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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:
LittleBearPad · 11/09/2022 10:09

I haven't seen any teachers on here sounding worn down and bitter. They just want to take a BH that has been granted by King Charles without being criticised, like all the other people who will get BH Monday off work on the 19th September.

And so they should.

1dayatatime · 11/09/2022 10:09

Ok so in summary the argument on the post against the bank holiday for school children seem to be:

Short notice childcare
One day missed education
Teachers are "lazy, don't want to reach and just want a day off" etc
The Queen was not someone of relevance/ significance to that particular poster.

Now whilst on a superficial and simplistic level the passing of the Queen is the death of a 96 year old women who lived a great and wonderful life and will be deeply missed by her immediate family.

At a more in depth and insightful view ,the Queen represented an example to others of continuity, stability, commitment to public service and most important unity (as most of the population liked the Queen).

Unfortunately the country is now in its biggest crisis for decades- the economy is going down the pan with even the optimistic BoE predicting a recession, the country has never been more divided from Brexit to Scottish Independence, the country is still not working properly in the public and private sector post Covid, there is a war in Europe and China seeking global economic domination.

So we have lost the stabilising and unifying influence of the Queen just when we need it most. So turning to the complaints raised:

Short notice childcare - schools are their to educate your children not provide childcare. The world is about to become a whole lot scarier place. Now you can bury head and just accept the consequences or you can do something to help your children's futures by encouraging them on the importance of education and good behaviour at school and maybe educate them yourself.
Perhaps the day of funeral would be a good opportunity to reflect on this.

One day missed education- I think this would be a good opportunity for parents and school children to again reflect on the challenges ahead and the importance of education. Or simply simplistically see it as a day off and accept the future world.

Teachers are "lazy etc" - it may come as a surprise but most teachers entered the teaching profession because they genuinely wanted to teach and help children. But sadly a lack of parental support, lack of funding and disruptive kids makes this ever more difficult. Teachers then naturally do get jaded and disheartened.
Maybe a day off reflecting on perseverance and commitment to service in difficult circumstances would be beneficial to teachers. Or they could simplistically see it as a day off.

The Queen was not of relevance to me - I get the Queen as an individual may not be but the values and example she embodied should most definitely be of relevance to everyone in the coming years . Or you can just be reactive and take the consequences.

CapMarvel · 11/09/2022 11:02

"So we have lost the stabilising and unifying influence of the Queen just when we need it most"

Just utter nonsense. In 2 weeks everyone will have moved on and we'll still be in the shit. If you think the monarchy can help with that regardess of who's arse is on the thrown you are kidding yourself.

"Short notice childcare - schools are their to educate your children not provide childcare."

I'm sorry, but schools provide childcare as well as education. Millions of parents rely on the fact that their kids are in school so they can, y'know, do jobs that contribute to the ecomony, provide services etc. It's one day, granted, but at short notice it's a pain in the tits. That's just a fact of the matter, and many of us don't buy into this idea that the royal family are in any way special or do anything of very much consequence beyond being a tourist attraction.

Twiglets1 · 11/09/2022 11:15

CapMarvel · 11/09/2022 11:02

"So we have lost the stabilising and unifying influence of the Queen just when we need it most"

Just utter nonsense. In 2 weeks everyone will have moved on and we'll still be in the shit. If you think the monarchy can help with that regardess of who's arse is on the thrown you are kidding yourself.

"Short notice childcare - schools are their to educate your children not provide childcare."

I'm sorry, but schools provide childcare as well as education. Millions of parents rely on the fact that their kids are in school so they can, y'know, do jobs that contribute to the ecomony, provide services etc. It's one day, granted, but at short notice it's a pain in the tits. That's just a fact of the matter, and many of us don't buy into this idea that the royal family are in any way special or do anything of very much consequence beyond being a tourist attraction.

It may be a pain in the tits (in your words) but is anyone really to blame? Not the queen for dying in term time, not the teachers for not coming into work on the 19th because their workplace will be shut. Maybe you should blame the monarchy or the government.
You are angry but it's not the teachers fault we have a BH when we do so your anger is misplaced.

FrippEnos · 11/09/2022 11:20

freckles20
That's the difference between me and some of the teachers on here who sound so worn down and bitter. There type of people do themselves and their pupils a disservice.

Yet you do come across as bitter.

CapMarvel · 11/09/2022 11:20

I don't (and haven't, at all) blamed the teachers. I know it's not their fault and I understand that the schools have to close on the 19th.

Doesn't stop it being a pain. Sooner we get rid of this ridiculous notion of holding these people up on a pedestal because of birthright the better.

Twiglets1 · 11/09/2022 11:34

CapMarvel · 11/09/2022 11:20

I don't (and haven't, at all) blamed the teachers. I know it's not their fault and I understand that the schools have to close on the 19th.

