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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

School closed for strike - homeschool?

100 replies

imhereforcake · 25/01/2023 16:05

I don't know if I am being unreasonable but here goes

I do support the teachers right to strike and agree with their reasons.

Have 2 children one in primary one in secondary and has ASD

Primary closed to 3 classes and child is in one so is off school

Secondary today emailed to say school closed but they are expected to do home learning at check in points during the day.

My Aibu is I'm not a teacher and I don't need this fight. I have taken a day off work as have no other options and actually want to do something with them and not have the battle I know I will have with secondary school child. She doesn't have an EHCP as she "copes" with school

Do I send an email and say not happening

OP posts:
Minfilia · 25/01/2023 16:17

Why bother emailing? Either do it or don’t.

If you’re off work anyway then there’s nothing stopping you from supervising the work. If she melts down then at that point you can explain the difficulties to the school. They aren’t expecting you to be a teacher!

But I don’t think it would be a good decision to prioritise a fun day out over school when they’ve specifically sent work home for them to do.

Bigbadfish · 25/01/2023 16:19

I would say this is the same as support staff not teaching as it takes away the point of the strike.

We don't even know if our school are closing but I think my kids are.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 25/01/2023 16:19

There is no way I'd be home schooling. I'll either be recovering from an op or WFH for the first 2 strikes.

Original poster
imhereforcake · 25/01/2023 16:21

Minfilia · 25/01/2023 16:17

Why bother emailing? Either do it or don’t.

If you’re off work anyway then there’s nothing stopping you from supervising the work. If she melts down then at that point you can explain the difficulties to the school. They aren’t expecting you to be a teacher!

But I don’t think it would be a good decision to prioritise a fun day out over school when they’ve specifically sent work home for them to do.

I'd email out of courtesy and because she would be horrified if she was called out for not doing it. I don't want to manage a melt down it's bad enough with the last week with the will we won't we be in.

It just seems wrong to not email but I'm not sure what to say

OP posts:
MelchiorsMistress · 25/01/2023 16:23

Be honest, there’s nothing wrong with you treating the strike day like a snow day. School is closed so you will be doing your own thing. You won’t be the only parent that wants to do the same.

Saucery · 25/01/2023 16:25

Say your dd has difficulty with accepting ‘school’ work at ‘home’ and to avoid distressing her (and her being unable to complete the work to the standard she is capable of because of that )she will not be accessing the lessons set on that day.

Original poster
imhereforcake · 25/01/2023 16:26

Saucery · 25/01/2023 16:25

Say your dd has difficulty with accepting ‘school’ work at ‘home’ and to avoid distressing her (and her being unable to complete the work to the standard she is capable of because of that )she will not be accessing the lessons set on that day.

That actually is perfect I will say something like that

OP posts:
RAIS · 25/01/2023 16:28

imhereforcake · 25/01/2023 16:21

I'd email out of courtesy and because she would be horrified if she was called out for not doing it. I don't want to manage a melt down it's bad enough with the last week with the will we won't we be in.

It just seems wrong to not email but I'm not sure what to say

Show quote history

If she will be horrified at the thought of being called out for not doing her work, then she needs to just do her work to the best of her ability.

You don't need to be involved at all for a secondary aged child. The school already know of her needs and capabilities so if it's not done properly then they know why, but she still needs to do it or take the consequences.

mindutopia · 25/01/2023 16:28

School is closed. Most parents will have to balance any supervision of home learning with work and other responsibilities as few parents of secondary school children are SAHP. I think you should tell your dc what the school has asked them to do. At Y7 and up, I would expect them to be able to sort out their own learning for the most part if they were motivated to do it and to be able to log in at appropriate times if they want to. Then they can do it if they want or not.

ArseInTheDogBowl · 25/01/2023 16:29

I support the strikes too, but no way would I be homeschooling my kids!

I work full time, public sector myself, working conditions aren't good for us either. Because of my job, I literally don't have the time/headspace/energy to pick up homeschooling and on principle won't do it.

Dinoboymama · 25/01/2023 16:30

Who is preparing this work, the staff striking should not be as that defeats the point of the strikes.

In Scotland our schools closed no work was expected for the kids. We have had 4 strike days so far with more planned.

edwinbear · 25/01/2023 16:31

I'd not be doing that. I mean if the teachers are striking, that doesn't mean you're supposed to take on their work for them are you?

cadburyegg · 25/01/2023 16:32

I support the strikes 100% but I'm definitely not homeschooling

SafeMove · 25/01/2023 16:34

No way I can do any homeschooling or even supervision of my secondary age DC as I will be recovering from a hysterectomy and will only be out of hospital the day before. I am not fit to work so won't be fit to cajole and constantly guide DS2 through his online learning. I know this is what he needs as experienced it in lockdown and daily with his homework and his teachers say he is exactly the same in class as his attention is awful. It's a hard no from me.

BordoisAgain · 25/01/2023 16:37

cadburyegg · 25/01/2023 16:32

I support the strikes 100% but I'm definitely not homeschooling

Same

I'm a little concerned at the thought that a lot of schools won't know until the day itself whether they will open. Surely this is a safeguarding issue?

Spotsstripes · 25/01/2023 16:45

I also support these strikes. The whole point of strikes is to cause disruption as this will do so. Dcs secondary school have said no work will be set as teachers on strike can't set work for that day and therefore have advised all students to use this time to revise, catchup on homework, do any project work, read, but have said they can only advise due to it being strike action. They've also implied that we should be prepared for the other 3 days to be the same scenario.
I wonder what the unions are advising teachers to do maybe that will help guide you?

Flamingogirl08 · 25/01/2023 16:48

Just don't do it. I can't see many kids doing it. Let them have a free day

DoYouRememberTheInnMiranda · 25/01/2023 16:49

If I'm taking the day off to be able to offer lunch, some outdoor exercise etc for my kids, there's no way I'm wasting a prescious day of annual leave on homeschooling. Obviously lockdown was different, as it was months and months, but for one day... If the teachers don't think it's important enough for my kids to learn at their desks that day, then I'm happy to agree and take them out for a day of experience based learning instead, like at a farm or zoo or something.

Fleabigg · 25/01/2023 16:50

I support the right to strike but am I shite home schooling when the school is closed. I get 22.5 days annual leave per year and don’t have enough left to take time off. So unfortunately my child will be spending the strike days playing and watching tv while I attempt to work from home with her around, like the worst parts of lockdown.

IDugAnotherHole · 25/01/2023 16:54

Just tell them that as a homeschool teacher, you've also voted to strike

QueenWenceslas · 25/01/2023 16:59

We have yet to received confirmation of whether or not our school will be open but I’m sure as shit not doing any homeschooling. I’m lucky that I can WFH so disruption to me will be minimal but my kids will be spending the day in front if the tv while I’m working if the school is closed.

cherryblossomsinkyoto · 25/01/2023 17:01

Im planning a night away for our family in a nice hotel for one of the strike days. I don’t see the issue with enjoying it. Got to get some benefit out of it

cherryblossomsinkyoto · 25/01/2023 17:02

What I mean is no way will I be homeschooling

Holly60 · 25/01/2023 17:06

edwinbear · 25/01/2023 16:31

I'd not be doing that. I mean if the teachers are striking, that doesn't mean you're supposed to take on their work for them are you?

Supporting your own secondary school age child to access work set for them on a school portal (in any way they might need) is not 'doing a teacher's job for them'. It's just called parenting.

Original poster
imhereforcake · 25/01/2023 17:11

IDugAnotherHole · 25/01/2023 16:54

Just tell them that as a homeschool teacher, you've also voted to strike

I wish I was brave enough Blush

OP posts: