School closed next Monday!

[Schoolclosure]

I’ve been meaning to post this all week, I got a text from my dc’s school on Monday saying that due to the electricity board doing work on Monday 2nd dec the school will have no electricity and therefore will be closed. AIBU to think that it’s a tad ridiculous and. They could have just done the work over the bloody weekend!!??

The OP should just be thankful she didn't have DC in school in the 1980s.

Due to strikes, weather and broken boilers, I remember missing dozens of days schooling unexpectedly, although in those days it was unusual to live outside walking distance from school or not have a SAHM to look after us.

According to google, inset days were introduced in 1988, when they were referred to as Baker days, after the minister who introduced them, and what I still call them, but I'm sure we had them before then as I thought I could remember teacher training days from primary school, but maybe they were just the strike or broken boiler days.

As for snow days , where my DH works they pride themselves on never closing for snow days.. however last year the had to.. the first time in ten years. It was because teachers often don't live local to the school and not enough teachers could physically get there to supervise all of the kids.

Good GOD!! I am not complaining about the school!!! I’m complaining about the electricity board!!!! I KNOW it’s not the schools fault!!!! I never said it was!!

My DDs school is closed on Monday for an 'occassional day'
I think that means xmas shopping for teachers?!

Ours closed last week. We live close to the school and we walk past and the lights were all off and no one was at home. ..yep, Xmas shopping..it's the same every year!!

I work for the electricity board. Electricity cannot be guaranteed 24/7 due to faults and maintenances. All businesses, hospitals, schools or people reliant on electrical equipment are required to have their own back of solution in case of an outtage, whatever the cause. For example, having generators. This is completely everyones individual responsibility. Electricity is not a right, it is a service and in everyones terms and conditions it's clearly stated that supply is guaranteed 24/7 - it's impossible. As for people complaining, surely there is a more convenient time for maintenance - there is never a convenient time for electricity to be off. Hence why any one that reliant on it has the onus on them to ensure they have a back up.

They could have just done the work over the bloody weekend!!??

How do you know they’re not? Maybe it’s a 3 day job.

In my area private schools are more able to stay open for snow days as they have a higher teacher to student ratio so even if lots of staff don't make it in they'll probably have enough to remain safe. If the trains aren't running some staff will simply be unable to make it in so without sufficient staff they simply can't open.
A school shutting is an inconvenience to parents but not dangerous so not a priority. Parents would always need a back up childcare solution in case their child woke up sick that morning anyway.

Ours closed last week. We live close to the school and we walk past and the lights were all off and no one was at home. ..yep, Xmas shopping..it's the same every year!!

We have an inset day in January. If you go past our school building all the lights will be off... however, go past another of the local schools and you will see all our cars parked around there as that is where our training is being hosted that day. It is more cost effective to share training amongst schools where possible, especially if a multi academy trust.

Schools have to be open a certain number of days a year. If your schools weren’t closed on “Xmas shopping day” they would just be closed another day, ie an occasional day tagged onto half term like my school do.

So it’s not an extra day, and I assume teachers can do what they like, they’re not obliged to spend it shopping 🤣

It must be fairly unusual to need to close a schoo down for electric works though and I’m sure other dates were requested- must be an emergency?

My DCs go to a British school abroad. They’ve missed five days of school last month because of protests (civil war). Count your blessings...

A few years ago my DCs school had an inset day so I took DC to an agricultural type show about 40 miles away. Whilst there we bumped into the deputy head, their class teacher and two TAs! They hastened to assure me that they had been working hard all morning and had only been at the show for a few minutes. I don’t know who was more embarrassed me or them but DC were delighted to see them and insisted on waving to them enthusiastically every time our paths crossed.

I had a Christmas shopping day the first year I started teaching in the late 80s. It never happened again sadly in any of the schools in which I worked. I imagine they are as rare as hens' teeth nowadays. As for primary schools having back-up generators... why on earth would headteachers prioritise those in their ever-tightening budgets? Surely reading books and art materials and glue-sticks, the stuff they need and use every day would come miles before an expensive appliance that may never be needed?

Teachers' shopping days?

Teachers are supposed to have 5 training (INSET) days a year.I think what may happen in some cases is they do the training after school in twilight sessions and then have a day off in lieu.

Schools close when it snows to stop parents suing the school if their little darling slips over on ice in the playground

In my area and I would have thought most places it's because they simply don't have enough teachers who can either actually or safely make the drive to school and for secondary pupils the buses won't run when it's not safe to do so, but hey, dn't let an actual sensible reason get in the way of your stupid one

The 'electricity board' (no idea who our supplier is or if its a national body that come and do the work) have to do work twice a year where i work that involves turning tghe power off to the site. We ALWAYS get the option at one rate to have it done during mon-fri working hours, and a higher rate to have it done at the weekend. Our boss always chooses the weekend and pays so we don't have to close, and includes in this paying overtime to the keyholder who has to come in on the weekend to unlock for the electricians. I would presume the school had this option but either them or their LA chose not to pay this.

@RevolutionofOurTime with all due respect, I know civil war causes great upset. And I’m sorry your children are going through that but if everyone on here decided to “count their blessings” before having a little rant then I’m guessing 2/3 of the posts would be gone!

And that’s all it is...a little rant.

@Ellie56 that's exactly what happens but apparently that's not a valid reason for many on here as they then have to sort out childcare (god forbid teachers are given flexibility they get ten million holidays a year don't you know!!!!)

I've never heard of Teachers Christmas Shopping days......where does this happen !?????
Ps I'm a TA

I wish ours would close for a day in December! We could do so much! I know that’s not helpful of me. I work full time but I’d love to use a days leave for this.

FFS. DT department should be covering old bikes to dynamos to power school. Get the teachers or kids pedalling....

Actually it would make an interesting topic... Alternative energy.

Converting. Fucking autocorrect.

Might be nothing directly to do with the school, maintenance does have to be done

Maybe they are working over the weekend as well, but will need the Monday to finish things off

I kind of get it OP. Nothing to do with the teachers as you say. The issue is - what are you meant to do if you can't book time off work or have other things on that day when they've only given you a weeks notice?

I'm sure there's all manner of businesses and residents that have preferences to have it done at the weekend/at night/weekdays - can't please all of the people all of the time