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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Schools closed for the Queen’s funeral

855 replies

Notme1980 · 10/09/2022 11:09

First off, Queen Elizabeth II was an amazing ruler and an inspiration, we are a forces family and my husband has served her for 30 plus years.

but - I do not want the schools to be closed for her funeral (or for any reason at all), I want us to do what I believe she would have done, press on.

OP posts:
itsjustnotok · 10/09/2022 19:57

It has been announced. It’s on the 19th

noblegiraffe · 10/09/2022 19:58

There's a reason why I haven't said that or anything remotely pertaining to it.

Then why are you on a thread about schools closing for the bank holiday going on about people needing childcare?

Onthedowns · 10/09/2022 19:59

Snowdropsarelovely · 10/09/2022 11:12

It's a historical national event- of course schools should close!

This

nachoavocado · 10/09/2022 20:00

squashyhat · 10/09/2022 11:12

What you want doesn't really figure I'm afraid.

This

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 10/09/2022 20:00

noblegiraffe · 10/09/2022 19:58

There's a reason why I haven't said that or anything remotely pertaining to it.

Then why are you on a thread about schools closing for the bank holiday going on about people needing childcare?

To read about people's views on the issue and discuss anything I find interesting or relevant, the same as everyone else posting on here. That's how discussion boards work.

noblegiraffe · 10/09/2022 20:04

"If schools close for the bank holiday when some people will need childcare but this is not a reason for schools not to close".

Great. Agree.

AloysiusBear · 10/09/2022 20:05

Noblegiraffe
There are lots of parents in my child's class who will have to work regardless. Armed services, hospitality, retail, transport & logistics, medical, self employed people who's workload & financial position mean they'll need to work. Lots of people who work in things like electricity/water/gas supply have to work.

Lots of people in professional roles will have committed to projects or critical deadlines months ago that can't be moved now to accommodate whole teams having a day off at only a weeks notice so those people may be expected to work & have the bank holiday in lieu later.

To be clear, I'm not wholly against the bank holiday.... but I'm very sympathetic to those for whom it creates a stressful childcare situation having schools close. Bear in mind this will almost certainly happen again for the coronation too.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 10/09/2022 20:06

noblegiraffe · 10/09/2022 20:04

"If schools close for the bank holiday when some people will need childcare but this is not a reason for schools not to close".

Great. Agree.

As long as you aren't trying to pretend schools don't function as childcare, the thing I'm discussing, or that the existence of some parents who don't need it somehow counters that argument, I'm all good.

EducatingArti · 10/09/2022 20:08

purfectpuss · 10/09/2022 12:14

Why would anyone not want a free day off school and work?

Because I'm self employed and don't get paid if I don't work.
It is tricky for me as I work in education and August is quite a lean month because of holidays. I need the pick up in income for September quite badly ( and yes just one day is significant).
However the families/children I work with may understandably have other plans for that day so I may not get work/pay even if I say I am willing to work!

CapMarvel · 10/09/2022 20:09

denpark · 10/09/2022 18:31

Schools are only your 'childcare' during school hours. Not weekends or Bank Holidays.

Deal with it.

I will. Obviously.

But weekends tend to follow a pretty predictable schedule and I usually know when bank holidays are with more than a week's notice.

I understand why the schools are closing, that doesn't stop it being a complete pain in the tits for something I personally don't care about in the slightest.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 10/09/2022 20:11

AloysiusBear · 10/09/2022 20:05

Noblegiraffe
There are lots of parents in my child's class who will have to work regardless. Armed services, hospitality, retail, transport & logistics, medical, self employed people who's workload & financial position mean they'll need to work. Lots of people who work in things like electricity/water/gas supply have to work.

Lots of people in professional roles will have committed to projects or critical deadlines months ago that can't be moved now to accommodate whole teams having a day off at only a weeks notice so those people may be expected to work & have the bank holiday in lieu later.

To be clear, I'm not wholly against the bank holiday.... but I'm very sympathetic to those for whom it creates a stressful childcare situation having schools close. Bear in mind this will almost certainly happen again for the coronation too.

