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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think schools should be getting heads up on announcements

26 replies

Whywasther55 · 07/01/2021 23:31

Just that really recently it’s been that teachers have found out at the same time as the rest of us. Aibu to think that schools really should get some advanced notice of major announcements?

OP posts:
HoneysuckIejasmine · 07/01/2021 23:32

Well obviously, but that would require a government capable of foresight and logistics... Which we don't have.

Original poster
Whywasther55 · 07/01/2021 23:35

@HoneysuckIejasmine

Well obviously, but that would require a government capable of foresight and logistics... Which we don't have.
But surely the DFE at least have a mailing list of schools that they could use?
OP posts:
marshmallowfluffy · 07/01/2021 23:37

I think that it would be preferable if we started off with Gavin Williamson making education related announcements in person at the daily press conference rather than people having to rely on others giving them the heads up that he's going to say something in the Commons.

Notthissticky · 07/01/2021 23:37

It's not just recently. The closure of schools in March was announced on a Wednesday, with Friday being the last day. Our head teacher found out from the BBC...

marshmallowfluffy · 07/01/2021 23:38

It's amazing how many ministers are invisible when things change

noblegiraffe · 07/01/2021 23:39

The DfE had a meeting on Monday lunchtime where it was discussed that schools wouldn't close and exams would go ahead.

So who would have told schools when Gav and Boris forgot to tell the DfE?

Notthissticky · 07/01/2021 23:39

@marshmallowfluffy

I think that it would be preferable if we started off with Gavin Williamson making education related announcements in person at the daily press conference rather than people having to rely on others giving them the heads up that he's going to say something in the Commons.
I honestly think getting rid of Gavin Williamson altogether can only improve matters. The man is such a liability!
Hardbackwriter · 07/01/2021 23:41

I can't imagine who would think that was unreasonable, apart from the government! There might be some slight defence that they worried about things being kept confidential before official announcements but we know that's not the case because they leak everything in advance anyway...

hedgehogger1 · 07/01/2021 23:48

I've always hated Gove and thought he'd be hard to top. Gav managed it though with his 12 hours of warning followed by telling parents to complain to ofsted.

StrippedFridge · 07/01/2021 23:55

You think you could tell every school in the country that school lockdown is coming while keeping it a secret from everyone else in the country until the official announcement?

As soon as schools know, everybody would know. You can have the information spread by an official announcement or by all the teachers, TAs, their childcare, their partners, etc coming onto MN posting about it. Then you'll moan about the government not announcing it properly.

Original poster
Whywasther55 · 07/01/2021 23:57

@StrippedFridge

You think you could tell every school in the country that school lockdown is coming while keeping it a secret from everyone else in the country until the official announcement?

As soon as schools know, everybody would know. You can have the information spread by an official announcement or by all the teachers, TAs, their childcare, their partners, etc coming onto MN posting about it. Then you'll moan about the government not announcing it properly.

But these things all get leaked anyway Robert peston knew all the info quite some time before Boris’ statement
OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 07/01/2021 23:58

@HoneysuckIejasmine

Well obviously, but that would require a government capable of foresight and logistics... Which we don't have.
This. Bunch of halfwits.or individuals who genuinely don't give a shite about the impact of their indecisiveness on others. Not sure which is worse really.
Notthissticky · 08/01/2021 00:00

You can most definitely inform head teachers and senior leadership teams and expect them not to blab. If nothing else isn't this what injunctions are for??? No one is expecting knowing days beforehand BTW, just some notice before a press briefing and a clear outline of when further details will be provided. It's common courtesy.

Notthissticky · 08/01/2021 00:01

@noblegiraffe

The DfE had a meeting on Monday lunchtime where it was discussed that schools wouldn't close and exams would go ahead.

So who would have told schools when Gav and Boris forgot to tell the DfE?

Fuuuuuuuuck 🤦🏼‍♀️
BackforGood · 08/01/2021 00:04

Absolutely. Same with Universities, and everyone else the Gvmnt are say "will do X or Y"

Equally though, you'd think "the public" might have a bit more patience and a lot more common sense, but it does seems like a race to see who can complain or ask the daftest question first.

CoRhona · 08/01/2021 00:08

But surely the DFE at least have a mailing list of schools that they could use?

They have their addresses...it's the information / details they don't have. It's beyond pitiful.

Knackeredmommy · 08/01/2021 00:08

Yes, but the Government seem to prefer to let agencies/businesses know their decisions at the very last minute just to keep us on our toes! Hmm What I find most frustrating is that they make an announcement but then the actual written guidelines aren't sent out for about a week. Then you have parents asking you (valid) questions that you don't actually know the answers.

Starlightstarbright1 · 08/01/2021 00:10

Yes . As a childminder I had parents messaging me to ask if I could take their children. I didn’t know till guidance was released a few hour later.

I had a child arriving at 6am the next morning

ineedaholidaynow · 08/01/2021 00:10

Or at the very least they would have guidance available as soon as they announce something

noblegiraffe · 08/01/2021 00:11

@CoRhona

But surely the DFE at least have a mailing list of schools that they could use?

They have their addresses...it's the information / details they don't have. It's beyond pitiful.

Yep, look at this shambles:

www.tes.com/news/coronavirus-schools-gcses-2021-was-dfe-dark-pms-exam-announcement

WyfOfBathe · 08/01/2021 00:12

UCAS announced to schools that they were extending the deadline the day before they were going to announce it publicly. Some schools emailed their students immediately, so UCAS had to do a public announcement that evening to confirm that the schools were correct.

I agree that schools should be given much more notice than they currently are, but I don't think it necessarily has to be at a different time to the public.

ineedaholidaynow · 08/01/2021 00:14

Gavin announced in the Commons on Wednesday that KS2 SATS had been cancelled, but that was only after an MP had asked him whether they were still going ahead. He didn’t mention that fact in his opening statement. When would he announced it if someone hadn’t asked the question

gingerbiscuits · 08/01/2021 00:16

Of course we should....but our bumbling, inept Government are a bunch of utter cockwombles!!

As for Gavin Williamson telling parents to complain to Ofsted...Jesus Christ...I can't even go there. 🤬

safclass · 08/01/2021 01:40

I don't mind everyone finding out together but I do object to being told schools will not be shutting and then less than 24hrs later they are shut and for longer than schools /sage / unions were asking for!
As others have said this has gone on since March in the closing and reopening of schools where schools were given no notice to reopen for key workers with little time to contact parents.

inquietant · 08/01/2021 01:49

Yes, but this government is the shittest one we've ever had. End of explanation.

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