Sounds more like ill-infored gossip to me

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 04/06/2013 18:57

a , not an

DeepRedBetty · 04/06/2013 18:57

Also, my brother in law (a deputy head) was on holiday at the beginning of last academic year. Because his dad had just died.

GoblinGranny · 04/06/2013 18:57

Her husband has terminal cancer and they are enjoying what time they have left.
There was a fantastic job offer and she's got an interview.
She's on the verge of a breakdown and is grabbing at straws.
She got a cheap deal and took advantage of it.
Her beloved brother is getting married abroad and she wanted to be there.
She thinks that the rules don't apply to teachers.
Pick one, or think of one for yourself.

karatekimmi · 04/06/2013 18:57

Some schools do offer holiday days in school time, fortune given up in the school holidays and weekends to run revision clubs. It could be something like that maybe?

GoblinGranny · 04/06/2013 19:00

'I have it on very good authority that it is definately definitely a holiday!'

Do you really? Well, I'm not surprised that you are shocked.
Put in a written demand for an answer to the governors.

WorraLiberty · 04/06/2013 19:03

Perhaps it's a holiday but the HT is unable to travel back before tomorrow

There could be many reasons for that...like a trip to hospital for her or her family whilst out there.

McNewPants2013 · 04/06/2013 19:08

I hope she has had a good time.

If ds teacher went on holiday in term time I wouldn't care as long as his educational needs was met.

Taking children out in term time is very different and a whole new thread

LindyHemming · 04/06/2013 19:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cornypedicure · 04/06/2013 19:11

there must be a reason for her still being away

Wellthen · 04/06/2013 19:14

By good authority I assume you mean you spoke to the Head themselves? Or the chair of govenors? Anyone else I would assume is joking/lying/being bitchy

susiedaisy · 04/06/2013 19:14

YANBU if it is simply a holiday, the HT should set the example if they want us to not have holidays in term time, however if it is anything different such as a family issue then Yabu

LindyHemming · 04/06/2013 19:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

complexnumber · 04/06/2013 19:19

I could be wrong here, but aren't HT's allowed to take term time hols given that they will be in administrating for most of the school's hols.

I don't think teacher hols apply to SMT.

Wellthen · 04/06/2013 19:27

No, you're right complex they don't - management contracts are different and some only specificy the required holidays (is it 4 weeks?). But I agree with Euphemia that its rare. Most Heads etc get their school holidays but can, and often are, required to work for a few days.

Original poster
iwenttohollywoodtoo · 04/06/2013 19:30

Anybody got any links to any rules/guidance as to whether this is allowed/not?

OP posts:
Salmotrutta · 04/06/2013 19:32

Under certain circumstances teachers can take a few personal days.

Like a special family event or unavoidable thing like moving house.

But it's only 3-4 days or thereabouts and I think they have to make up time (?)