Headteacher says I can't go on holiday

[Scuzzymummy]

Ok so this might not be a problem in a few weeks and please please believe me when I say I have done everything possible to ensure my pupils have had my attention and expertise when needed during lockdown. I have recorded lessons, marked work, given feedback etc... I know lots on MN have some very strong feelings about teachers at the moment 😬.
So I have a holiday abroad booked for the 18yh August. I have been hanging on and hanging on to see if we can go. We are so desperate for a break- who isn't- but my headteacher has emailed today and said that of quarantine measures are still in place in September then holidays at the end of August need to be cancelled. What do I do, I know I need to be back in September, god knows I want to have actually children in front of me not a bloody screen. But if we cancel we will loose hundreds and hundreds plus the holiday. We can't change the date, my husband is not able to change. Help!

Her planned holiday was booked in good faith. Things have changed since.

@Scuzzymummy what does your union say?

Have you booked for one week or two - what day are you due to arrive home?

And where are you going?

It seems that the govt are planning to relax quarantine restrictions to travellers from a number of countries from early July.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52544307

It seems very unfair that you should lose so much money when you booked in good faith before covid existed.

Would you be prepared to see if you can negotiate a postponement of the holiday and go somewhere in the UK instead? I know that that might not be possible, and tricky if booked in separate bits, but if you wouldn't resent doing this, it might be worth enquiring.

Bloody stressful for you all round.

Is your school state or private? If state, check your local authority guidelines. Ours have stated any holidays booked before covid 19 issues will be honoured.

For those who haven't understood the issue, the OP booked a holiday last year, whichh would have been (and still is) in the school holidays and she would have been (still will be) back in time for start of term.

The issue is, if 2 weeks quarantine is still in place, and if the holiday still happens, then she won't be able to be back in school for the start of term.

School staff don't have annual leave or TOIL or any way of "using their own leave" during term time.

@saraclara

She's not dictating how the holiday is spent. The head is simply saying that the OP must be back in school for the start of term which cannot happen if she goes on holiday with the quarantine still in place.

I was just about to say, contact your union.

From what I understand the FCO travel advice will stay in place unless a travel corridors formed. If the FCO travel advice does not change then the travel company should cancel and fully refund you. If there is a travel corridor then quarantine wont apply. Croatia is not on the list of countries in the first wave of announcements but I imagine will be on a subsequent announcement - I was watching a facebook live thing with Simon Calder earlier via the Independent newspapers fb page, fairly informative, I have a vested interest as have holiday booked at the beginning of September!

Wondering how long the "quarantine" requirement will last, though...not sure it will. People need to travel for business as well.

(Same with a positive Covid test among schoolchildren. How many parents will be able to take off two weeks if a member of their DC's "bubble" gets it? Our (US) school district has currently mandated that if there are more than three cases at any one time, it's at home learning for two weeks...) Ah, well. We'll have to wait and see.

I so believe you need this holiday. And the hospitality industry needs the business! Is there any chance you could speak with those people and share your situation honestly?
I know it's not the case everywhere, but service/hospitality/etc. people over here are trying to discount services to teachers/doctors/speech therapists, etc.

[quote BostonCheers]@saraclara

She's not dictating how the holiday is spent. The head is simply saying that the OP must be back in school for the start of term which cannot happen if she goes on holiday with the quarantine still in place.[/quote]
Yes she is. She's saying that OP can't go away during her holiday. She's told her to cancel her trip.

Can you take unpaid leave?

This might be helpful OP
www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Joint%20schools%20guidance%20current%20rules%20on%20quarantine%20and%20self%20isolation%20with%20regards%20hospital%20admission%2019%20June.pdf

Ah, Croatia.

Croatia has had low numbers of cv cases, and it's been well managed there.

They will be very keen for tourism to go ahead. It's very likely they'll be on the list of 'safe' countries.

But yes also do speak to your union for advice.

If there is still quarantine arriving back from Croatia in September, then fly back from Croatia to Paris for one night, then book a cheap flight or Eurostar back from France (air bridge). Eh voila!

The union have been really good, but have said that they are still trying to figure this one out too and suggest speaking with my headteacher. Thank you for those who clarified it. I have never booked a holiday in term time, the issue is around the need to quarantine. If there's any quarantine measures still in place I am unable to start school at the beginning of term.my holiday would be over before we go back though

I’d probably just quietly go on holiday and if quarantine is in place advise I am self isolating after catching a cough from a supermarket

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue

If there is still quarantine arriving back from Croatia in September, then fly back from Croatia to Paris for one night, then book a cheap flight or Eurostar back from France (air bridge). Eh voila!

I like this!

Liverpool have said that if school staff have a pre-booked holiday that means that they have to quarantine, they will be on full pay. LAs are like dominoes- once 1 falls, lots do. Fingers crossed for you

Our headmistress advised that if you booked prior to lockdown, you should be able to argue that you shouldn't be penalised. The problem is no one really knows what's going on. I really believe you should should stand your ground on this one.

Us too and we've been told we can apply for up to two weeks' unpaid leave for quarantine if we book travel now (not guaranteed to get it approved though). Might be worth speaking to your union OP?

Can you fly back via Dublin?
You don't quarantine if flying in from there

You should totally get your holiday. I doubt the quarantine will be in place by then so hopefully it won't end up being a row for you.

Take your holiday! God knows you will need it. Schools dictate enough of how teachers spend their time. Don't make a big song and dance about it, just go and deal with things on your return.

We have the same email. Any quarantine required must be covered by annual leave, no exceptions.

I’m waiting to see what “air bridges” the govt can secure.

BBC were saying there's an imminent announcement on travel either this weekend or Monday. That may make position clearer.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53177282

If FCO still say no travel to Croatia then if places won't refund or postpone or credit note you can claim on insurance - I'm going through this now for mine. If a travel corridor quarantine will be dropped. I'm not sure there will be another caterogy but see what announcement says.

Sorry, my earlier post wasn’t clear what the link is.
It’s joint guidance on exactly this issue from the Local Government Association, NAHT and ASCL.
It should answer your questions
JOINT GUIDANCE

www.naht.org.uk/advice-and-support/management/ascl-lga-and-naht-joint-school-workforce-guidance-covid-19/ This might be useful?