School will be closed at lunchtime one day a week from Sept

[Ilovecranberries]

The school (primary) had just informed the parents that they will be closing at lunchtime on one day a week from September to facilitate "planning".
I don't even know what to say. AIBU to think it is ridiculous? I am a single working parent, not sure how I am supposed to work around this. Extra childcare for these 3.5 hours at the local childminders rates will be £56 a week (two children here). Or two grand a year post tax. I probably will be told I am BU (I probably am), just very anxious right now.

It's not just Birmingham, I believe it's happening it's been happening all over the country. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/vale-view-school-closing-friday-15831639
@cansu many schools have made their TAs redundant, they cost a lot more than £10k a year.

@Ilovecranberries

On a more serious note, if you did quit, how much worse off would you be on benefits? Just out of interest? In my particular case it is not an option (no recourse to public funds), but had I been British or EU, not by much. The most advantageous financial combination (as in net position after expenses) would be to not to quit the job market altogether, but rathe work around 20 hours / week at min wage, as strange as it sounds. My job currently is at a postgrad level in a STEM area, with a very decent salary, and obviously comes with other advantages. I stopped thinking about what have I done wrong in my life, it is not productive.

If you’re on a good salary, does the extra £30ish a week for term time childcare make that much of an impact?

Choosing jobs? It's not really a choice round here!!

I’m not sure what you mean but yes if I entertained the notion of looking outside London and saw one there (there must be some jobs there!?) I’d avoid it like the plague knowing that schools were falling like dominoes.

If people didn’t trot out trite phrases and myopic claims about education being important then this thread wouldn’t have gone this way.

The issue is when teachers and schools behave as if they are in a bubble with no impact on life choices for parents and therefore children.

And people wonder why there has been a recent surge in applications for private schools. State education and wrap around provision in this country is terrible.

A PP said "other countries in Europe manage it" (or similar) and yes they do, but they tend to have much better wrap around care and heavily subsidised childcare as well as a reduced child to adult ratio in the younger years.

@SandieCheeks
Well yes, it does, it adds up over time. Let's put things into perspective, shall we. It is £52 /week (I wrote £56 earlier on the thread, it is somewhat lower actually now that I calculated the exact amount per week). It is an extra £2K / year post tax (assuming 39 weeks), or ~£3.3K annual marginal cost in terms of my gross salary. No, it is not an amount that will plunge us into the poverty but yes, it is an amount that I am quite sensitive to. As I said, it is the difference between seeing my parents next year or not (but apparently, I need to give my head a wobble to dream of such luxury). No, it is not "essential", it is a "good to have".

The issue is when teachers and schools behave as if they are in a bubble with no impact on life choices for parents and therefore children.

The issue is where schools are forced, by lack of funding, to make decisions that impact on parents because otherwise they will not have exercise books.

Choosing jobs? It's not really a choice round here!!

There aren't many jobs. You apply for one and get one and think yourself lucky. Some areas don't have a choice.

Odds are if you're coming from London and moving for a job, then you'll be moving to a relatively affluent area that won't have done this because they are better funded from the community.

Herc I don’t disagree on funding but why are so many posters who say they are teachers still stating that they are doing this because education is important?

Hopefully it is a very small vocal part of education sector on mn threads, otherwise it’s worrying how disconnected they are from the reality of closing schools early.

The attitudes expressed here make me wonder if funding is the only issue.

I really hope Most of the the teachers who posted on here over lockdown are in the minority.

I haven't read every comment but I can't see how anyone could argue that this is to benefit students education. Unless they mean that the PPA time is necessary (which it is) and the only way to give staff PPA time is by closing early.

@CountessFrog That's quite rude. Everyone has an experience of school and they seem to think that means they know everything about it. Quite often decisions are made that seem crazy to outsiders but when you find out more information they make sense. Context and understanding the current school climate is important.

@LaurieMarlow

On a more serious note, if you did quit, how much worse off would you be on benefits? Just out of interest?

I quit. No apologies. I am vulnerable. My mum who loves with us is vulnerable. I have a child who is vulnerable. I have a new job, thankfully but it pays less. I will top up with an inheritance I had been saving for an emergency. I will not be returning to teaching.

Even the Birmingham school is at it so not just here.

‘The vast majority of the kids are collected and taken home to play and chill with a parent or grandparents.

Some do homework that frees them up for the weekend, families are encouraged to make medical appointments on Friday afternoons, and any families looking to get away for the weekend can make an early dart.

