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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to post a friendly reminder about school residential trips?

416 replies

ErmNoNoNo · 27/03/2015 23:09

Seems as good a time as any: lots of school posts (as always in AIBU), the wine is flowing (Friday) and the summer term is coming up (come on weather please)...

It seems every year that there are many parents that are genuinely shocked to find out that teacher and TAs who accompany the class on residential school visits do not get paid a single penny more than their normal wage.

Yes, we volunteer. Yes, we deal with all the tears. Yes, we are on duty 24 hours and sometimes get VERY little sleep. Yes, we deal with the vomit. Yes, we encourage and make sure they get the absolute best out of their time there. Yes, we deal with all medical issues even though, surprisingly we are not qualified. Yes, when its mid-week, we also have to go back into work the next day.

Yes... we would really, really appreciate it if you just say 'thank you', when you pick your child up at he end of it.

(all you REASONABLE parents, I know you do - but honestly, the amount of parents who think we get paid for this would shock you)

OP posts:
Andrewofgg · 28/03/2015 17:36

Sorry ilovesooty and you are right!

Justusemyname · 28/03/2015 17:38

Even if you got paid parents should still say thank you!

My dd went a school trip last year and I totally got the responsibility the teachers had taken on. This year DS will not be going and he didn't go last year either.

SilverBirch2015 · 28/03/2015 17:40

Other vilified professions:

Estate Agents. Bankers, Politicians, Legal Profession, Medical Profession, Charity Workers (for daring to take a salary), Social Workers, HR, and so on.

I know quite a few nurses and doctors, who may sometimes moan about a specific patient and their family but they just don't whinge about all patients in the same way teachers do about parents in particular.

No doubt it is challenging role and the relationship between a child's home life and their role can be fraught at times, but a number of teachers do need to examine their long established and entrenched view of their attitudes to us civilians working lives.

SeeChooJimmy · 28/03/2015 17:41

My dds came home from a weeks residential trip yesterday, and the staff that accompanied them done a wonderful job, they looked shattered and run down, no wonder! I honestly can't thank them enough for the support and encouragement they gave my 2 dds in the last week to get the most out of all the activities and opertunities they had.

Philoslothy · 28/03/2015 17:48

Today 17:3200100001

Philoslothy taking 7 year olds away is a different ball game to 14 year olds.

Exactly why I chose not to work in a primary school, sounds too much like hard work

Missdread · 28/03/2015 17:52

Another huge thank-you here to the teachers but also for the Beaver/Brownie/Scout etc leaders who are fabulous, give SO much of their own free time including the camping trips etc all for nothing. I think you're all wonderful too!

Mehitabel6 · 28/03/2015 17:55

I expect that bus drivers, waiters, air stewards etc are not on here moaning because they are not working outside their shift for free. Neither are they up all night with a child being sick and then having to do a normal class programme the next day.

SilverBirch2015 · 28/03/2015 17:55

And Accountants.

I know someone who is in an education and is working on developing a programme for new teachers. Developing learning tools for student teachers on professional standards and ethics. After a lifetime in teaching she was very unaware that unlike teachers most professionals are required to complete training and adhere to an agreed set of ethics and professional standards in order to continue to be employed in that field.

Mehitabel6 · 28/03/2015 17:59

I would like to thank anyone who takes children away and can fully understand why it is upsetting not to have a thank you. I think it very sad that people don't do this -and even sadder that they come on here and argue the point.

noblegiraffe · 28/03/2015 18:02

Accountants? Have I completely missed a load of accountant-bashing threads? Confused

As for teachers not having to maintain professional standards or ethics wtaf? Like we're just allowed to swear at the kids or shag them or a myriad of other things that spring to mind.

00100001 · 28/03/2015 18:06

Exactly why I chose not to work in a primary school, sounds too much like hard work

Indeed it is. So people should say thank you!

CalleighDoodle · 28/03/2015 18:15

I dont do residentials anymore. The ones I did were always friday morning until sunday evening. Have no desire to soend my weekends with teenagers going wild.

