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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
FacebookPhotos · 10/09/2022 11:34

I’m glad schools are closed. It is an historically significant event. Many children won’t care or want to watch so they get an extra day off. Those who are interested can watch and probably learn a lot.

OneFrenchEgg · 10/09/2022 11:34

Well I agree with op. I get that we have to because of the whole monarchy pomp stuff but their relevance to my life is zero and I'd rather not miss my hospital appointment and wait months to have it rescheduled. And miss a days pay (zero hours contract).

Abraxan · 10/09/2022 11:34

the80sweregreat · 10/09/2022 11:23

It's one day , maybe the schools can swap around an inset day to make up for it.
I think some people would have pulled their children out anyway to be honest ( not everyone, but many would )

You do know that inset days aren't a day off for the teaching and school staff, yes? It's part of our directed hours.

If it's a bank holiday - which had now been announced - then schools will close, along with everyone else.

Teachers and other school staff are as entitled to the bank holiday as much anyone else is. So no, you can't just swap it for an inset day! Besides out inset days are already planned, some with outside agencies booked to attend as part of our training and cpd. If we swapped it for an INSET we'd simply take the day at another time this year!

Those that are entitled to have a bank holiday off work, but it falls on a working day which can't be changed, will be entitled to a day off at another time - like with the Jubilee bank holiday.

And I'd prepare yourself now - next year we will likely get another extra bank holiday - for the coronation. So likely schools will be off again for a day, along with everyone else who is entitled to bank holidays as part of their employment contract.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 10/09/2022 11:35

I do hope it's the Monday. I'll be able to reschedule a huge meeting that I really need more time to prepare for as it's been so full on at work.

bellsbuss · 10/09/2022 11:35

They were always going to close the schools for her funeral , I'm surprised anyone thought otherwise. It's the right decision, they will be closed for the coronation too which is also the right decision.

Abraxan · 10/09/2022 11:36

the80sweregreat · 10/09/2022 11:30

I know Inset days are not holidays , but once our school had a ' well being ' day off years ago
They called it an inset day ..

And those teachers would have had to do those hours, as directed time, elsewhere.

There is one inset a year we don't go in. However, that time is then done as 2-3 twilight sessions for a few hours after school at another time. This was done mainly due to training and cpd needs.

neverbeenskiing · 10/09/2022 11:37

Having your kids home isn't likely going to make it easier to watch though is it? - i can understand the sentiment behind it but the schools could have put screens up in the hall to watch it and spent the day learning about the queen etc and her legacy - there are more fitting ways to spend the day than closing

What you're describing it's babysitting, not education. You want school staff to be forced to come into work on a bank holiday so people can watch the Queens funeral without their DC disturbing them.

Curta · 10/09/2022 11:37

the80sweregreat · 10/09/2022 11:30

I know Inset days are not holidays , but once our school had a ' well being ' day off years ago
They called it an inset day ..

The work will already have been done when convenient to the school leaders.

A number of two-three hour 'twilight' sessions after normal working hours soon adds up to the day off in lieu.

The year there were no exams and teachers were tasked with setting, marking and moderating marking GCSE assessments, they were directed to do this in departments after the core teaching day, holding each other to account and generating centre assessed grades. This obviously needed doing and submitting by a deadline, so the originally planned INSET days wouldn't have been any good. Hours of time was given up and a day left free in return.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 10/09/2022 11:37

Definitely this! Mine are 6 and 4, there's no way we're going to be able to watch it in peace!

Unfortunately, part of the territory that goes with having young kids is that you have to miss out on some big things; but children up to 10 years older than yours go to school too, and will either be interested or otherwise able to occupy themselves whilst their parents watch.

fizzypop100 · 10/09/2022 11:38

Guessing this is going to be Monday 19th?

ladydoris · 10/09/2022 11:38

This is a massive event. Sorry OP. It has to be marked accordingly. 70 years of service. All my respect.

whynotwhatknot · 10/09/2022 11:40

i thought the queen never wanted a bh for her funeral maybe im wrong

doesnt help when some people still have to work

jumpbounce · 10/09/2022 11:40

Oh yes. Parents want to watch the funeral. So do I. Yet they cannot manage to watch it with one 5 year old present but expect school staff to be able to watch it with 30 5 year olds 🙄

It is one day, plenty of parents take children out of school for holidays, weddings and all manner of events for various days throughout the school year.

Hairybaker · 10/09/2022 11:41

Monday 19th is confirmed (but hasn’t yet been publicised). I believed announcement will be later today.

StripeyDeckchair · 10/09/2022 11:42

The day of HMQs funeral will be a bank holiday.
This will enable everyone (who wants to) to watch the funeral as it happens, after 70+ years of service it is the least we can do as a final farewell & thanks.

One day will not make that much difference to students.

These are historic times, we are living through and witnessing, the end of an era.

You are being V unreasonable to suggest schools should be open.

neverbeenskiing · 10/09/2022 11:42

Definitely this! Mine are 6 and 4, there's no way we're going to be able to watch it in peace!

I'm afraid that's a 'you' problem, not a school problem.

FuzzyAndBlue · 10/09/2022 11:43

schools could have put screens up in the hall to watch it and spent the day learning about the queen etc and her legacy

icelolly12 · 10/09/2022 11:44

It's one day.

SheepOnTheBridge · 10/09/2022 11:44

So workers in schools can’t have the day off to watch the funeral because little Jonny will have to stay home ! Yet other businesses can be closed and you have no issue with that.

zingally · 10/09/2022 11:44

Not sure they're going to change their minds just for you OP!

Personally, I'm pleased it's a day off. I shall be watching (and encouraging my children to watch odd bits as well), as it's a day of historical interest and an extremely rare event.

FuzzyAndBlue · 10/09/2022 11:44

schools could have put screens up in the hall to watch it and spent the day learning about the queen etc and her legacy
Have you got any screens you can lend me?

I can just imagine the fuss some parents would make when their child got upset by watching a funeral at school.

focuspocus · 10/09/2022 11:44

I don't think uabu to not want it whether we get it or not. I'm not a royalist but equally don't have anything against most of the royal family and really liked the Queen.

She was involved in the planning but was acutely aware of her duty and position and the expectations that come with it in making arrangements.

Abraxan · 10/09/2022 11:45

toooldtodate · 10/09/2022 11:22

Having your kids home isn't likely going to make it easier to watch though is it? - i can understand the sentiment behind it but the schools could have put screens up in the hall to watch it and spent the day learning about the queen etc and her legacy - there are more fitting ways to spend the day than closing

You want to watch it in peace, it seems, without your child distracting you.

But you want other adults, who may also want to watch it in peace, to watch it whilst trying to keep 30+ (or hundreds if done in the hall) children supervised and educate aged at the same time?

Do you not see the hypocrisy in that?

LampLighter414 · 10/09/2022 11:45

Bank holiday?! I’ll be down the local spoons (assuming they do the right thing by staying open)

the80sweregreat · 10/09/2022 11:46

Most parents I know wouldn't be happy having their children watching a funeral at school
At least at home you can make a decision about it yourself.
I know it's not ideal though