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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

That parents who take their kids to festivals....

120 replies

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 16:59

In term time, would soon complain if their child's teacher took 5+ days out of school to go and listen to music?

OP posts:

peteypiranha · 19/06/2013 17:01

I cant say I would particularly care if all the school teachers closed up and went to glastonbury. Fair play to them.

StuntGirl · 19/06/2013 17:03

I agree with you teacher. Maybe you should organise one as a school trip next year. After all, it's v. educational.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:06

We live near one and the number of students who miss the whole of Friday is shocking. Worse, when I've asked them to name songs by the artists on the main stage they can't. I hate to sound all 'in my day' but I wasn't allowed to go to festivals until I was 16, and would never have been allowed to miss school for one.
Annoys me now as my students can see my mate's band play - but I can't.

OP posts:

gordyslovesheep · 19/06/2013 17:10

erm no not really - I am from a family of teachers, wouldn't bother me at all - try harder

Sirzy · 19/06/2013 17:12

It's no different to taking them out on any other holiday really. Not something I would do but some parents are happy to have term time holidays.

Wallison · 19/06/2013 17:12

We used to all bunk off to go to the Radio 1 roadshow when I was at school. Can't see the harm in kids missing a couple of days to have some quality family time with their parents.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:13

Well, the parents where I teach would certainly complain if a teacher took time off for a holiday.

OP posts:

StuntGirl · 19/06/2013 17:15

Well in fairness I don't always know much by headliners, don't always even watch them, but go for some of the smaller bands. I do however agree that it is essentially just a holiday and education comes first.

I mean, I didn't go to any 3 years ago because my holiday request was denied. Imagine if I'd just gone anyway, my boss would've loved that.

morticia74 · 19/06/2013 17:16

No you are not BU. It's not educational for children to be exposed to a load of drunken people, most of whom are stoned out of their skulls (and as I went to Glastonbury every year in my 20's don't tell me I'm wrong). Children have a long summer holiday starting in a few weeks time. If parents are so desperate for them to experience weaving (who would?) then that is the right time to do it. They can miss a lot in 3 days.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:17

Exactly. There are plenty of festivals in the school holidays - go then.
I actually don't think any under-18 tickets should be allowed during school time.
Most schools are still doing lots of important work at the moment.

OP posts:

gordyslovesheep · 19/06/2013 17:18

not at 8 - 3 weeks before the end of term - they really wont miss much in 3 days!

StuntGirl · 19/06/2013 17:19

It's the justification that gets me. 'Oh it's educational/a valuable experience/quality family time" No it isn't you daft mare Stop dressing it up and just be upfront that you're willing to prioritise a music festival/holiday/trip to the cinema/whatever ahead of school.

halcyondays · 19/06/2013 17:20

It's not up to ticket sellers to police children's education. Some will have left school at 16 anyway.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:20

I'm actually not referring to that thread. More to secondary school parents - there are still 4 1/2 weeks round here - with lots being done in all year groups.

OP posts:

gordyslovesheep · 19/06/2013 17:21

oh this isn't and actual AIBU then ...just a thread about a thread to invite fairly personal criticism of another poster ...right ho

CloudsAndTrees · 19/06/2013 17:22

If this is about the other thread, it's very distasteful.

I don't think parents should take their children out of school to go to festivals either, but as may parents would agree with that, then obviously you'd piss those parents off if you did it as a teacher.

Panzee · 19/06/2013 17:22

I remember hearing a story on the radio of a boy who threw a sickie to go to Glastonbury. When he got there he saw his Geography teacher freaky dancing in the rave tent.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:23

@halcyon soon that won't be the case though.
You do have a point. My (vested interest) preferred option would be no 3 day + festivals in term time.
But, all of those who are happy to take children out of school for festivals (or indeed holidays) would you be happy for your DCs teachers to take time off in term time for the same reason?

OP posts:

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:24

I have not mentioned any other poster in that way. Sorry if people think that.

OP posts:

sandwichyear · 19/06/2013 17:29

OP- it's a slightly different proposition though isn't it? A child taking time off school and a teacher. The child taking time off affects only him/ herself, whereas the teacher taking time off affects everyone.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:33

True. Did once have a student come to see me to demand I rearranged a play (at a week's notice) as he'd forgotten he was going to Glastonbury (I had several problems with that situation as you can imagine). It's more the idea that some people seem to forget that teachers might like to do these things or go on a not ridiculously expensive holiday as well. And one year almost half a year group went off to the local one - which did effect more than just those individuals.
Maybe a better question would be - Should festivals be in the 'proper' summer.
Always thought a festival in the middle of Wimbledom fortnight was just asking for rain!

OP posts:

morticia74 · 19/06/2013 17:33

No, that's not true. If that child then falls behind it affects them, the school (and yes, schools do have the consider OfSTED), other children in the class and the parents of those other children - the ones who follow the rules. What message is this giving children for when they grow up? Where I work there are certain times of year when you cannot take leave. If I then decided to take leave anyway, then I would be sacked.

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:34

*Wimbledon obviously, silly thumbs!

OP posts:

Original poster

englishteacher78 · 19/06/2013 17:36

*affect - obviously! My only excuse there is I'm in a lot of pain - which may be why I'm grumpy today.

OP posts:

fedupofnamechanging · 19/06/2013 17:42

YABU - you are paid to do a job and you knew that you would be unable to take time off in term time, when you chose that particular career. If taking time off when you would actually chose to is so important then you picked the wrong job.

Kids and parents don't really get any say in whether the children attend school - it might be that this is the time the parents can get off work or it might be that they genuinely believe the experience is worth missing a day or two of school. That is a parents decision to make, so long as they are not expecting you to run around doing extra stuff to accommodate them. if they are, then you are well within your rights to say no.

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