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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not go on the residential?

829 replies

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 11/09/2024 23:22

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!

OP posts:
Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 06:32

JMSA · 13/09/2024 01:10

It's just part of the job.
Primary schools I've worked in, the teachers have absolutely loved doing it with their classes.

No. It is not. In any way, shape or form. I do them, but it is not part of my job. It’s a massive favour - and not a very safe one.

FrippEnos · 13/09/2024 06:37

JMSA · 13/09/2024 01:10

It's just part of the job.
Primary schools I've worked in, the teachers have absolutely loved doing it with their classes.

It isn't part of the job, its a nice to have extra, that is done purely on the goodwill of teachers.

PicturePlace · 13/09/2024 06:43

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/09/2024 12:37

@PicturePlace Will you pay my childcare costs for me?!!! Fantastic!!!!

Do you not have a partner?

Werehalfwaythere · 13/09/2024 06:43

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 11/09/2024 23:38

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.

Lots of people work unpaid overtime. And most people don't get 13 weeks PAID holiday.

Doesn't mean you should do it if it's not contractual, but yes, most people bend in jobs. I work unpaid overtime regularly as it's the only way i stay on top of my workload. I also pay for childcare during the school holidays as my annual leave isn't sufficient.

FrippEnos · 13/09/2024 06:45

Werehalfwaythere

Lots of people work unpaid overtime. And most people don't get 13 weeks PAID holiday.

Who gets 13 weeks PAID holiday?
You may want to rethink your facts before you rant.

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 06:46

So much crappy misinformation on this thread! It’s part of the job, it’s part of the curriculum, my dh who is a head would frown upon it (ha! 🤣), you’ll gain time when your children are ill, if you are in Y6 you have to, if you want to ‘progress’, it’s expected, it will have been mentioned at interview, blah dee blah.

Complete and utter bollocks! Don’t know how people dare type such ludicrous codswallop.

Elasticatedtrousers · 13/09/2024 06:49

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 06:46

So much crappy misinformation on this thread! It’s part of the job, it’s part of the curriculum, my dh who is a head would frown upon it (ha! 🤣), you’ll gain time when your children are ill, if you are in Y6 you have to, if you want to ‘progress’, it’s expected, it will have been mentioned at interview, blah dee blah.

Complete and utter bollocks! Don’t know how people dare type such ludicrous codswallop.

YEP. Non trachers claiming they know the school system, including someone in HR which is concerning.

Reading this thread is like watching an episode of Waterloo Road and shouting ‘that’ll never happen’ at the TV! 🤣

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 06:53

Elasticatedtrousers · 13/09/2024 06:49

YEP. Non trachers claiming they know the school system, including someone in HR which is concerning.

Reading this thread is like watching an episode of Waterloo Road and shouting ‘that’ll never happen’ at the TV! 🤣

Edited

The HR one is deeply concerning, agree. The ‘my husband is a headteacher’ is hilarious. My dh teaches A level English but no way would I be posting such total shite on an FE forum. Total cringe 😳

Superhansrantowindsor · 13/09/2024 06:55

13 weeks paid holiday? What is this of which you speak?

Fountofwisdom · 13/09/2024 06:55

Former teacher here. Why are you getting worked up about this at the start of the school year? These residential trips happen in the summer term, so no one will be asked to commit until then. If certain classes/year groups are going, then those tutors/teachers might be encouraged to go, but the school only ever wants to send as many staff as fulfil the staff/student ratio. They don’t want to have to pay for more supply staff than necessary to cover absent staff!

All teachers have a life outside school by the way, you’re not unique just because you have a child. Teachers are not paid extra for school trips, in the same way they are not paid overtime for other things - but a good school might offer a day off in lieu the week you return (or they might not).

If you’re new to the profession, and expecting to be paid every time you do something over and above your timetables lessons, you are going to be very disappointed! Planning, marking, assessing, making resources, attending Parents’ Evenings are all things you’ll have to do.

Remember - teachers get paid over the full 12 months of the year, including generous holidays, which is meant to account for the ‘extra’ stuff you might do in term-time.

Are you one of those teachers who expects to leave on the bell every day and always complains about doing anything extra-curricular? Because that won’t get you very far if you’re looking to advance through the ranks.

Residential school trips are tiring but also very rewarding in my experience and I went on a few. But again, they usually ask for people to volunteer initially so no one is forced to go.

You sound like you haven’t been a teacher for long if you don’t understand how this works. But in that case, ask more experienced colleagues in your school if you’re unsure about stuff - don’t ask Mumsnet because most people here haven’t a clue about Teachers’ Pay & Conditions, which are quite unique to the profession.

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 06:57

They don’t just happen in the summer term, @Fountofwisdom, I’ve been this week. Don’t you start adding to my list!

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 06:58

Remember - teachers get paid over the full 12 months of the year, including generous holidays, which is meant to account for the ‘extra’ stuff you might do in term-time.

Oh my god, more crap - this is horse shit. No way were you a teacher or you wouldn’t be so woefully misinformed.

Fountofwisdom · 13/09/2024 07:00

Superhansrantowindsor · 13/09/2024 06:55

13 weeks paid holiday? What is this of which you speak?

I am a former teacher and it is correct to say that staff get 13 weeks’ paid holiday. Teachers are paid all year round, not just term time. So of course they are paid over the school holidays.

Of course, it’s also true that those holidays are fixed - they can only go on holiday at peak times (as can families with school-age children), and they can’t just book a week off when they want to, but you do realise that when you join the profession.

