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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not send my children to school on the strike days?

191 replies

mumoffourminimes · 25/01/2023 21:55

(Primary) school have said they will open on the strike days with TAs in classrooms instead of teachers and they will not be covering the national curriculum (fair enough). But do I have to send the children in under these circumstances?

Is it even safe to have a school full of children and half the number of adults?

I'm especially thinking of the younger years, unfortunately there have been some violent incidents in both yr1 and reception classes and there are some kids that really need the supervision.

I don't want to send my children in for babysitting services, i'm at home on maternity leave so I don't need that, lucky I know. So AIBU not to send them?

OP posts:
User13805623 · 26/01/2023 18:21

I'm now looking to see if we can book a holiday to fit in with these strike days, I'm sure we won't be the only ones, there are two together in March

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 18:52

I think I've accidentally opened a mn can of worms.

I've had a reply that I've interpreted as saying attendance is compulsory if there's a teacher there and she does know if they will or won't be a teacher so send them anyway 😒

I think I need a more nuanced chat with her.

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 18:54

Doesn't *

Doesn't know

Trying to type whilst bf baby 🤦‍♀️

Meanwhile the class chat group is up in arms that I suggested I might not be comfortable sending them in with only TAs for supervision 😶

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 18:55

User13805623 · 26/01/2023 18:21

I'm now looking to see if we can book a holiday to fit in with these strike days, I'm sure we won't be the only ones, there are two together in March

This is an excellent plan. I wish I could!

OP posts:
FourTeaFallOut · 26/01/2023 19:00

mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 18:54

Doesn't *

Doesn't know

Trying to type whilst bf baby 🤦‍♀️

Meanwhile the class chat group is up in arms that I suggested I might not be comfortable sending them in with only TAs for supervision 😶

Well, what did you expect? People aren't going to thank you for sticking your nose up at a situation that they have no choice but to endure.

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:02

Everyone has a choice @FourTeaFallOut

I'm only interested in what's best for my own children, I'm not interested in other parents choices

OP posts:
FourTeaFallOut · 26/01/2023 19:06

Well, no, many people won't have a choice

And if you were only interested in your own children then you could have quietly got on with your own plan rather than attempting to garner favour and applause by broadcasting your stance. I hope you didn't lead with scabs.

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:08

FourTeaFallOut · 26/01/2023 19:06

Well, no, many people won't have a choice

And if you were only interested in your own children then you could have quietly got on with your own plan rather than attempting to garner favour and applause by broadcasting your stance. I hope you didn't lead with scabs.

Yes it's a choice, everyone has choice and this one, for me, has nothing to do with opinion on the strikes.

OP posts:
SEND2022 · 26/01/2023 19:11

Our school is closed except for vulnerable children and critical workers. We need to fill in a form to request a place.

Both of mine are considered vulnerable. I have no idea what decision to make.

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:13

SEND2022 · 26/01/2023 19:11

Our school is closed except for vulnerable children and critical workers. We need to fill in a form to request a place.

Both of mine are considered vulnerable. I have no idea what decision to make.

If you need the space then send them. It sounds like your HT is being more sensible in ours!

OP posts:
FourTeaFallOut · 26/01/2023 19:15

So, you don't think families - in a financial climate which is incredibly squeezed - might have to swallow a sub-optimal schooling situation in order to keep the money coming into the home? That might hit your threshold for choice but I expect the parents you have pissed off disagree.

Eyerollcentral · 26/01/2023 19:34

mumoffourminimes · 25/01/2023 22:09

Okay 🤣

So I'm not going to be calling anyone who does send their children (some just absolutely need to) "a scab"

It's not the 80s

Show quote history

They are still breaking a picket line 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:39

I just really hate how divisive strikes are @Eyerollcentral

...and, from what I understand, unless they are members of a union that has voted to strike then they aren't "scabs" anyway. So none of the children or parents can be scabs in this scenario.

OP posts:
Eyerollcentral · 26/01/2023 19:46

mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:39

I just really hate how divisive strikes are @Eyerollcentral

...and, from what I understand, unless they are members of a union that has voted to strike then they aren't "scabs" anyway. So none of the children or parents can be scabs in this scenario.

I didn’t say scabs. I said that would be crossing a picket line. If you are crossing a picket line you are not standing in solidarity with striking workers. Do you find the inequality in society so divisive? There is minor inconvenience for you here. People are losing wages to go on strike. Most people are workers regardless of their occupation or profession and should bear that in mind when considering undermining strike action.

FourTeaFallOut · 26/01/2023 19:49

No, I won't be standing in solidarity. I'll be sending in my y11 student, which the school has made provision for sensibly, given the proximity to the exams. It's almost as if some nuance will be required.

Eyerollcentral · 26/01/2023 19:55

FourTeaFallOut · 26/01/2023 19:49

No, I won't be standing in solidarity. I'll be sending in my y11 student, which the school has made provision for sensibly, given the proximity to the exams. It's almost as if some nuance will be required.

That’s your decision. The OP said she was in support of the strikes. You can’t support strikers and cross picket lines

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:58

@Eyerollcentral it's not inconvenient for me personally (refer to my op).

and currently I don't even know if there will be anyone striking to show solidarity to...so that's irrelevant currently.

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 20:01

Gah @Eyerollcentral

The question was AIBU to not send them. I don't want to send them, I don't need to send them. The HT is now saying I have to send them.

I'm not a member of a union and it seems I have no legal basis for keeping them off regardless of whether I want to support the strikers (if there are any) or not

OP posts:
Eyerollcentral · 26/01/2023 20:02

mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 19:58

@Eyerollcentral it's not inconvenient for me personally (refer to my op).

and currently I don't even know if there will be anyone striking to show solidarity to...so that's irrelevant currently.

There will be workers on a picket line at a place where a strike is taking place. Beyond that by sending your child to school you are undermining the teachers’ industrial action and adding to the exploitation of already vulnerable workers - TAs - whom management are pressurising to provide assistance. If you don’t support the strikes, you don’t support them. Don’t say you do support them and then cross a picket line.

Eyerollcentral · 26/01/2023 20:04

mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 20:01

Gah @Eyerollcentral

The question was AIBU to not send them. I don't want to send them, I don't need to send them. The HT is now saying I have to send them.

I'm not a member of a union and it seems I have no legal basis for keeping them off regardless of whether I want to support the strikers (if there are any) or not

You do not have to be a member of the union? Bizarre. The headteacher is trying to undermine the striking workers by telling parents to send children in to school. Again there are strikers because teachers are on strike!!!

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 20:05

Okay, okay, I don't support them enough to either break the law.

It would be good if unions could advise those unable to strike and parents how best they can support. Is there anything like that?

OP posts:
Eyerollcentral · 26/01/2023 20:06

mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 20:05

Okay, okay, I don't support them enough to either break the law.

It would be good if unions could advise those unable to strike and parents how best they can support. Is there anything like that?

Break the law? It’s an unauthorised absence ffs

Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 20:07

Yes you have to be part of a union and one that has voted to strike in order to legally strike.

OP posts:
Original poster
mumoffourminimes · 26/01/2023 20:08

The HT has sent legal stuff

OP posts:
Hickerychickery · 26/01/2023 20:10

I agreed with the strikes.

The problem is that some people really need to go to work. There has been too much disruption to other vital services such as healthcare.

so ideally those who could keep their children at home would as you suggest op. If you can’t because vitally need to work, send them in with a TA to cover.
I don’t think people with vital jobs sending their children in should be viewed as scabs. The last thing we need is more ambulance delays, cancelled operations, cancelled trains etc because these parents don’t have childcare for school hours…..