CalleighDoodle · 28/03/2015 18:22

silverbirch your ex teacher friend has misled you. Teachers have onhoing training. Every year teachers have to demonstrate what training and actions they have done for their profesdional development in the padt twelve months. The amount of evidence required is huge.

ilovesooty · 28/03/2015 18:50

Well I used to be a teacher and now work for a charity so I'm screwed. Grin
Oh and I'm a self employed counsellor. A fair bit of counsellor bashing lately too.

FloatIsRechargedNow · 28/03/2015 19:02

Haven't read the thread at all - have tried to ignore it for ages but it's there and very unhelpfully can I add:

Really, a "friendly reminder" to remind us that - what exactly? Adults on school trips might not get paid? Is that it? Wow - as usual peeps in educarfation imagine that they are the only ones that 'Give A Little Bit' of 'Their Lives' to us. Seems they're just more prolific than others that feel a need to point out How.Much.They.Do For.So.Little.

Brandysnapper · 28/03/2015 19:23

Silverbirch you're just getting silly now.
Teachers are members of the GTC which imposes professional standards. Like all Scottish teachers in my contract I am committed to undertaking five days of inset training each year, and a further week's worth of training to be carried out evenings/weekends.

WayfaringStranger · 28/03/2015 19:23

OutragedfromLees "Are you incredibly rude?"

I don't know if you meant to be funny but you made me smile. My post was VERY short and I said "I would always say thank you". Hmm

WayfaringStranger · 28/03/2015 19:25

00100001 Done it as a volunteer for young adults with learning disabilities. The burden of the responsibility is enormous. I was always grateful when people thanked me and pretty much everyone did say thank you. I didn't expect it or post on MN about the people who didn't.

ChristyMooreRocks · 28/03/2015 19:27

I know someone who is in an education and is working on developing a programme for new teachers. Developing learning tools for student teachers on professional standards and ethics. After a lifetime in teaching she was very unaware that unlike teachers most professionals are required to complete training and adhere to an agreed set of ethics and professional standards in order to continue to be employed in that field.

Confused
grannytomine · 28/03/2015 19:33

Worra I think your school should think carefully about basing pay progression on a teacher going on trips. Discrimination can cost an awful lot. I can see the tribunal now with the carefree getting progression and the young single parent or the one with a sick partner/parent or whatever complaining. A dangerous road to travel.

IceniMist · 28/03/2015 19:34

It is annoying. I am on call every 6 weeks for 24 hours, 7 days. No on call or over time paid. Called at 0300 in the morning for something that could potentially impact people and their lives but no one knows about what we do or that we exist. Just get on with it because it is part of what I do.

CadmiumRed · 28/03/2015 20:07

My wholehearted thanks to every teacher, TA, scout leader and guide leader who has given my DC such fantastic opportunities.

I have run residentials with young people, and been on intense / gruelling business trips. One has down time, the opportunity for privacy, occasional hotel luxury and a good night's sleep, the other doesn't.

We aren't allowed to drink any alcohol when in loco parent is, either. Not at any time of night or day. No matter how long and busy and exasperating the day has been.

Does that sound like a free holiday?

silverglitterpisser · 28/03/2015 20:25

I hugely appreciate teachers doing this n would not wish to undertake it myself for a gold clock! It is a massive responsibility n must b really stressful/exhausting.

At pickup time of the most recent trip my dd went on, I gave all the teachers wine. Thought they would damn well need it n wanted to give a small gesture of thanks. It was odd though, parents were a bit Hmm n teachers grateful but also a bit Confused so think maybe I broke some etiquette thingy? Oops ....

IUseAnyName · 28/03/2015 20:39

I teach outdoor activities at residential education centres for primary and secondary schools. I am paid to do my job, the teachers say it mist be hard doing the physical activities we do every day. But I say their job is much mich harder as I can go home at 5!
The teachers are definately the ones keeping the residentials going x

cardibach · 28/03/2015 20:49

Philoslothy I have seen you post before about education. I have worked for 25 years in a variety of schools - urban, rural, state, private - and I don't recognise the job you describe. Either you are letting everyone else carry you or you are being somewhat economical with the truth about what you do