To think school heads should be contactable in school holidays

[EloiseMinch]

A secondary head is likely to be on 70k+ and a primary head of 50k+. Those are high salaries for positions of senior management responsibility. AIBU to think they shouldn't just cut off completely in the school holidays?

Maybe some heads really are working in the holidays but I know the head at DC's school definitely doesn't. She is, for example, completely uncontactable from the end of one term to the start of the next.

Is it not possible to advertise for TAs outside of term time?

Please see my answer about funding streams.

However, what you're asking is for the head to do even more work and go about trying to recruit staff in her holidays! You are one CF, aren't you?

But you want to change that!

I'm not a head teacher happily, so I don't feel compelled to ask for your email address to enable me to needlessly interrupt your holiday in return. What on earth are you thinking of? What do u want?

Btw Eloise, if you want school holidays shortened (and uk school holidays are already amongst the shortest world wide) then I hope you are prepared to dig deep into your pocket to fund not just additional teachers salaries but the TAs, lunchtime assistants, caretakers, school bus drivers, lollipop crossing supervisors, cleaners and office staff who make up a school community.Not to mention wear and tear on fittings and furniture, additional consumable materials, energy bills etc etc etc

@EloiseMinch

If you resent teachers for their annual leave then go and get a degree, then teach your snotty nosed kids and put up with parents like you. Then you will understand why they are not contactable while they are on leave.

As a side note, she’s not contactable to you. Why on earth would she want to talk to you out of term? What could possibly be so important??

If the school has enough money in its main budget to employ a new TA, then they COULD place an advertisement BUT what would be the point? Who would screen the CVs? Who would interview the TAs? Why would a good TA be looking for work at this point (most TAs are already employed, and would need to give notice to their current school)?

the first is a bit daft I think, how rich is your PTA

I hope it's not daft. It depends how much more money they need to hire another TA of course.

What about office hours? 3 hours of emails per week over the summer (paid) and no other email replies.

Seriously, if you want to have this kind of discussion you need to be a governor.

And even then I think you'd be overstepping your remit.

If you resent teachers for their annual leave then go and get a degree,

As I have mentioned several times, I fully support the holidays of school teachers. I don't know why the distinction between school teachers and non-teaching highly paid heads is not clearer.

No. Governors are not allowed to use their positions to raise personal ishoooes

They have to act for the good of the school not use it to resolve personal grievances

@eloise I'm sure it's been said already but...

a) I guarantee that the head doesn't get 13 weeks holiday. There is so much work to be done for next year which will keep the head busy for much of that time.

b) just because she doesn't teach doesn't mean it isn't a incredibly stressful job.

c) there will be a reason why parents don't get a direct email address. Probably something to do with parents like you.

d) nothing you have mentioned would be able to be sorted before September anyway.

Essentially you sound jealous of her salary and the amount of annual leave you think she has.

As a previous poster said, about 30k (including all costs) for 1 FT TA - so the PTA would need to be able to guarantee that, continuously, year on year.

I actually can not believe I am reading this 😂 what a ridiculous thing to ask....YES you are being completely unreasonable here! Your child is your responsibility not the responsibility of the school or the headteacher. It is up to you as a parent to deal with matters accordingly and if for some reason issues are not resolved prior to term ending then simply be in touch first week back it’s really not the difficult.
As for how long they are paid for and how much actual holiday time they take is really non of your business. Ever thought that headteachers are also people, with families and children of their own to spend time with or is that just unacceptable that someone dare have a personal life outside of their work?
It appears you have a huge issue with how headteachers do things, if you think you could do a better job then my advice is homeschool your child

the first is a bit daft I think, how rich is your PTA

I hope it's not daft. It depends how much more money they need to hire another TA of course.

It IS daft. See my previous comment on funding streams (which was also echoed by another poster).

OP - are YOU involved in fundraising with the PTA? If not, why not?

Does your PTA raise this, every year? Can they guarantee to do so?

Seriously, if you want to have this kind of discussion you need to be a governor.

You may well be right. It seems sad if every parent whose child is suffering has to become a governor to be able to have a serious and detailed conversation about what if anything can be done.

Who the hell do you think you are?
The big bad boss and chair of the playground moms head teacher actipn group.

The school is going to shit but the OP will solve all with her highly reasonable personality and extensive knowledge of schools.

P.s. what does it take to go into MN classics?

YABU and fixated to a weird extent on exactly how much people earn and what hours they may or may not work.

About £18 000 per TA. Including on costs.

HEAD DOES NOT HAVE 13 WEEKS PAID HOLIDAY SHE HAS FOUR WEEKS.
HEAD DOES NOT HAVE 13 WEEKS PAID HOLIDAY SHE HAS FOUR WEEKS.
HEAD DOES NOT HAVE 13 WEEKS PAID HOLIDAY SHE HAS FOUR WEEKS.

Got it yet?

Oh and PTA funds are not allowed to be used for core staffing.

EloiseMinch

So - ARE you part of the PTA and involved in fundraising?

If you want a voice and support the strategic direction of the school join the Governing Body otherwise I suggest you get off your soapbox and leave the Head to run the school with the support of the SLT.
FYI - I’m a Head of an amazing school with great kids, fab parents and caring staff who all work incredibly hard and give 110% during term-time often staying late to lead clubs, workshops and support fundraising evenings without being paid overtime.
We’ve all been in school today despite it being the first day of the holidays preparing for September and on the website it quite clearly tells everyone how to contact us out of term-time. Not all schools are the same and isn’t that a good thing, given parents needs and expectations?
However, we are on holiday, we’re all tired and we’ve got kids and family of our own so forgive them for not putting you first.

As for how long they are paid for and how much actual holiday time they take is really non of your business.

It is my business at least as a tax payer. These are public sector jobs. And yes, I too work in the public sector.