Now the teachers and teaching assistants meet together on Friday afternoon to share the week’s experiences, to highlight issues and challenges, to discuss individual pupils who need extra support, and plan together, which gives the children a really positive experience.’

Zero consideration here for the reality of closing a school early. At least they provide play hours for ft working parents unlike for the op.

More of the same below, totally unaware of the real impact of widening the gap by withdrawing hours.

Children are entitled by law to 380 sessions (equivalent to 190 full days)

Scottish law is clearly different, as it’s already happening here

Has law for other nations changed to permit a shorter entitlement?

Or will termtime a have to be lengthened to catch up the 10% missed each week ?

I quit. No apologies.

I’m not sure who’s expecting apologies, certainly not me. You do what’s right for you.

There will be a lot of single parents forced out of the workplace soon unfortunately. Without safety nets.

[quote user1468867871]Ladies there is a very organized campaign called Us for Them that has been formed and they are growing and have many experts in the field of children’s health and education on board. The bigger our voices the more we are heard about our dissatisfaction with what is being offered in September.
m.facebook.com/groups/3370510822981685?ref=m_notif&notif_t=group_activity[/quote]
Good grief. What a dreadful group that is. You actually want to endanger teachers even more than the government does.

You should be ashamed.

Teachers matter every bit as much as your children. They aren't yours to dictate to. They have a right to the safest possible environment.

@iVampire
I think this rule is only for local authority schools, not applicable to maintained (e.g. religious) schools and academies.

Sorry - "non-maintained" above.

@Goingdownto I use the term 'ladies' in chats in the same manner, I see nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, the group usforthem england are a very organised group and have our childrens best interests at heart and I highly recommend the group myself.

Parents are not always going to have the same opinions on things and I think if there are discussions within that group on related things like that then either join the debate or ignore. If people think schools should stay open during a second wave, you may find it's because the science is supporting that. You always have the choice to withdraw your children from school if you don't agree.

Overall the group's main objectives is for schools to open without damaging restrictions on our children (and they do try to encourage the group to stay on focus) and so if you feel this way then please join and strengthen the numbers.

@iVampire

Children are entitled by law to 380 sessions (equivalent to 190 full days)

Scottish law is clearly different, as it’s already happening here

Has law for other nations changed to permit a shorter entitlement?

Or will termtime a have to be lengthened to catch up the 10% missed each week ?

Ivampire there is no "shorter" entitlement in Scotland, schools which have the shorter Friday simply start earlier and/or finish later, the children are in the school for the same time. It does all work out.

Tim and User, are you female? It is very rare to use ladies here on mumsnet. I'm sure it goes down better on other forums.
Let's hope you're right about the safety of schools for adults and children, and don't end up with blood on your hands.

@Goingdownto

Tim and User, are you female? It is very rare to use ladies here on mumsnet. I'm sure it goes down better on other forums. Let's hope you're right about the safety of schools for adults and children, and don't end up with blood on your hands.

Yes I am in fact a lady/female/mum - i was on here a few years back when i had my son but haven't used it in a while. There's way too much PC stuff going on with telling people what terminology to use. We are ladies right? Why so offensive? what should we address you as?

If you don't think schools should go back unrestricted then don't join the group, simple. But others may want to.

The issue is when teachers and schools behave as if they are in a bubble with no impact on life choices for parents and therefore children.

I disagree, I think that confusing everything is a big part of the problem. First teachers have no say on when their school open or not, for their own working hours or for their own children, usually allocated a different school..

Be very clear on what is education (technically oak academy could be defined as "education" and I can't be the only one who is not wild about it!)

and be very clear on the need for wraparound care and resources available around school time, including half terms, which other countries do a lot better.

The Birmingham and other schools were a mere example to show what already started long BEFORE the pandemic. With the possible need for 'bubbles" and restricted staff, I can't see thing improving. I know some posters are only here for a fight, let's ignore them, but there are also posters who need to open their eyes on what they are facing.

First teachers have no say on when their school open or not

Tg yes they don’t, going by posts here. Head teachers / leaders do. Hopefully they take more responsibility and are more aware of the role full time hours at school play in society.

Who is up for a fight it’s called a chat forum. I disagree with what you are saying.

You are perfectly allowed to disagree, and I am merely replying to you.

I didn't include you in the group of goady posters only here for a fight! Their posts seems to be deleted fairly quickly for a reason.