FrippEnos · 13/09/2024 07:02

Fountofwisdom

Former teacher here.
OK

Why are you getting worked up about this at the start of the school year? These residential trips happen in the summer term, so no one will be asked to commit until then.

The first residential trip at my old school was in the first half term. The idea was for the year 7s to make friends outside of their old groups.

Remember - teachers get paid over the full 12 months of the year, including generous holidays, which is meant to account for the ‘extra’ stuff you might do in term-time.

Where did you get this this from?

Are you one of those teachers who expects to leave on the bell every day and always complains about doing anything extra-curricular? Because that won’t get you very far if you’re looking to advance through the ranks.

Has the OP indicated this anywhere?

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 07:02

They are paid IN the holidays, not FOR the holidays.

How can you not know this?! It’s basic!

FrippEnos · 13/09/2024 07:03

I am a former teacher and it is correct to say that staff get 13 weeks’ paid holiday. Teachers are paid all year round, not just term time. So of course they are paid over the school holidays.

Now you are just digging a hole.

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 07:05

Where did you get this this from?

I could suggest somewhere, would probably get deleted though.

It’s more nonsense.

Maestoso · 13/09/2024 07:05

Do it. Don't do it. Up to you. But the idea that no-one else works unpaid hours is insulting to the rest of the working population. Most office bound people work unpaid hours every day. Not just teachers, who are not special in any way shape or form in working extra over for nothing. It is always threads started by teachers and nurses who run with the narrative they're the only ones that have to work for nothing, never any other profession, and only serves to show how out of touch they are with the rest of the working world. Other professions also have off site residential excursions of one kind or another which they MUST attend and for which they're not paid extra save for travel expenses. It is normal in the working world.

Fortunately, you, as a teacher, can chose whether to go on this trip or not. Lucky you. Now, please stop thinking you're special cos you're a teacher, it only serves to piss off parents who're working just as hard as you without the collective clout of unions who can threaten strike action when things don't go their way or jolly nice pension contributions from the employer (never mentioned when teachers/NHS whinge about pay).

Fountofwisdom · 13/09/2024 07:06

Youthiswastedontheyoung · 12/09/2024 00:26

@Dartmoorcheffy The schools I have worked at in the past when I have been on residentials have had a "no alcohol" policy for staff which I respect and support. I can see why; if there was to an emergency to occur etc...

Not all schools. When I did residentials, as recently as 2022, staff took it in turns to be on duty every evening/overnight, with 2 staff being relieved from duty that night. Those not ‘on duty’ would usually go for a pub meal and maybe a couple of drinks, no more. They certainly couldn’t roll back inebriated, but if it was their night ‘off’ they could have a drink.

I’m talking about big groups (50+ kids), so there would be enough staff to safely be on call overnight whilst 2 had some well-deserved downtime.

FrippEnos · 13/09/2024 07:08

Maestoso · 13/09/2024 07:05

Do it. Don't do it. Up to you. But the idea that no-one else works unpaid hours is insulting to the rest of the working population. Most office bound people work unpaid hours every day. Not just teachers, who are not special in any way shape or form in working extra over for nothing. It is always threads started by teachers and nurses who run with the narrative they're the only ones that have to work for nothing, never any other profession, and only serves to show how out of touch they are with the rest of the working world. Other professions also have off site residential excursions of one kind or another which they MUST attend and for which they're not paid extra save for travel expenses. It is normal in the working world.

Fortunately, you, as a teacher, can chose whether to go on this trip or not. Lucky you. Now, please stop thinking you're special cos you're a teacher, it only serves to piss off parents who're working just as hard as you without the collective clout of unions who can threaten strike action when things don't go their way or jolly nice pension contributions from the employer (never mentioned when teachers/NHS whinge about pay).

You could always leave and get a better job, if what you do stresses you out so much.

At least this the the line fed to teachers.

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 07:09

There is still one lead teacher’s name on the paperwork who has overall responsibility. And those conditions are certainly a million miles away from your average primary residential.

Superhansrantowindsor · 13/09/2024 07:10

Fountofwisdom · 13/09/2024 07:00

I am a former teacher and it is correct to say that staff get 13 weeks’ paid holiday. Teachers are paid all year round, not just term time. So of course they are paid over the school holidays.

Of course, it’s also true that those holidays are fixed - they can only go on holiday at peak times (as can families with school-age children), and they can’t just book a week off when they want to, but you do realise that when you join the profession.

Pay is split over 12 months. That is all. Can’t be arsed repeating what has been posted a million times before. Personally I think the pay is good but holidays are not paid.

Fountofwisdom · 13/09/2024 07:11

FrippEnos · 13/09/2024 07:03

I am a former teacher and it is correct to say that staff get 13 weeks’ paid holiday. Teachers are paid all year round, not just term time. So of course they are paid over the school holidays.

Now you are just digging a hole.

It’s completely correct. Explain what is incorrect about it?!

Funny how some teachers are SO defensive about everything! Teaching is a bloody hard job, that’s why I left in the end, but it’s fairly well paid, has a great pension and you do get 13 weeks away from the classroom over the year. As with all jobs - if you don’t like it, go and do something else!

Jessie3 · 13/09/2024 07:12

Everything is incorrect about it. It’s bollocks.

PicturePlace · 13/09/2024 07:15

You think we apportion responsibility? Fuck that child, not my circus. The lead teacher is responsible for EVERY CHILD.

Do you not have a Staff:Student ratio? It's this kind of over-exaggeration that pisses people off.