Doesn't stop it being a pain. Sooner we get rid of this ridiculous notion of holding these people up on a pedestal because of birthright the better.

I don't disagree with you there

Itstarts · 11/09/2022 12:00

It really doesn't matter whether you are a supporter of the monarchy or not. It is a MAJOR historical event whether you regard it as important or not. It's happening. Deal with it.

eglantine7 · 11/09/2022 12:21

I'm a teacher and I have school children of my own. Day off for ALL makes sense and our community do help out each other when we are stuck. Many of us do not have extended family either.

eglantine7 · 11/09/2022 12:22

Itstarts · 11/09/2022 12:00

It really doesn't matter whether you are a supporter of the monarchy or not. It is a MAJOR historical event whether you regard it as important or not. It's happening. Deal with it.

Agree!

Sporty2022 · 11/09/2022 12:29

Heckythump1 · 11/09/2022 08:59

I thought children were legally meant to have a certain number of school days per year though?

Haven’t heard of that rule before

clarepetal · 11/09/2022 12:33

I work in a school and am glad it's a bank holiday, I want to watch it.

User148563 · 11/09/2022 12:35

I there hadn't have been a bank holiday then there would have been a thread with people squawking about that

denpark · 11/09/2022 13:23

Jennybeans401 · 10/09/2022 13:45

I don't think schools should close either. There would be more meaningful activities in school and the children shouldn't lose any more of their education.

Watching the funeral with my dcs will not be possible.

It's irrelevant what anyone thinks.
It's a Bank Holiday declared by the King and the DfE have stated schools are to be closed.

People on here need to stop whinging and get on with sorting out any childcare they need.

I will personally be at home watching this historic event with my children who I actually enjoy spending time with and don't find an inconvenience unlike so many posters on here.

denpark · 11/09/2022 13:24

Jennybeans401 · 10/09/2022 14:08

Will your dcs actually watch the Queen's funeral? I can imagine my older dc will watch it but the younger ones will be bored after 10 minutes and then me and dh won't be able to watch it.

Maybe you need to set the right example and make it clear that this is something they should watch. Teach respect...

CapMarvel · 11/09/2022 13:29

Itstarts · 11/09/2022 12:00

It really doesn't matter whether you are a supporter of the monarchy or not. It is a MAJOR historical event whether you regard it as important or not. It's happening. Deal with it.

Obviously I will "deal with it".

Doesn't stop me thinking the whole thing is silly.

Abraxan · 11/09/2022 13:44

I can imagine my older dc will watch it but the younger ones will be bored after 10 minutes and then me and dh won't be able to watch it.

If your children are old enough to be affected by school closures then they are old enough to entertain themselves fairly quietly for a period of time, SEND aside.

Itstarts · 11/09/2022 14:10

CapMarvel · 11/09/2022 13:29

Obviously I will "deal with it".

Doesn't stop me thinking the whole thing is silly.

You think history is silly?

freckles20 · 11/09/2022 14:43

FrippEnos · 11/09/2022 11:20

freckles20
That's the difference between me and some of the teachers on here who sound so worn down and bitter. There type of people do themselves and their pupils a disservice.

Yet you do come across as bitter.

Do I?

That's not my intention.

I feel sadness that so many people's work life is tough and offers no happiness. I also feel sad for young people are unlucky enough to be taught by teachers who are frustrated, jaded, and talk about pupils with contempt. Both parties deserve better. The impact of a good teacher stays with a person for life but so does the damaging effect of a poor one.

freckles20 · 11/09/2022 14:44

Apologies for typos in my post. Luckily I'm not a teacher!

Sherrystrull · 11/09/2022 14:48

@freckles20

Your posts are actually highly offensive. Can you not see how the little jibes you put in your post, badly hidden behind faux concern are part of the problem and a reason why teachers are struggling?

Topseyt123 · 11/09/2022 14:48

It is a bank holiday and schools do close on bank holidays. Why wouldn't they?

Shinyandnew1 · 11/09/2022 14:58

freckles20 · 11/09/2022 14:43

Do I?

That's not my intention.

I feel sadness that so many people's work life is tough and offers no happiness. I also feel sad for young people are unlucky enough to be taught by teachers who are frustrated, jaded, and talk about pupils with contempt. Both parties deserve better. The impact of a good teacher stays with a person for life but so does the damaging effect of a poor one.

I see far more posters treating teachers with contempt, to be honest.

IhateHermioneGranger · 11/09/2022 15:01

I don't mind as its a day of historical significance and children should remember it.

rachela93 · 11/09/2022 15:13

It is a bank holiday. Of course schools should close for the day. Its a massive moment in history.