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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be put off this school by these things

14 replies

Nooriginalusernameidea · 30/09/2022 11:25

It's only a supply job luckily in a school.
There's absolutely no phone network or wifi in the school, and you can't have your phone on you in working hours. The school is also in a remote area and it's a 30 min lunch break, by the time you arrive at the nearest café or shop it's time to come back.
So I sit on a bench outside to have my lunch, which is already getting a bit cold and certainly will be in winter.
The next thing is that a few days ago there was an issue with water pipes so children were all sent home as no running water. However staff had to stay on site but were not permitted to use the toilets for over 3 hours until they eventually said we could but we couldn't wash our hands. I get it was out of their hands but surely it's illegal to insist people stay on site but not provide toilet facilities? The children had all gone after 2 hours as well. Anyway it's just making me think twice about this school.

OP posts:
Sherrystrull · 30/09/2022 11:51

Why don't you sit in the staffroom and take a packed lunch?

ComtesseDeSpair · 30/09/2022 11:57

It doesn’t sound like the right workplace for you, and that’s okay. But the toilets incident was presumably a one off emergency and could have happened anywhere - and when you’re working with children you’re always going to have to stay on site until they’ve all been collected before you can leave, I’m not sure you can claim they were “illegally” making you stay.

VickyEadieofThigh · 30/09/2022 11:58

Sherrystrull · 30/09/2022 11:51

Why don't you sit in the staffroom and take a packed lunch?

Indeed.

ApolloandDaphne · 30/09/2022 12:01

Is there no staff room?

savoycabbage · 30/09/2022 12:03

I do supply and the good thing about it is you don't have to go if you don't like it.

I've never gone out at lunchtime, lots of schools Only have half an hour for lunch. It's becoming more and more common and twenty minutes is the legal minimum.

Some schools don't let you have your phone. I've left mine unlocked in the office if I was having a day when I thought I might get an important message. And you can go and use it in the office at lunchtime if you need to.

There are loads of jobs you can't have your phone with you. An alternative is to get a non-smart phone.

The water thing sounds like one of those things that just have to be dealt with. I'd have rather stayed with no children than go home and not be paid!

shivawn · 30/09/2022 12:04

I get a 30 minute lunch and can't leave the premises. Just bring lunch with you, it's not that uncommon. I also don't think it's uncommon in a lot of jobs to not have your phone while working.

Fink · 30/09/2022 12:18

If you don't like the school, you don't have to stay, that's the upside of supply. But I've never worked in a school where it was normal to go out for lunch, you either in the staffroom or in your classroom (if you have one). And no phones is fairly common too. And a 30 minute lunch break isn't unheard of. Luckily, as supply, you're unlikely to have much to do during lunch - the worst is a short lunch break where you have to run around collecting photocopying, supervising detentions, or on lunch duty for most of it.

The toilet thing was rubbish, but I've worked in schools where they expect staff to stay even when kids are sent home, e.g. on a strike day. I'm not sure whether staying there without toilets is legal, but assuming it's a one-off event I don't think that alone would put me off the school for good. Completely up to you though.

unfortunateevents · 30/09/2022 12:25

You sound like you are looking for reasons not to like this school! If the school is remote the reception/wifi problems may not even be related to the building but the general area. Also why do you need to leave to get lunch? Who goes out every day to buy lunch in 30 mins - most people bring lunch with them! And why are you sitting outside? Surely there is some inside space where you can eat? Or are you trying to avoid your colleagues?!

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 30/09/2022 13:02

How much do you need your phone while working or dashing to the shop?
The toilet situation wasn't great, but presumably a once off, which could happen in any job.

Don't go if you don't want to. But maybe bring a packed lunch if you do.

2bazookas · 30/09/2022 13:41

Your very first sentence undermines any claim to be a qualified teacher.

As does the rest of the post.

Cocokitty · 30/09/2022 13:47

2bazookas · 30/09/2022 13:41

Your very first sentence undermines any claim to be a qualified teacher.

As does the rest of the post.

Might not be a teacher. They didn't say they were. Might be a TA doing supply.

Kite22 · 30/09/2022 14:00

Fink · 30/09/2022 12:18

If you don't like the school, you don't have to stay, that's the upside of supply. But I've never worked in a school where it was normal to go out for lunch, you either in the staffroom or in your classroom (if you have one). And no phones is fairly common too. And a 30 minute lunch break isn't unheard of. Luckily, as supply, you're unlikely to have much to do during lunch - the worst is a short lunch break where you have to run around collecting photocopying, supervising detentions, or on lunch duty for most of it.

The toilet thing was rubbish, but I've worked in schools where they expect staff to stay even when kids are sent home, e.g. on a strike day. I'm not sure whether staying there without toilets is legal, but assuming it's a one-off event I don't think that alone would put me off the school for good. Completely up to you though.

All of this.

Seems you might have odd expectations of working in a school rather than this school being strange in any way.

Notjusta · 30/09/2022 14:02

How can any school not have wifi?

WallaceinAnderland · 30/09/2022 14:03

No phones during working day and 30 minute lunch in staff room class room is normal for schools.

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