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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

dapsnotplimsolls · 25/01/2023 19:12

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 25/01/2023 19:00

Your school need to be very careful with this- if they identify a teacher as a member of a particular union to the wider public, they are breaking GDPR.

Also, what about teachers who are unwell on the day?

Show quote history

We've been told that if we're not in a striking union, we have to have a medical certificate if we're ill or we could be sacked.

BogRollBOGOF · 25/01/2023 19:13

In years gone by, it was considered unethical for agencies to offer casual supply on strike days in case it was breaking the strike of a union that was out. I wasn't in that union, we weren't balloted, but I lost the opportunity to earn £££ because of it. It would therefore be unethical to teach my children too.

Not that I'm going to attempt to relive the months of daily meltdowns of autistic DS1, or have DS2 sobbing into my lap again. Educational psycologists that have worked with both children have been utterly unsurprised that "home learning" was a total failure with their profiles. They survived months of inadequate access to education, what's a few more days...

DS2 will be off. Not sure what is happening with DS1 yet as he's now secondary.

Rainbowdrops2021 · 25/01/2023 19:14

@IDugAnotherHole 😂😂😂

MarshaBradyo · 25/01/2023 19:14

Cocobutt · 25/01/2023 19:09

If teachers are on strike why would parents be expected to take their place, how ridiculous.

They’re not.

That’s the point and why the teachers aren’t meant to be setting work.

But I guess so many parents have moaned about the lack of work and ‘impact on their child’s education’ that some schools have been pushed into setting some.

Some must be turning up as not all my dc are home. A level are going in (and waiting to hear re other)

Mangledrake · 25/01/2023 19:32

If you're a union member or support the strike action you shouldn't be facilitating this! It's strike breaking! If the schools can say the strikes aren't causing disruption, work is being set and completed, teachers have no negotiating power.

I would email and say I supported the strike action and therefore did not facilitate DD in doing set work at home.

JustWantedACat · 25/01/2023 19:56

Soakitup37 · 25/01/2023 18:13

That’s the entire point. It needs to make as much mess as possible to show just how important teachers are. They are leaving in their droves, they have TAs covering staff absences and losing money and resources year after year because the government don’t give a fuck.

this is important - we should support them.

* a reminder to everyone they won’t be paid for striking, they will be expected to suck up 4 days loss of pay and then to pick up the pace for their pupils. But the principle is right here and anyone on the fence about supporting this needs to go and look at the shocking stats about teacher leaving rates and stress levels. No action will be catastrophic for schools and the children they teach if something doesn’t change soon. *

Show quote history

I get the principle of it, it's just we are in a cost of living crisis and many many workers will lose a lot of money through taking unpaid leave. Some are just breaking even each month so to lose wages could tip them over the edge.

blahblah33 · 25/01/2023 20:11

I wouldn't worry about your DC being called out for not doing it. That would be totally unreasonable and I can't imagine any of us teachers doing that. Teachers won't even be setting any work for those days let alone checking whether it's been done. There could be so many reasons a child hasn't engaged in the home learning such as not having the resources (computer/internet), not being at home and being cared for by another family member for the day, doesn't understand the work etc. Would be extremely surprised if anyone called her out.

BlackFriday · 25/01/2023 20:22

Are you sure you haven't misunderstood? Home Learning doesn't necessarily mean completing set work but more likely to be "get on with some revision if you want."
Striking teachers should not be setting work or marking anything so I wouldn't worry about it.

BlackFriday · 25/01/2023 20:24

SnakeOiler · 25/01/2023 18:40

Our school have advised what resources are available but said no expectation.

if they did I would tell them where to go.

I live in the area most affected by restrictions during covid and I’ve done my bit.

they can also fuck off when I take them out of school for a holiday this year too.

What do you mean, "the area most affected by restrictions during Covid?"

WineDup · 25/01/2023 20:52

BlackFriday · 25/01/2023 20:24

What do you mean, "the area most affected by restrictions during Covid?"

Show quote history

I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess OP is in one of the areas which had the longest school closures (very possibly central Scotland)

TimeToFlyNow · 25/01/2023 21:10

I'm with the CS who are also striking that day, although our office isn't. There's no way will I be doing any home learning. I'll either be wfh or I'll be on A/L

Sarahcoggles · 25/01/2023 21:12

I'll be at work. My kids are 17 and 13. Hopefully they'll do the work they're set but I won't be there to police it.

MatildaTheCat · 25/01/2023 21:39

Surely a lot of children will be in school as usual on the strike days? By no means all teachers are on strike and the unions won’t have declared exactly who will or won’t be working yet (friend is a union rep in her school).

For all those saying it’s just one day…. have you been watching the news lately? If my child was repeatedly missing yet more schooling I think I’d be looking at how best to support heir learning. It doesn’t have to be a full day of sitting over books but if you have the means to do so why not at least try to help them with something?

Busybody2022 · 25/01/2023 21:43

We haven't been told but I will not be home schooling if closed.

LoveBluey · 25/01/2023 21:59

Mine is just in Y1 so if she is off school I'm going to make the most of the time with her and take her for a fun day out somewhere. No doubt there will be learning opportunities and we'll make sure we do some extra reading but I won't be making her sit at home trying to teach her all day.

catsonahottinroof · 25/01/2023 22:42

Bsically, primary age, definitely let them do what they want, go for a day out, whatever. Secondary, give them the option to do any work set, but it's up to them. Sixth form, it's completely up to them, they shouldn't really be in sixth form if they're not capable of doing work independently.

Eyeofthestorm7 · 25/01/2023 22:54

Take the chance to have a special day out together that they will remember when it’s not as busy as weekends and enjoy the novelty without worrying.

BlackFriday · 26/01/2023 07:29

I'm still surprised at how many people expect teachers to provide work next Wednesday. Isn't that rather like asking a striking train driver to give you a lift to work?

Beezknees · 26/01/2023 07:33

We still haven't heard yet if DS's school will be closed. If there's work set then he'll do it because he's in Year 10 and next year will be GCSEs, he wants to go into veterinary science so he needs to put the work in and get good results. He knows that though so I don't need to nag him.

User1643876 · 26/01/2023 08:29

I would expect an older secondary school pupil to just stay home and get on with any work set, they can also be left home alone, the problem arises with primary school pupils being set work that often needs adults input.

TimeToFlyNow · 26/01/2023 15:09

My year 5 is off and they are sending work packa home

BlackFriday · 26/01/2023 15:16

@TimeToFlyNow but is it their actual teacher who is striking (in which case they absolutely should NOT be sending home anything) or is it that the whole school is closing and those classes whose teachers are not striking need work set?

TimeToFlyNow · 26/01/2023 15:23

BlackFriday · 26/01/2023 15:16

They are still open to a foundation class and one year 2 and one year 3 class.

From the letter all classes that are off are being sent home with a work pack though

OutDamnedSpot · 26/01/2023 15:25

I will be on strike that day.

DS1’s secondary school will be closed, learning online if teacher is available, no lesson if they’re not in.

DS2’s primary school is open as usual.

I won’t be making DS1 do anything (because I really am a striking home teacher!) but will give him the option to.

WineDup · 27/01/2023 14:48

MarshaBradyo · 25/01/2023 19:14

Some must be turning up as not all my dc are home. A level are going in (and waiting to hear re other)

Show quote history

What will likely happen is that they will be taught during the times they are timetabled to a non striking teacher, and they may have loose supervision by senior management during times they would be taught by a teacher who is on strike. Which could potentially be the entire day.

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