To not go on the residential?

[Youthiswastedontheyoung]

I've just started a new p/t teaching role. Towards the end of the academic year the whole year group go on a residential which is about 3.5 hours away, for a full school week.
I have a just-turned 4 yo and other academic commitments outside of school.
AIBU to say I can't attend the residential?
As an aside, my mum (love her) thought teachers got paid for any additional hours regarding this. She was surprised to learn I'd just be getting my standard pay!

I would say that you have child caring responsibilities and are unable to attend which is reasonable.

I gues it depends on whether you knew about this when you took the job.
If you weren't told, then YANBU.
If you WERE told that this was expected then you took the job knowing this and therefore need to make childcare arrangements for the part of the week that you teach.
I'm just a TA and our special school has always done week long residentials and while not compulsory it was expected that you'd go with your class.

Sometimes at my place those that can't go arrange a swap with other staff for their days..is that an option?

It depends what's in your contract I would have thought.

I do know that attendance is not of course compulsory. There is no way it could be unless you signed a clause agreeing to work additional hours free of charge above and beyond your contracted ones.

Did you know it was expected of you?

@StormingNorman No. It cannot "expected" insofar as all staff going on residential ultimately do so on a voluntary basis.
Would you personally work a huge amount of extra hours a day, five days a week, for no pay? Even if you didn't have caring responsibilities?
It is a massive thing to do and I do think so many parents take it completely for granted when teachers give up their time in such a way.

Of course YANBU and the 26% of people who think you are must be having a laugh. It’s completely voluntary, 4YO or not.

@AlisonChains You are pulling my chain, aren't you?!!!!!

So why the thread?

I think if you can go it would buy you some goodwill from colleagues and SMT which is always useful, but it very much depends on whether there are people at home who can step up for your child.

@SaffronsMadAboutMe I suppose to gauge what others think? I suppose I knew that for a lot of parents it is more of an expectation than anything. It's incredulous really what is often expected of teachers.
Would any other profession be expected to work for free the hours we put in?

Not sure if this is some kind of reverse.

But if not, then I'm not sure teaching is the right career for you

@AlisonChains You think we are permitted to drink alcohol of an evening for a start?!
Were you responsible 24/7 for 60 children during these overnights? Not comparable really.

My year 7 residential to Paris as a teacher was spent shepherding them around all day, persuading them to eat without having a food fight then sitting in corridors outside the bedrooms until they were asleep to stop them wrecking other rooms, fighting, having water fights or just mucking around! The teachers were all spread out around the hostel so no socialising with each other - it was often 4 am before we could go to bed!

This took place during half term and I was exhausted when the next term started!

Have you started this thread to slag off parents?

I don't get it.

If you don't want to do it then don't but if parents aren't aware of the ins and outs of a teacher's contract, that's hardly their fault is it?

They're not the ones organising the school trips anyway, so have a word with your SMT if you don't want to go.

@AlisonChains Sitting around chatting?!!! You clearly have no idea what the average primary residential involves!
@Ihateslugs Yes this! They truly are massively exhausting!

@SaffronsMadAboutMe Did.you think teachers are paid to attend residentials? Things like parents' evenings?

@AlisonChains "Doing your bit." Hmmmm.
Genuine question...how many hours would you be prepared to work unpaid in a week in addition to your paid ones?
Apologies - assuming you work?

as a parent yes I would expect my child’s teacher to attend with the relevant year group.

as much as I don’t know the ins and outs of your work contract, I would hazard a guess you don’t know the ins and outs of your parents work contracts! I work for a large organisation including off shore travel….guess what not paid for outside of my contracted hours.

Just say no. You aren't getting paid for it, it puts you under a huge amount of unnecessary stress and creates endless risk assessments. Your first priority is your 4 yo, the only tool the school has is emotional blackmail, just be consistent in saying, 'no.'