Finishing school early for snow - central London

[toomanywheeliebins]

We live in Zone 2. Most children live within a 500 m radius of the school. It's cold but we have no more than a dusting. All transport running and roads and pavements fine (and I have mobility issues). School closed early today because of snow because of others schools closing and so teachers needing to get their children. Not all the teachers are parents by any stretch ( would say about 25%) and even so surely they could just rejig classes a bit. At the first sight of snow (a 5 minute flurry) on Tuesday the paid for after school club (childcare) tried to cancel. Seriously?! What about parents who are working and suddenly need to drop everything at two hours notice to get children

They leave work early and take their laptop!

Should say this is primary and school very strict on unauthorised absence, lateness etc which I get but think they have rather undermined their argument here

Not if they are doctors/ nurses and other type of roles

Are you in Fulham, by chance?

I just saw lots of delighted kiddos traipsing home from school.

They leave work early and take their laptop!

Love how it's always assumed everyone can work from home.

Ours too. I guess the teachers need to get off home too and the employer needs to consider the staff.

Some of the teachers may live further away in areas that have been more affected and need to leave.

I was saying what I do - I do know that not everyone can do it.

Not in Fulham! I get some staff need to get home but this school has 700 pupils. I know for a fact a lot of staff live within a 250 m of school. You don't need to close early because of a few staff

They have an obligation to their staff. They can't refuse staff who need to collect their kids. Once ratios are an issue they have no choice. Authorised/unauthorised absences are irrelevant, this is an employer/employee problem.

The school legally has to have enough staff to supervise the children. If 25% of their staff have to leave early, that probably means they’re under ratio so have to close.

A lot of our kids are borders and afternoon lessons were cancelled.

I'm in SW London with a fair amount of snow and I'm a bit annoyed the school hasn't closed tbh. See, they can't win!

Not that many teachers can afford to live in Zone 2. They may have a very long commute home. We are in Zone 3 and DS's school was closed today too. Meh it's not the end of the world.

I know less than 25% of the teachers have primary age children. And I accept that teachers might live further out but not all of them and they might also use the train which is working .. delays maybe but working.
I think it depends on how easy it is to get out of work as to how bigger a deal it is. A lot of these children will be going home to cold flats

I don’t know about the specifics of your situation but I work in central London and the snow here has certainly been more than a ‘dusting’.

It’s freezing, slushy, slippery and horrible out there.

it is because
a. it is hard for teachers who probably live on the outskirts of London to get to/from work, and

b. if little Charlie falls over and cracks his head/breaks her leg in the playground, then the school could be held liable.

I know it is annoying, once the children's school foned me in the middle of a job interview telling me to come get them. Zone 3. No I didn't get the job. Shoulda switched off my fone.

Dull sorry to hear that story!

oh it was soooo annoying!
It was a big brother style group interview, with tasks given. When you failed a task you had to leave the room/interview over. I was the last person in the room when my fone rang!

Fekko

It isn't nice out but I have serious mobility issues and still managed to take children to school.
Also this is the weather for months across Europe and the schools do not shut

If It's a ratio issue I wonder why the school can't ask parents who can to collect so school can stay open for those who can't.

This used to happen when my dc were at school. The head used to scarper first because she lived furthest away. Her choice. Senior manager on senior pay. She ahoukd have been a responsible leader and booked into an hotel on those occasions. Many many staff lived locally. Many many parents were able to go to work when teachers couldn't. It did nothing to support parents to instil a good work ethic and set good examples vis a vis making an effort to attend school or work.

I’m from Scotland and never had a single snow day in all the years as a schoolchild - only the odd day when the boilers packed in!

I once trudged DS through the (London) snow to school only to find it all closed up because the teachers couldn’t get in. The tube is usually up the spout though so maybe that’s why the schools are closing. I do find people down here do get a bit worried when the weather is bad.

I know for a fact a lot of staff live within a 250 m of school.

I know less than 25% of the teachers have primary age children.

You know an awful lot about the teachers at this school.

Also this is the weather for months across Europe and the schools do not shut

When it happens "for months" it is worth investing in the equipment needed to travel eg snow ploughs, snow chains etc. When it happens once in a blue moon it isn't.

Dull it’s possible you didn’t get the job because you’re incapable of spelling the word ‘phone’.