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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this last minute inset day is a terrible idea!

279 replies

Gotajobthrunepotism · 09/12/2020 22:11

Please don’t think I’m teacher bashing. Because I’m really not: I think teaching must be a stressful job, and not one I would choose.

But, this last minute inset day is an awful idea:
This year has been dreadful, and stressful for most people. We home schooled during lockdown while both working full time in hectic jobs. And it was very trying.

To schedule a last minute inset day makes it so difficult for people to get childcare: not everyone has someone to look after their child (particularly if your family are shielding)

Surely this should have been announced at the start of term so parents could plan in advance ?

OP posts:
lollipoprainbow · 10/12/2020 08:20

Our school isn't doing it there is a half day instead.

Iwantacookie · 10/12/2020 08:20

My dc primary school sent a letter out yesterday saying they were staying open for the 18th mainly due to childcare and disruption issues. She then said she would take over track and trace until xmas eve.
I think they have tried to do the best in a shitty situation.

Mummyoflittledragon · 10/12/2020 08:23

@SansaSnark

It is a bit crap for parents, I agree, but so is expecting teachers to work as unpaid contact tracers for the first 6 days of the school holidays, including Christmas Eve.

Realistically, I think the DfE are aware that a lot of teachers wouldn't be easily contactable/reliable on Christmas Eve - but of course they have given schools a choice and will make the school into the bad guy.

I am a bit unconvinced by the childcare argument though - at least it's only 1 day, rather than 2 weeks of self isolating!

This. The government should have allowed schools to home school for the last week of term to give poor teachers a proper break during the holidays.

Dd is only going for a half day on 18th and I presume her school has decided against this Mickey Mouse idea as I’ve heard nothing and they are good communicators.

drspouse · 10/12/2020 08:23

My DCs schools aren't taking it. If schools don't have to, I'm surprised that any are taking it.

SaltyAF · 10/12/2020 08:24

We're not having inset but neither will I be checking my seating plans for contacts over Christmas. It will just have to be whole classes or year groups to self isolate.

ememem84 · 10/12/2020 08:42

Where I am there’s call to close schools today. Our gov are meeting today to decide whether they will close from end of school day today. This will be announced in a press conference at 7pm this evening. Which won’t really give peoole time to sort things out.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/12/2020 08:43

@ememem84

Where I am there’s call to close schools today. Our gov are meeting today to decide whether they will close from end of school day today. This will be announced in a press conference at 7pm this evening. Which won’t really give peoole time to sort things out.
What area are you?
Welcometonowhere · 10/12/2020 08:44

Closing for the last week of term creates an absolute nightmare for working parents, mummy, especially at this time of year.

This is why school term dates are published so far in advance.

ememem84 · 10/12/2020 08:45

Jersey. The school closure doesn’t affect me as my two are not old enough for school yet. But it’s a shambles here.

Parker231 · 10/12/2020 08:45

Where is childcare going to suddenly be available from? I know every school is different but our local one has had no cases and the one I’m a governor at has only had two. Neither are closing early.

Welcometonowhere · 10/12/2020 08:46

It won’t be parker, that’s why it’s so horribly unfair ro swoop this on people at the eleventh hour.

Thedarknightsaredrawingin · 10/12/2020 08:52

@SaltyAF I think this will be the case in most schools here too. Heads are taking full responsibility and can’t continue to disrupt staff holidays so entire year groups or classes.

Derelictwreck · 10/12/2020 08:57

This is not teachers. This is Gormless Gav and the DfE changing the goal posts again at the last minute

Actually, its the teachers unions. So either lots of teachers do want it or the unions are really out of touch.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/12/2020 08:57

Still no word from DS's primary about their plans. I'm single, have to work and cannot do my job from home. This last minute changing is a pain. There's hardly any childcare open at Christmas either.

HallFloor · 10/12/2020 08:58

@Derelictwreck

This is not teachers. This is Gormless Gav and the DfE changing the goal posts again at the last minute

Actually, its the teachers unions. So either lots of teachers do want it or the unions are really out of touch.

When did the unions ask for a last minute inset day?
Helmetbymidnight · 10/12/2020 08:59

Actually, its the teachers unions. So either lots of teachers do want it or the unions are really out of touch.

the teachers unions wanted a single inset day on the 18th sprung on them 9 days before? where are you getting that from?
link please.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 10/12/2020 09:01

It's the government rather than schools that are to blame for mismanaging this.

All the staff and half the patents will now be expecting earlier closure and demanding it. The other half of the parents will be resisting it and complaining. The head cannot do right for doing wrong and will be lambasted whatever their decision.

Outrageous that schools were informed in the press at the same time as everyone else. It's a huge U turn. Until the announcement LAs had been threatening to fine any schools that closed early.

What a shitshow

Welcometonowhere · 10/12/2020 09:01

They did ask for two weeks of home learning IIRC, however that is to be expected.

Helmetbymidnight · 10/12/2020 09:03

perhaps derelictwreck knows something that no one else does Hmm
or is just making things up.

FatGirlShrinking · 10/12/2020 09:03

DDs school have confirmed they're not using it, too short notice for parents and they already have lots of fun things planned for the kids last day. I just hope the schools of all the teachers kids do the same otherwise it could be very difficult for them to sort childcare.

myhobbyisouting · 10/12/2020 09:04

"Kids needing to isolate would be a pain in the arse, but we’d need to suck it up."

That's not the reason they've done this. You've missed the point.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 10/12/2020 09:07

You see I want them to close early.
I want to see my dad at Christmas and this gives us an extra day to isolate and make it safer.
I've already booked it off work to reduce my own contacts and risk so I'm very pleased.
I think there will be a lot of people who feel like me. I would not write and complain if they didn't but many parents would. They'll feel it's their right to finish a day early not an option and won't send their kids anyway.

PurpleDaisies · 10/12/2020 09:08

@Derelictwreck

This is not teachers. This is Gormless Gav and the DfE changing the goal posts again at the last minute

Actually, its the teachers unions. So either lots of teachers do want it or the unions are really out of touch.

Where are you getting this from?
SquirtleSquad · 10/12/2020 09:09

Our head has said they won't be taking up this inset day, it's too short notice, they'd have to make it up next year and it messes up their existing plans for the 18th so school will be open as usual. Thank god.