AIBU or are the lives of school staff worthless?

[Witchcraftandhokum]

I fully appreciate that the education and mental well-being of children is important but why does it trump the physical and mental health of school staff? The facts are simple, people are being told to stay at home because it is unsafe to do otherwise, unless you work in education or the NHS who are provided with effective PPE.

On a daily basis I am expected to supervise the diner where 150 students eat lunch (obviously mask free) if I wish to eat I am also mask free. I have to supervise the same 150 children in narrow corridors. For this pupils are supposed to wear masks but there are a number who refuse (not the students who are exempt) and we cannot enforce it. We hand out hundreds of masks per week to students whose parents don't ensure they have one with them.

We are not allowed to wear masks in classrooms but are given visors which aren't as effective. The children are not allowed to wear masks in classrooms. None of this are rules imposed by the school but are in-line with the government guidance.

We have students who say they have developed a cough knowing we have to send them home, we cannot make the decision as to whether they are lying or not, but I've been verbally abused by parents calling me "fucking stupid" for not knowing when a child is lying.

Before half-term we had 25% of staff off sick as they had tested positive (including myself). There are many experts stating schools should be shut but Boris has done a fantastic job of insinuating that school staff are lazy and don't want to work, and the early response to the unions concerns shows that this is working. I've never suffered with stress or anxiety but the thought of a return to school tomorrow is making me feel sick.

Talking to colleagues who work in other schools it appears my experience is not unusual. So AIBU to think that this government doesn't give a shiny shit about school staff.

The comments were crucifying the officer for not wearing a mask properly - the comments ignored that he would probably rather not be stood there with a scrap of fabric slipping on his face dealing with someone giving him grief over the pandemic.

It's awful for some occupations, the complaints they get for just trying to do their job amidst all this shit. I was doing yard duty at break time today in the bucketing rain. It was really biblical. We lead the classes into the building one at a time, in line. So of course, it meant that some classes had to stand in the rain, many of the pupils didn't bother to wear coats and got absolutely soaked while waiting to go in. I am waiting for the parental complaints tomorrow about how we made their child stand in the rain getting soaked.

There have been quite a few changes a few years back though so not as generous as it once was.

Still significantly more generous than defined contribution, generally speaking.

So is there a campaign group that campaigns to stop mask wearing in policing as there is for schools?

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

So is there a campaign group that campaigns to stop mask wearing in policing as there is for schools?

@echt

*Leave and find another job with 3 months holiday a year and a pension. No ones keeping you there*

Churlish, and mistaken. All employers have to offer a pension.

Still off you go find another job with 3 months holidays a year...or just go find another job with normal holidays forget the pension!

@Elsewyre: "Well I've learned something new today, only people who work in schools have kids."

I think you need to read Curlyhairedassassin's post again, as you have totally failed to understand it. At no point did she say that, or anything like it.

saraclara as stated I said our hospital meaning my local hospital. However I have friends in medical fields up and down the country and not one has been told a mask is ok for that length of time so may be worth questioning. Even voluntary first responders change masks in between each patient.

Noble - I don't know of a group, but it would be a colossal waste of time given the lack of PPE in use in public services. For instance during the first lockdown prison staff in prisons local to me were discouraged from wearing masks as prisons were like tinder boxes with rumours amongst inmates. Had staff worn face masks there would have likely been riots in panic. Inmates had literally convinced themselves marshal law was about to happen on the streets outside.

Try conducting a 2 hour interview in a small room at close quarters with a face mask on...nope doesn't work so they don't get used.

As I say, a campaign group would be a waste of time. That said, I can understand why some people would be against facemasks in school, as I have seen some strong opinions on it and whilst I don't agree with them, I understand them. One of my children is below the age of legal requirement for a face mask, yet is made to wear it as a compulsory requirement in school and I don't kick up a stink. Other parents probably would. Who's right and who's wrong as legally the child shouldn't have to wear one if under the legal limit?

Curlyhairedassassin - I think you're right. This is a forum where there are so many opinions (and often strong ones) that it can be tough going to read them when you're feeling drained and burnt out. Parents often have exceptionally high expectations of teachers and it is exhausting. I like to think I'm quite reasonable in what I expect from the teachers for my children and undemanding as I understand a little of what life must be like. I appreciate that is not the case for many and teachers are in a no win/thankless position.

