Term time holidays/Striking teachers.

[vexedfoxy]

Am I being unreasonable when I become exercised when I hear parents are fined for taking their children out of school in term time for holidays (when perchance they cannot take time off work in school holidays) and then I hear teachers planning to go on strike...how does one beat the square of 'every day at school is vital no matter how young the child is' in to a circle when suddenly a teachers salary and conditions over ride this and parents have to take time off work to arrange child care cover. Discuss.

For example, police and prison officers aren't allowed to strike as they perform a vital public function. As do teachers IMO. They're denying kids their legal right to a specific number of days education.

Even if we do take about snow and school closures - the TEACHERS do not make that decision. It is the headteacher which makes the decision, and in some areas it is even the LEA who makes the decision.

Teachers and TAs are expected to make their way to work whenever they can. Even if the school is closed for children, sometimes staff are still expected to go. If teachers do not turn into work HTs and the LEA reserve the right to deduct a day's pay. This DOES happen.

vexed I suspect you don't 'work' at all - or if you do, you 'work' and think in the same clueless bubble as near does.

Of course teachers (or anyone else) does not get paid when on strike. Why would anyone pay someone for not doing their job. I would not pay a plumber who failed to turn up or a lawyer who was not there for an appointment.

mummymeister I know it is the HT's decision. It is not the teachers who make the decision - that is my point.

HT's follow guidelines set by the Government as to whether or not to grant authorised absences. However HTs do not send out the fines.

"I believe people should talk not walk"

OP do you know that this strike is because Gove will not agree to meet to talk?

*vexedfoxy Sat 22-Mar-14 21:30:46

BIWI...It would matter not what I did for a job I don't agree with strikes full stop. I believe people should talk not walk.*

Gove refuses to talk to us. What is your next suggestion?

Ffs its not the teachers who say you can't take term time holidays. The person who made that rule is the same one who's wrecking the education system and that's why teacher's are striking.

WSS

Not this winter I grant you Pipbin

My DC are older now but it was an issue when they were school age...
but
certainly last winter we had snowy conditions for a few days..Whilst driving to work local radio was reading out school closures..and parents were coming into work with DC to buy sledges..
I grant you it doesn't effect me directly but I'm always a bit bemused by it.

Add message | Report | Message poster vexedfoxy Sat 22-Mar-14 21:30:46
BIWI...It would matter not what I did for a job I don't agree with strikes full stop. I believe people should talk not walk.

You appear ignorant of the facts. Gove is refusing to meet unions who seek to resolve the dispute. Perhaps your complaint in that case, should be with him?

vexedfoxy
"It would matter not what I did for a job I don't agree with strikes full stop. I believe people should talk not walk."

The teachers and unions have wanted to talk about this from the very start, gove has refused to come to the table.

So...
What should happen when the management won't talk?

Hulababy really confused now. head teacher? isn't the clue in the name. they are a teacher too? you said no teachers. no need to put in bold. old, bit tired but not stupid.

how does one beat the square of 'every day at school is vital no matter how young the child is' in to a circle when suddenly a teacher's salary and conditions override this

Indeed. I wrestle with this a lot. I urge everyone to write to Gove and ask him how.

I believe people should talk not walk.

Again, I agree. In my letter I will also ask Gove why he won't talk.

What should happen when the management won't talk?

Yes, what should teachers do then?

But if you read the legislation (set by the Government) the headteacher have to follow that set wording - which very clearly states that authorised absence should only be granted in exceptional circumstances....and that is unlikely to be authorised for a family holiday.

I agree - it is very clear - very clear indeed that the HT must follow the wording of the legislation which is set by the Government.

X posts with many pointing out the OP's ignorance.

Still waiting for an answer on who we should talk to!!!

Pipbin well said. Would have said something similar, just not quite as articulate.

OP if it is the holiday stuff you're worried about - take it up with ABTA or the government, or whoever has the power and ability to define your first world life financially. Teachers have the power to impart knowledge, define morals and inspire - never have I met a teacher who takes striking lightly, but they do so because of their integrity to the role, not because of their lack of it.

So Vexed, if you find the place you have been working for has effectively been sold, your terms and conditions are suddenly inferior, your workload has gone up 20% to 60 hours a week amortised over the whole year, and you can't get another job locally because a bunch of crooked arseholes basically have stitched up the entire local area, wrecking the education of local children in some cases, you'd go and have a nice little chat, would you?

Good luck with that.

mummymeister, in most, if not all, secondary schools, the HT does not teach.

Mostly, the HTs will not be out on strike.

The OP's references to teachers in her OP plainly implied the classroom teacher.

I stand corrected then Euphemia

Actually, not many Head Teachers do teach.

& no HTs are striking. Their Union isn't.

I'm a striking mainscale teacher, & I have absolutely zero interest in fining you for your week skiing/in a static cravan in Filey.

As many PPs have explained, you no likey term time fines; they're down to the Government. we teachers no likey current appalling wrecking job being done on education; this is also down to the Government.

Could the OP be a troll?
This has got us all rather whipped up hasn't it?

Thank you MrTumblesCrackWhore, love the name btw.