School Staff. How do you feel about summer schools?

[Witchcraftandhokum]

Just watched an ex-Ofsted inspector on BBC Breakfast talk about how important summer schools will be and how they should be staffed by the same teachers students have normally.

This hasn't been mentioned in our school yet but I really don't know how it will be managed. I can't imagine a lot of staff will be happy to give up their holidays. In our school a good number of the middle leaders and TA's salaries are pro-rata'd to term time only. I've worked full-time from home so it's not like I've been on holiday since March.

How would you feel about being asked to work?

Ouch

I think I was right to report the football ( to the school itself, not the police or anything!)

I am inclined to wait to see what the gov thinks the time should be for but I, in this case, have nothing to offer.

No way! It’s not fair on teachers, pupils or parents.

Bollocks will that happen.
That is all.

I could see some of my colleagues doing this if the pay is reasonable.

I wouldn't be able to as I have two DS with learning disabilities, so nowhere to put them!

@Piggywaspushed

Singing is out, you know that, right? It is considered one of the most dangerous things.

I think getting creative can sometimes mean teachers either don't read guidelines or perhaps think they are easy to circumvent. I had to report the school across the road for playing football matches...

You reported a school for the kids playing football? Crazy.

The Early Years guidance actually recommends singing.

The Early Years guidance actually recommends singing.

In which of the 50+ versions of their guidance?

Just lost a really long post. It does not recommend singing other than as learning to wash hands. Many people pointed out the flaw.

And, no, I am not going to apologise for speaking to the head about football. It was ridiculous.

I would do it if I was sure the kids who really need it would attend but it’s unlikely they would.

There is new research about singing that says it isn’t as dangerous as at first thought - it was in an article in The Times but it disappeared behind the paywall. It’s irrelevant anyway as they do t want fun summer school activities (if they did, there are plenty of companies who would do it) they want academic catchup.
I’m a supply teacher on a long term contract so won’t get any pay in the holidays. I still wouldn’t go in.

For the DfE to recommend singing when all evidence seems to suggest otherwise was bloody stupid.

Are teachers doing more than usual?

Depends where they are and what their school is asking them to do. I only know what I am doing, and those I know and those I work with.

I am actually a qualified teacher but I am currently employed as a HLTA. Therefore, my contract clearly starts my hours and my holidays - 8:30am to 3:30pm, with 45 minutes unpaid per day for 39 weeks of the year, with - I think - 4 weeks statutory holidays.
I am definitely working longer hours than normal. I have always done longer than my set hours but now working much longer days. I have also worked through 3 week's holiday, unpaid, plus weekends, evenings and bank holidays.
All of our staff at my school are working as hard and many are working longer days. Many are now FT in school plus fitting home learning provision and feedback on top.

I’m planning to use my holidays helping my own kids to catch up on the school work I haven’t been able to help them do because I’ve been busy teaching other people’s kids.

@Piggywaspushed

Just lost a really long post. It does not recommend singing other than as learning to wash hands. Many people pointed out the flaw.

And, no, I am not going to apologise for speaking to the head about football. It was ridiculous.

Actually it was singing to help children settle and socialise rather than hand washing.

I'm all for it. But I wouldn't expect or even want teachers to do it ( unless they want the extra money).
Surely we could use all these students and new grads who haven't got jobs yet for this?
Great experience for them ie history student teaches history to secondary school age etc. Someone who thinks they may want to go into teaching this would be wonderful on a CV and payed work, even if it's not for them long term it's still a great experience and would look good. A few senior teachers to oversee the operation and set the work and win win. ( Obviously only those who want to).
I would also think for some younger teachers a few extra days over the holidays payed work may be a bonus???
The children desperately need schooling and to be quite honest I would be happy with an enthusiastic young graduate demonstrating science, speaking spanish or just passing on a love of a subject to my now very low year 7 child. Online learning lacks all the passion you get from a good teacher.
It doesn't need to be compulsory but if offered I would take it up. My children are suffering now.

It won't happen, but as school staff I wouldn't object. I've been in one week out of three (we have covered hols and bank hols etc obviously) so not overworked.

My dc have been attending school throughout but no way in hell am I sending them over the summer holidays, even if I end up having to take unpaid leave. Absolutely ridiculous to expect teachers to work for free. Disgusting that anyone would even suggest it!!!!!

I don't know anyone who thinks its a good idea.

But the trouble is there is a syllabus, and assessment and so on...
Honestly an enthusiastic graduate banging on about something like Italian reunification is not going to catch anyone up.

I think there needs to be absolute clarity on what the point and purpose is because on even this thread posters ideas range from arts and crafts, through grad schemes and up to full on teaching.

That's not to say the idea of interns is a bad one ;schools do this already but it is very supervised and very carefully planned.

indecent, have you not been working the other weeks?

*I think there needs to be absolute clarity on what the point and purpose is because on even this thread posters ideas range from arts and crafts, through grad schemes and up to full on teaching.

@Piggywaspushed*

Yes but this is how plans will start to take shape, there's no harm in people chatting and throwing about new ideas. Then gradually you weed out the unworkable parts and formulate a plan. People on here are just sharing their ideas, we're not govt advisors unless they trawl mumsnet for ideas which is a distinct possibility we're just pondering. I do agree that a clear plan would be good, preferably one that has actually been discussed with the people who'll be doing the work.

I can't see the government (local or national) paying us. Without pay there is no way anyone would agree to it and I'll be honest, it's unacceptable to ask at this point.

To make it absolutely clear - I am paid for term time only. Yes, I get paid over the summer but only because my wage is split in to 12. So during term time I'm not paid my full hours. I absolutely will not work for free.

Key worker kids and the most vulnerable will need to be supported in hubs over the summer already, heaven knows how that will be figured out and those staff members paid, but nothing else.

Christ, I know education is looked down upon as a profession, but it's really getting to me. I can't even read the whole thread because I know there will be so many "you've done NOTHING during lockdown! Teachers are so ENTITLED! I don't get a holiday so why should you!" posts and I just can't deal with seeing any more.

The amount of necessary safeguarding work that would need to happen would be prohibitive.

OFSTED clearly thinks there's a magic money tree just for the schools, which is interesting considering how they've been completely underfunded for years!

I will not be going in over the summer holidays, i have my own family. And I would laugh out loud if they asked me to do it for free on top of just the request.