To be annoyed about this

[lookingforwardtoautumn]

The schools website has said that term is from 3 September onwards. I’ve just found out there’s a training day on 31st August, and I’ve no child care ... Aibu to just say I can’t go?

I was frustrated a little putting my career on hold, but as I was in on every trip day, sports day, assembly, training day or twilight etc etc whether or not it was my working day ( as was my job share partner)

That reads very martyrish. It’s not unreasonable to decide not to do extra work that’s not required by your role. It’s hard enough trying to get everything done that absolutely is necessary in the time that’s available without adding in a whole load of extra stuff.

I’m really dedicated and work very hard. It’s fine for my TA to back my boards for me.

WoWsers16- if you have a serious accident, the employers insurance company will consult the non bible and deem contributory negligence has occurred. See how much compensation you will lose under these circumstances. I don't think you will enjoy that so much. These documents have legal consequences if they are breached and should be taken very seriously.

yes but you keep coming back to the STPCD and to be honest that is my choice- if I have an accident with a stapler I know it will be my fault not the schools (hate all these have an accident at work let's sue schemes).

I am for one glad in my school I have people who work in a careful, professional environment and understand that the real world may involve doing things at times! Not just carrying round a highlighted version if their rights.

This is not down to the STPCD- this is the fact that just because the OP has a child and hasn't got childcare sorted should she be bothered to go in? My answer- yes she should!

I was in on every trip day, sports day, assembly, training day or twilight etc etc whether or not it was my working day ( as was my job share partner)

That reads very martyrish.

Yes it does and part timers who do this in any job make it harder for those part timers who simply can't come in for extra things unpaid on their days off because they don't have the childcare.

But to address the actual OP...

I think yabu and the fact that you weren't told isn't good enough really it's reasonable to expect you find this out. I would be looking for some form of emergency childcare. I would get hold of the nursery first thing tomorrow as presumably your DC has had some settling in days and would be best off there.

Good luck for you return to work and wishing you all the best with childcare and juggling everything. It will be tough being a single working mum but am sure you will manage.

WoWsers16 - Rights are important as they prevent the arbitrary abuse of power. Not all people work in a heaven upon earth. The STRPD does at least provide some sort of shield against such abuse of power. Those rights were fought for by generations of teachers and many others. For example, the repeal of the Combination Acts in 1824. Rights mean you are not a surf.

Our school has a teacher day on 31st and 3rd. I thought it very unusual but then I'm not teaching staff and I don't work Mondays!

So I read the STPRD, and found in section 51.2 that whilst teachers have to work 190 days + 5 training days, those data can be stipulated by the employer/head teacher.

So. To answer my question, and boy do I wish I'd seen Purples reply earlier the HT can indeed tell staff their year starts before September.

So, now the question comes back to why the OP didn't find out when she was due back to work. Do you not have an HR person, line manager or contact with your HT op?

Purpledaisies when does your TA back your boards etc? Where I am the TAs have to be pupil-facing in lesson times, have lunch/playtime duties and leave at 4.

STRPD obviously.

I just checked, DC school had teacher training 30 and 31st. First day for kids is 3rd.

Don't schools usually do safeguarding training before the kids go back? I'd say that's more important than who backs the notice boards in those days.

rock straight after school. It’s often easier as a two person job though so we sometimes blitz it together.

I know nothing about how teaching works but I'm astounded that you haven't had any kind of back to work interview. Ok you may not think you need to go into school to plan your classes but how you don't think your return to work needs any planning I don't know.

I would expect a return to work interview to he scheduled by your line manager but I wouldn't be happy going back after mat leave without at least a quick chat and catch up. Were you honestly just expecting to waltz back into the staff room after a year off.

My eldest starts year 7 next week. I hope you're not one of her teachers. I've known for months when the onset days are and fail to see how you could be completely unaware of the dates. I'm also baffled as to why you didn't clarify everything before the summer holidays so that you were in no doubt as to when your first day in school would be. Your attitude is appalling but you don't seem to care.

I am finding it difficult to imagine a secondary school teacher just turning up on the first day of term ready to work after maternity leave - do you know in advance what year groups you have for lessons on the first day? That to me sounds like winging it

Agree with PP you probably should make an effort to go in on the 31st. I hope it goes well for you.

This thread has made my day. 😂😂

@lazypuppy I didn’t do any KIT days with mat leave when I had my second child. I couldn’t be bothered.

OP, if you have access to the school email, don't you also have access to the school calendar (i.e. the one for teachers)?
With respect, you should have made it your job to know when you were expected back and work around it - and I'm saying that as someone who has been a teacher for a long time, with children.
You're going to need to find some emergency childcare so you can go to work. I hope you're able to do so.

drfoxtrot
do you know in advance what year groups you have for lessons on the first day?

Yes of course and the OP should have access to all resources, classlists etc from home on her school laptop. The OP isn't saying she does no work before term starts she is saying she doesn't go in. The displays thing is ridiculous as in many secondaries these are completed in term time: either in summer term before holidays or autumn term in prep for open evening. I am not saying they are unimportant but they are certainly less important than primary displays.

@Jimdandy

@lazypuppyI didn’t do any KIT days with mat leave when I had my second child. I couldn’t be bothered.

I'll be doing all 10! I only have to go in for a few hours and it means i get a full days pay,instead of just SMP so no way i would miss out on that money!

It's been great to go back in, keep up to speed on work,have lunch with collegues etc as i've missed not going to work

I've never heard of KIT days. So you get 10 full days pay, just for going in for a few hours? Sweet.

Not normally Clionba - anyone coming in here for KIT days is brought up to date and contributes to projects, so they know what's going on. Yes, they're paid, but they earn it.

Sad to see comments above where professionals are doing it 'just for the money', rather than as an investment in their career.

I do realise that - as in all professions - there are good and bad teachers, those who are committed and those to whom it is 'just a job'.

Ok, so most people are working on those days. I don't understand how the OP has come back from maternity leave on the 21st July but is clearly not up to speed. Has she not had KIT days, could she take 31st August as one?

She’s already back from maternity leave. KIT days are for when you’re off. The 31st is a work day! Plus, the whole point is she doesn’t want to come in on the 31st, whatever type of day it is designated as.

Oh I see. Maybe she'll get back to us and tell us her solution!