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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:
kim147 · 04/06/2013 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

echt · 04/06/2013 19:57

I took a week's unpaid leave to add on to half term to go to Australia. I was OK'd on the spot so guess governors were informed rather than asked.

Pimpf · 04/06/2013 19:57

Op get a grip

echt · 04/06/2013 20:00

Also school was kind to Kiwis and Aussies who wanted to nip off early to get cheaper flights home at Christmas. Quite right too.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 04/06/2013 20:01

OP you sounds a bit vindictive

There will be someone deputising for her. She's not the President

expatinscotland · 04/06/2013 20:02

YABU.

expatinscotland · 04/06/2013 20:05

My sister's a deputy head. She took a few days off during term time once when our family visited the country for the first time. So glad she did because my daughter her niece was then diagnosed with cancer and she never saw her alive again.

YABU and sound very spiteful and mean-spirited.

WorrySighWorrySigh · 04/06/2013 20:06

OP if this is holiday then YANBU but I suspect you will have to suck it up as HT will undoubtedly find some sort of self-justification to explain it away.

If there is good reason why the HT is away then there has been poor communication by the school. It is easy enough to say that someone is on leave without having to give loads of detail.

Whichever this wasnt a smart move by the school as anyone with half a thought knows that time off in term-time is a contentious issue and either needs to be avoided or communicated properly.

BTW criticising the OP's spelling is juvenile.

Original poster
iwenttohollywoodtoo · 04/06/2013 20:07

Wow, I can't believe that you all think it's acceptable. I'm still shocked, but apparently I am being unreasonable.

OP posts:
McNewPants2013 · 04/06/2013 20:13

Teacher do a lot for their pupils.

If teachers didn't work all this unpaid overtime I don't think they could do the fantastic job they do.

expatinscotland · 04/06/2013 20:14

Wow, I can't believe you put a HT on par with a pupil. The former is an employee, with certain rights, including holiday time and compassionate leave, the other is a pupil who has a legal compulsion to be educated.

I also can't believe you have so much time on your hands.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 04/06/2013 20:15

Because you simply do not know the whole story. Fact.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/06/2013 20:18

Well, there could be any number of reasons as to why he's on "holiday"

Many of us have stated on other threads that children be edit sometimes from being able to take holiday even in term time. Surely that goes for adults too. If two weeks now saves weeks of burn out later and a drop on standards which would u prefer?

Perhaps save declarations of unreasonableness for if /when your child is refused a term time holiday by this head teacher.

Without knowing full story it's not right to assume and judge.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 04/06/2013 20:18

Benefit

LindyHemming · 04/06/2013 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
iwenttohollywoodtoo · 04/06/2013 20:20

In what way do I have too much time on my hands? All I have done is have a conversation and start a thread on mn about it

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 04/06/2013 20:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EliotNess · 04/06/2013 20:21

nothing but teacher slagging again on mn today.

ShatnersBassoon · 04/06/2013 20:22

Who told you about the Head's jolly?

expatinscotland · 04/06/2013 20:22

You have time to gossip about someone's personal life, taking a measly 2 days off as an employee and then bitching about it on MN. And be shocked.

Get a hobby.

HollyBerryBush · 04/06/2013 20:23

I have to say, back in 2000, Sydney Olympics, sons Dep Heads DH was on the UK organising committee. It did go to a parental vote (fuck sakes) whether the Dep Head could take 3 weeks unpaid to accompany her DH on the experience of a life time.

Mind you that was private prep.

But I would point out T&C for teachers - they are employed 52 weeks a year, you might have a melt down that they have families, commitments and so forth and are not dedicating themselves 24/7 365 to your PFB.

I hate to disillusion you - most teachers are professional in school hours - once your PFB has passed through their hands, they couldn't give a super sized shiny shit mounted on a mahogany plinth about your child; they are just another body that has passed through their hands for statistical purposes, one of 150 a week, name forgotten as soon as the next intake come through.

SirChenjin · 04/06/2013 20:24

Surely if parents are supposed to abide by the rules and not take their children out of school, then teachers should abide by the same rules Hmm

If it's definitely a holiday and nothing else, then YANBU

LindyHemming · 04/06/2013 20:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 04/06/2013 20:24

OP does your school never authorise holiday for pupils? Never?

LaurieFairyCake · 04/06/2013 20:26

Yabu

She doesn't teach so doesn't need to be there every day in term time.

She'll be in during the school holidays working

She's not doing her Gcse's, she's an adult and can take her holidays when allowed according to her contract