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

[iwenttohollywoodtoo]

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 .

I am to be honest. AIBU?

I think it's very noble to be wringing your hands at the disrespect this HT is showing the staff.

Hopefully you're right that its all in the name of sun and sex.

If it really is a holiday, rather than time taken off as holiday due to unavoidable circumstances, then yadnbu.

My advice OP would be to 'bank' this one and store it away for future reference in case you ever have a special circumstance where a request for time off outside of school holidays would be in order.

But you don;t know for sure that the HT is off on a jolly.

You also don't know if the HT has specific reasons for being away at this time.

if it was for leisure purposes rather than for family emergency, then write to the head if education to complain. its not fair that parents are fined if they break the rules but she openly disregards them.

head of education of your local education authority.

My advice OP would be to 'bank' this one and store it away for future reference in case you ever have a special circumstance where a request for time off outside of school holidays would be in order.

Yeah cos it wouldnt be akward at all to have the poor Head reply 'I was not on holiday my father/partner/daughter died...I had an operation on my anus...I was in court as a witness"

or perhaps even better have them point out as people on this thread have that they are not subject to school holidays in the way children are.

That is the most pathetic and vindictive thing I've heard in a while and makes me even more certain I don't want to be a Head.

if it was for leisure purposes rather than for family emergency, then write to the head if education to complain. its not fair that parents are fined if they break the rules but she openly disregards them.

She.isn't.subject.to.those.rules.

God circular threads like this make me so angry.

Unpaid leave of abs? Long distance family wedding? It's two days not two months.

Its non of your business OP

it is not comparable with pupils taking time off. Those rules are for the benefit of your children.

If you're so sure it's "just a holiday" then complain to the LEA or the governors, instead of just moaning and gossiping.

A two day jolly?

Not all that jolly

the absence will have already have been authorised by LEA/govenors

The OP is not entitled to any justification for HT absence, if it has been met with approval. The reason, is non of her business

Holly

The fact that your HT teaches doesn't say anything other than your HT teaches.

OP - does your HT teach?

I would imagine that for some reason the HT has had to come into school for a few days in the holidays at some point. Either for a meeting, to oversee builders, some sort of school emergency, interviews, whatever.

If that's happened then technically they're owed time back. After all if I got called into work during annual leave work would have to give me that time back. So he may well be owed this time.

the absence will have already have been authorised by LEA/govenors

Yes, quite. That's why the OP should either speak to them, or stop the gossip.

OP

You speak about concern for the staff - does the HT not work hard too?

Has a staff member been moaning to parents? (unprofessional)

This is bonkers. But I am heartened by this thread. Thank heavens for all those reasonable souls that think of teachers as people. We have families too and we have rights to privacy. As this HT does. Everything else is supposition and speculation. Unless the HT told you him/herself OP you do not know their reason for not being AT WORK (not school) for defINITE and are gossiping. And thanks for all those posters recognising that teachers and students are in very different roles. One is AT WORK; t'other is being educated.

A xouple of years ago DS1's HT had two extra weeks during term time with her son who lived in NZ.

Cheeky bitch taking advantage of that ash cloud.

cat.

Clearly she should have walked back.

Wow...just wow at the OP.

I am a teacher, and last year when I had a breakdown there were a multitude of rumours going round regarding my whereabouts. Of course the staff knew, but parents and pupils came up with the following:

1. I had hit a pupil and been sacked( ridiculous as I've never even raised my voice in a classroom)
2. I'd been having an affair with HT (boak)
3. I had died. Yes DIED

The last one is funny now (especially when I returned and the pupils looked as though they'd seen a ghost!) but the other two could have been extremely damaging to my reputation and flawless teaching record. I put my students and their parents straight upon my return.

My point is, keep your nose out of it before you could potentially damage someone's career.

The head teacher's education has presumably not been affected by taking 2 days holiday in term time.....

Feeling

So true. Parents (I am one) spout such drivel. Really nothing better to think about, some of them

seeker

Op hasn't answered the question about whether her school never ever allows pupil absences