Schools being re-opened have saved one of my children from the spiralling depression they were developing. I hope that everything possible is being done to make schools as safe as possible for all (and I believe more can be done), but it frightens me to hear the voices calling for closures as the psychological damage this will cause many children is alarming.

Noble - I don't know of a group, but it would be a colossal waste of time given the lack of PPE in use in public services. For instance during the first lockdown prison staff in prisons local to me were discouraged from wearing masks as prisons were like tinder boxes with rumours amongst inmates. Had staff worn face masks there would have likely been riots in panic. Inmates had literally convinced themselves marshal law was about to happen on the streets outside.

Try conducting a 2 hour interview in a small room at close quarters with a face mask on...nope doesn't work so they don't get used.

As I say, a campaign group would be a waste of time. That said, I can understand why some people would be against facemasks in school, as I have seen some strong opinions on it and whilst I don't agree with them, I understand them. One of my children is below the age of legal requirement for a face mask, yet is made to wear it as a compulsory requirement in school and I don't kick up a stink. Other parents probably would. Who's right and who's wrong as legally the child shouldn't have to wear one if under the legal limit?

"Still off you go find another job with 3 months holidays a year...or just go find another job with normal holidays forget the pension!"

(unpaid holidays, I might point out). You'd better hope that echt and other teachers on these threads don't take you up on that suggestion, as your kids really would be in the shit then.

Noble - I don't know of a group

Well there you go, teachers do know of a group, they’ve been prolific on here.

When you berate teachers for being vocal on here unlike other professions, perhaps you should consider whether they have been under immense provocation?

I mean, it was so bad back in the spring we had to co-ordinate a response to teacher attacks on here. I had to leave MN because I couldn’t cope. (I’m sure many are sorry to see me back).

I just don’t see the same level of vitriol, or the same actively campaigning for lack of safety (and telling us to suck it up and accusing us of ‘sacrificing children’ if we express concerns) for the other workers that you think are handling things better.

All the government cares about is having a place where people can dump their little darlings, so they can go to work. It's disgraceful how teachers are treated.

@Smileyaxolotl1 there is definitely other professions that come into close contact with no effective ppe. Social workers are one of them.
I have definitely seen more than 39 people today, in their own homes and in my office. No effective ppe. In close contact with children and parents and with other staff. Worked all the way through lockdown doing the same.
I'm not denying teachers have it hard but so does everyone else and we just have to get on with it because it's our job and it's important

I have definitely seen more than 39 people today, in their own homes and in my office. No effective ppe. In close contact with children and parents and with other staff. Worked all the way through lockdown doing the same

Were they advised against wearing PPE? Teachers were.

Noble - because those groups are used to being vilified, they are used to being subjected to negativity and damned no matter what they do. They don't notice the fact they're targeted because it's common place and they accept the constant criticism. They're also used to no one fighting their corner or paying attention when they try to do so. Teachers are allowed to strike - prison and police officers don't have this luxury.

No it's not a race to the bottom, but equally teaching staff should recognise what they do have already, as well as what they would like (IMO).

Yes, it is disgusting the way some people speak towards teachers, but it is also disgusting the way people in other professions are spoken to daily by the same members of the public. Teachers are not alone in this, they're just good at being vocal about it and as I said earlier, perhaps other sectors need to learn from this...!

I'm not denying teachers have it hard but so does everyone else

But that’s not true is it? When I see my solicitor from 2m away behind a screen or am temperature checked before going into the Apple store or have to do a GP appointment via phone call it certainly doesn’t feel like everyone else is just doing their jobs as normal with no mitigation.

@echt

I have definitely seen more than 39 people today, in their own homes and in my office. No effective ppe. In close contact with children and parents and with other staff. Worked all the way through lockdown doing the same

Were they advised against wearing PPE? Teachers were.

Prison officers in my local area are discouraged from wearing PPE unless dealing with someone with active covid symptoms because they're worried the tense prisoners are like coiled springs and will panic if officers wear masks. So that's officers dealing in close quarters in shifts of up to 12/13 hours with 50 to 120 prisoners if not more, and no PPE

All the government cares about is having a place where people can dump their little darlings, so they can go to work.

Well that is important. Key workers need to be available to do their jobs. Private sector workers are needed to raise tax revenue to fund things like healthcare and education (not to mention public sector salaries.)