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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Headteacher has posted this to facebook

580 replies

NameChangeAgain111 · 12/05/2020 23:52

The headteacher at my DCs school has posted this to Facebook. He says that social distancing is impossible and unless we would be happy to let our DC play in a supermarket for hours to 'not even think about' bringing them to school. I have 2 expected back on June 1st. AIBU to keep them off after this?

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10222994594279008&id=1403891361

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Sadie789 · 12/05/2020 23:53

Your school’s headteacher or “a school headteacher”?

Sadie789 · 12/05/2020 23:55

Oh I’ve re read your OP.

This is a real headteacher at your child’s school.

How incredibly unprofessional.

Griefmonster · 12/05/2020 23:55

My understanding is that it is from 1 June if the conditions at that point allow for a safe environment (i.e. not earlier than 1 June). There is not a chance I would send children in to school until we know the transmission rate is low enough and staff and pupils have measures and euqipment in place to allow safe working.

I can't see that being the case in a couple of weeks...

LockedInMadness · 12/05/2020 23:56

How can he liken it to a supermarket where there are hundreds of people coming and going all day long? Ridiculous.

FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue · 12/05/2020 23:56

If he really is a headteacher then he's going to be in big trouble with his LEA and governors.

happyandsingle · 12/05/2020 23:57

I wouldn't.

Legoandloldolls · 12/05/2020 23:57

That's incredibly bad form if it's your HT.i hope the LA dont see it.

As a aside a head role can be 100k..its a extremely hard job and you need so many skills its mind blowing what they juggle. But it's not a pittance. I cant pity that as poor pay.

Original poster
NameChangeAgain111 · 12/05/2020 23:57

My DCs schools headteacher. I don't think it's unprofessional. He could save a life with that post. Of one of his colleagues, or a parent or even a child. I think he's brave.

OP posts:
Fedup21 · 12/05/2020 23:57

I would trust the experienced head teacher of a school to keep my children and staff safe, over our current government advice. The head will be liable and accountable. The government will point the finger and blame the school if anything goes wrong.

Good for the head.

SusieOwl4 · 12/05/2020 23:58

A school is not a supermarket ? It’s a totally different environment.

I am not saying it’s right to send all children back , but as a reason ?

It’s so wrong .

Crunchymum · 12/05/2020 23:58

I'm not sure if its a FB thing but that is unreadable.

Paragraphs go a long way!!

BritWifeinUSA · 12/05/2020 23:59

I stopped reading after “teachers are not in it for the pay or holidays”. Why did he need to mention that? What is he scared of that he thinks he has to justify his choice of career? Methinks he doth protest too much. I’m on my job for the money. Nothing else. I could be all “warm and fuzzy” and pretend it’s because I love the customers and so on but it’s money that pays my mortgage and other bills. Nothing else.

He’s in it for the money. When he owns that, I’ll read what he has to say. I don’t need the “woe is me” talk.

Sadie789 · 12/05/2020 23:59

You don’t think it’s unprofessional for a headteacher to bleat a completely unfounded diatribe all over Facebook actively discouraging parents from sending their children to school?

The world has gone utterly mad.

SusieOwl4 · 12/05/2020 23:59

Well that’s it then no school ever .

Original poster
NameChangeAgain111 · 12/05/2020 23:59

@23:56LockedInMadness There's about 650 kids in the school, who all need to be dropped off. 100+ staff. So literally hundreds of people coming and going everyday. Worse than a supermarket, because social distancing is impossible.

OP posts:
CrazyTimesAreOccurring · 12/05/2020 23:59

Well written and he is obviously rightly fuming and totally bemused at the government putting him and especially children in this ridiculous position. No clarity, no extra classrooms, yet expected to social distance.

donquixotedelamancha · 13/05/2020 00:00

If he really is a headteacher then he's going to be in big trouble with his LEA and governors.

Why? He's given his professional opinion in a private capacity, as many doctors, supermarket staff and scientists have been doing for weeks.

There was nothing inappropriate in the post, it gave a good explanation of some of the logistical difficulties.

Student58 · 13/05/2020 00:00

No children are expected back on June 1 currently. Some children might go back on June 1 if the situation continues to improve and if schools can be made safe. No point worrying too much until it gets a lot closer.

Boris was being nagged for a road map. So he gave a very vague and rather unhelpful roadmap full of ifs and maybes and 'at the earliest'.

SusieOwl4 · 13/05/2020 00:00

Good job nurses have not done the same .

ssd · 13/05/2020 00:00

How is it unprofessional to be upfront and honest with parents?

What a ridiculous comment.

Redwinestillfine · 13/05/2020 00:00

Headteachers are fuming. They weren't consulted at all. No wonder they have massive concerns.

PrimalLass · 13/05/2020 00:00

There's nothing wrong with him being honest.

ZombieFan · 13/05/2020 00:01

Disgraceful behaviour by that headteacher if its true.

SachaStark · 13/05/2020 00:01

He makes some very good points, and parents should be listening to them.

Good for him for going above the parapet.

donquixotedelamancha · 13/05/2020 00:02

I stopped reading after “teachers are not in it for the pay or holidays”. Why did he need to mention that?

Because it's the constant refrain of an unpleasant minority on social media. Have you not read any of the similar threads on here before they got pulled because of the abuse?