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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU that some children are missing 7 school days due to strikes and others none

229 replies

jazzyfazzy766 · 02/05/2023 17:14

So today my childrens school was closed for strikes for the 7th day, not even partially open. My children have missed 7 full days of school since February. My nieces go to a school 2 miles up the road and they haven't missed one day as they have only closed classes of striking teachers and none of the teachers have striked for the full 7 days as they say it isn't fair on the children.

The local secondary has been closed as well apart to year 11's but the secondary in the next town has been open.

It just seems unfair that some children have missed over a weeks education whilst others haven't.

I understand why teachers are striking and if all schools closed and all children were treated fairly I would find it easier to accept but this just seems so unfair on some children having to miss out. Our school has cancelled 2 school trips as well which probably can't be rescheduled!!!

I found out today as well that in my kids school only a handful of teachers were striking but as teachers don't have to give much notice the Head decided it was better to close to all classes so parents could arrange childcare rather than give very little notice to parents on which classes were closing when the teachers had given their intentions.

If the next three back to back strike days go ahead that means my children will have missed 10 days of school and twice a week at the moment they need to be at school for 745am for catch up lessons because of covid!!

Makes me so cross that SOME children are suffering. It needs to be consistent across the board. This isn't our childrens fault and SOME are being penalised!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
hoeaboutit · 02/05/2023 17:18

What do you propose happens? When teachers unions organise strikes all schools have a blanket closure? Just just to make absolutely sure that no one is getting any more education than your children?

Nordicrain · 02/05/2023 17:20

There's another thread by someone saying it's unfair her DC doesn't have a day off.

Strikes are meant to be disruptive, you surely don't think that if some teachers are stricking they shoould close the whole school to make it fair to yours do you?

But don't worry OP, children are apparently resilient 🙄

Ostryga · 02/05/2023 17:22

I think it’s fab. The better teachers are paid, and the better working conditions, support and the bigger the budgets they have to spend the better our children’s education becomes.

Do you not think 7 days off (most schools set work anyway) is worth your children having a far better education than the one they currently receive? Because I certainly do.

cansu · 02/05/2023 17:25

A strike is disruptive. Teachers do not have to give notice that they will be on strike so the head won't know whether teachers will be in or not. Teachers who are not striking will not cover for those who are nor will TAs or cover supervisors. It is highly likely that the other two unions will join strike action in the near future. There will be more disruption unless the government starts negotiating with the unions. Contact your mp and tell them to get on with reaching a settlement.

Callyem · 02/05/2023 17:27

What do you propose is a more workable solution OP? That ALL schools close even if none of their teachers are in a striking union? Imagine the headlines if that were to happen! Teachers cannot win in this situation. Most are not striking for their individual pay rise but because they are expected to come out of existing budgets that are already stretched to breaking point. Add to this the alarming shortages and one has to question if the Government are trying to actively devalue the education system.

24KaratCucumber · 02/05/2023 17:28

Give all the teachers a raise. And all the NHS staff A raise and tax people earning over £35k an extra 3% to pay for it.
Sorted.

noblegiraffe · 02/05/2023 17:33

There have been 6 strike days so far.

Email your MP, ask them to forward your complaint to Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education.

https://www.writetothem.com/

WriteToThem

WriteToThem is a website which provides an easy way to contact MPs, councillors and other elected representatives.

https://www.writetothem.com/

ThisSingleMama · 02/05/2023 17:33

What's your solution op?

Not fair? Well no, don't suppose you've noticed but life definitely isn't fair

They will survive though

DanceMonster · 02/05/2023 17:35

It’s unfair that only some children are suffering… so you’d prefer all children to suffer?
I have a child who misses a lot of school due to being disabled, with multiple health conditions. That’s not fair either.

noblegiraffe · 02/05/2023 17:36

All state school children are currently suffering due to the inadequate funding of schools and the critical shortage of teachers.

gamerchick · 02/05/2023 17:37

Mine hasn't been off once but he's yr 11. Even if he was we revise at home so it doesn't matter.

Teachers are worth their weight in gold, they deserve a lot more.

DarkForces · 02/05/2023 17:37

24KaratCucumber · 02/05/2023 17:28

Give all the teachers a raise. And all the NHS staff A raise and tax people earning over £35k an extra 3% to pay for it.
Sorted.

Wouldn't the extra tax negate the pay rise as most teachers will be on over £35k if full time?

nofusspot · 02/05/2023 17:37

What do you want them to do? The whole point of a strike is its disruptive. Do you want them to make everyone miss out? That's ridiculous. Set a good example to your children

Hintofreality · 02/05/2023 17:38

We were supposed to have a Parent’s Evening tonight, school let us know late last week that it is cancelled because of the strike and moved to Thursday instead. No thought given to parents who had booked time off work or arranged childcare to attend and know have to try and re jig everything.

noblegiraffe · 02/05/2023 17:38

Hintofreality · 02/05/2023 17:38

We were supposed to have a Parent’s Evening tonight, school let us know late last week that it is cancelled because of the strike and moved to Thursday instead. No thought given to parents who had booked time off work or arranged childcare to attend and know have to try and re jig everything.

Would you rather they cancelled it completely?

DanceMonster · 02/05/2023 17:39

Hintofreality · 02/05/2023 17:38

We were supposed to have a Parent’s Evening tonight, school let us know late last week that it is cancelled because of the strike and moved to Thursday instead. No thought given to parents who had booked time off work or arranged childcare to attend and know have to try and re jig everything.

What would you rather they had done? No point having a parents evening if there are no teachers there, due to being on strike.

WheelsUp · 02/05/2023 17:43

Have you seen the news? The currently striking union are having strikes in June/July.
The unions representing head teachers, support staff and other teaching unions are going to vote for strikes in the autumn.

nofusspot · 02/05/2023 17:43

DanceMonster · 02/05/2023 17:39

What would you rather they had done? No point having a parents evening if there are no teachers there, due to being on strike.

Show quote history

Yeah I mean just don't go to the next one if it bothers you

Hintofreality · 02/05/2023 17:44

noblegiraffe · 02/05/2023 17:38

Would you rather they cancelled it completely?

Show quote history

They may as well as when I logged on to rebook all the appointments (yes we had to rebook them) over 65% of the teachers are unavailable as they can not do the new date as short notice either.

Hintofreality · 02/05/2023 17:46

DanceMonster · 02/05/2023 17:39

What would you rather they had done? No point having a parents evening if there are no teachers there, due to being on strike.

Show quote history

Obviously, but it’s the expectation that parents can just amend commitments and plans at short notice to work around what suits the school.

DanceMonster · 02/05/2023 17:46

Hintofreality · 02/05/2023 17:46

Obviously, but it’s the expectation that parents can just amend commitments and plans at short notice to work around what suits the school.

Show quote history

What would you rather they had done then?

Shinyandnew1 · 02/05/2023 17:49

No English schools have done 7 strikes.

If you are pissed off-write to your MP and ask them to get round the table and talk to the teachers. Where is Gillian Keegan-what is she actually doing?

bigblueyfan · 02/05/2023 17:51

When are the 3 back to back days meant to be?

noblegiraffe · 02/05/2023 17:53

June/July, but specific dates not announced yet.

florenceandthemac · 02/05/2023 17:54

My DS hasn't been off for any strike days.
However, his teacher has had quite a few sickness absences / other absences (both this year and last year, as he's had the same teacher for two years) where he hasn't had adequate cover. Maybe everybody else should have a few days off to make it fair Wink