A bad mummy re child starting school :(

[Hellodarknessmyfriend]

My little one is due to start school in September. We have been given a list of 11 days relating to the transition in; stay and plays, meet the staff, home visit, staggered start times etc.
The issue is they are all (naturally) over the course of a school day and I am primary teacher.
Literally the only one I can attend is an evening Welcome Meeting.
This makes me looks like a rubbish parent, doesn't it?

You might want to read the thread or at least the OP's posts.

Very much down to the school. My dad died. I was called one day as no one could get in touch with him and I had a key. I left half way through the day and entered his house to find he had passed away. I called school to say I wouldn’t be back for a while. I got a lovely response from the Deputy head saying how sorry she was etc and that I could take as much time as I like however 2 days paid would be all I’d get and any more would be unpaid or I’d have to ask the GP to sign me off. I did.

I’ve attended funerals unpaid - close relatives or friends. I’ve attended my child’s nativity unpaid. I’ve attended job interviews outside of teaching and had to take them unpaid. In 10 years I’ve managed not to be needed to look after my own children sick. They’re always sick over holidays. However this year my youngest had a D&D so I stayed home with her the 2 required days as no one else could take her. One day paid and one unpaid. My graduation unpaid. My child having appointments with cahms - unpaid. I always schedule GP or dentist etc outside of school but some paediatric clinics don’t run outside of school hours. I recently was sent an appointment with a paediatrician for my child and I’ve had to request to change it as it’s a phone call scheduled to be at 2pm but I need to be available to take it between 1-3pm when I’m in the classroom. Not allowed phones in class and the paediatrician will cal my mobile not my work. So basically I’ve decided to try and reschedule rather than lose half a day pay. Oh and I had to leave half an hour early one day to collect my child from a school trip and they docked me 30 minutes wage.

So whilst yes there are schools who are flexible and pay staff if for occasional days it’s any necessarily the norm. I e worked in several schools (academies and LA) that have had similar rules. I’ve taught in classrooms where I’ve been the only member of staff and also classrooms where I’ve had several TAs (special). I’ve had to send a note to another class where they have had a TA on the rare occasion I’ve needed a brief 5-10 minute cover so I can use the toilet urgently.

I think all these meetings are crazy. There is no way I can do them either, I work!