This is my view too, except I don't think the coronation will be akin to this situation because the date for that is surely going to be announced much further in advance. I think a bank holiday is probably preferable to some of the other less formalised options, but on a parenting forum of course it's important we fully acknowledge the impact that any short notice school closure has.

CapMarvel · 10/09/2022 20:13

flumposie · 10/09/2022 19:46

I didn't spend years and my own money to train to be 'childcare'. I trained to be a teacher. I have never viewed my child's school as 'childcare'. It's insulting as to what we do. Yes, we care for children ( spent a lot of time last week on safe guarding training), but we are not there to provide 'childcare'. The job centre might also think that we are, but they are wrong.

It's not insulting at all. The fact is that school, especially for younger kids is both education for the kids and childcare for many parents.

Loics · 10/09/2022 20:20

No-one is saying they view teachers as childcare, but the fact is that when young children aren't in school, they require childcare. When a 10 year old is at school, they are learning. After school, if parents are at work, they require childcare. Same as they will on a bank holiday.

cadburyegg · 10/09/2022 20:20

Lots of privileged comments on this thread. Plenty of people may struggle to sort childcare out with only a week's notice. You can look up the bank holidays for 2023 online, usually people are warned well in advance. Lots of temp workers and staff on zero hours contracts will lose a day's pay. Even agency staff in schools won't be paid. If the bank holiday isn't a problem for you then great but don't look down on people who it will cause a problem for.

TwinkleChristmas · 10/09/2022 20:23

People just like to moan about everything.

dottiedodah · 10/09/2022 20:24

The Queens passing is a huge historic event. Bank Holiday is a chance for people to have a choice of whether to watch the funeral if they wish to .

TheRookie · 10/09/2022 20:25

It's all very well if you work in an industry who automatically get bank holidays but neither me nor my DH work in those industries. We plan BH with our annual leave and time in lieu but have you choice this time. What are we meant to do? We certainly won't be the only ones. I get that it's a huge historical event I really do but it's not as easy as oh yes a BH, great! For everyone.

Sherrystrull · 10/09/2022 20:29

AloysiusBear · 10/09/2022 20:05

Noblegiraffe
There are lots of parents in my child's class who will have to work regardless. Armed services, hospitality, retail, transport & logistics, medical, self employed people who's workload & financial position mean they'll need to work. Lots of people who work in things like electricity/water/gas supply have to work.

Lots of people in professional roles will have committed to projects or critical deadlines months ago that can't be moved now to accommodate whole teams having a day off at only a weeks notice so those people may be expected to work & have the bank holiday in lieu later.

To be clear, I'm not wholly against the bank holiday.... but I'm very sympathetic to those for whom it creates a stressful childcare situation having schools close. Bear in mind this will almost certainly happen again for the coronation too.

So? People chose jobs knowing that things like this sometimes occur. I fail to see why school staff should care. The government made a decision.

Sparklybutold · 10/09/2022 20:39

It won't be bank holiday for many. I work in health and social care and will have to carry on. It's ironic that once again the people working on the ground so-to-speak have to carry on. Maybe after, everyone can go out and clap for those still working? For the most part it's all sanctimonious shite.

StaunchMomma · 10/09/2022 20:40

Well, whether you like it or not it's a bank holiday, so yes, they will be closed!

Forestgate · 10/09/2022 20:41

What about people who have waited months / years for elecivr operations / doctors appointments which will now be cancelled. Kids who've missed years of school. Why can't they watch it in school and have a day of history . Who says them being at home will = them watching / respecting what it means.

Peoniesandcream · 10/09/2022 20:45

@Slushycuppa what about parents who are nurses etc though? Hospitals aren't closing 🤔

TwinkleChristmas · 10/09/2022 20:45

Forestgate · 10/09/2022 20:41

What about people who have waited months / years for elecivr operations / doctors appointments which will now be cancelled. Kids who've missed years of school. Why can't they watch it in school and have a day of history . Who says them being at home will = them watching / respecting what it means.

Because it’s now a bank holiday and schools will be shut.

App will be rearranged.

noblegiraffe · 10/09/2022 20:47

Kids who've missed years of school.

Which kids are these?

cadburyegg · 10/09/2022 20:47

App will be rearranged.

I can't believe you think that's an acceptable reply to someone concerned re elective operations being cancelled.