To refuse to have lunch in the classroom

[thismummyslife]

I’m a teacher, I’ve been told that there is not enough cover for my class during lunchtimes so the expectation is for myself to sit with the children whilst they play (early years) and eat dinner, not being allowed to leave the classroom. No other teachers are expect to do this. It’s hard to rock the boat but I’m honestly fuming about it! Should I go to the union about this? I’m worried about causing friction between myself and management!

If you are expected to be in work for more than 6 hours you are entitled to a minimum 20 minute break. Your salary is calculated on this break being unpaid. They are not allowed to dictate what you do during your unpaid break and they are not allowed to deny you a break. SLT have clearly picked you because you seem like the most compliant people-pleaser who is least likely to rock the boat. This is what unions are for - if every teacher says "nope" then it cannot happen. Obviously with budgets being squeezed it's difficult but they need a system that allows every staff member a break. That may involve hiring additional lunchtime staff or may involve a rota where across the time from 12:20 to 14:00 each staff member has 20 minutes for their actual break and 1h20 minutes where they may be asked to supervise some of the children who are normally supervised by someone who is on a break. Of course it would be EASIER to just make the junior staff members work solidly all day without a break but that's illegal, and the reason why management positions get paid more is because they are supposed to be capable of solving challenges like this without breaking the law.

But how do you go to the bathroom if you are not allowed to leave at all between those times?

Absolutely not.
Push back.
Completely unreasonable.

Hr here, totally agree with teacher and union representative. Scandalous. Advise SMT they can provide cover if they wish to.

Poor advice. Is entitled to the timetabled lunch break.

Yes I know, I'm a teacher and work in a school where SLT cover lunches rather than asking teachers to. I think you misread my post because I was suggesting she didn't cover.

Thank you for that! Just to clarify, the children have lunch in the hall and I watch, and whilst they are on continuous provision in class afterwards, I sit at one of the in class and eat lunch so they aren’t eating whilst I am.

Ah yes, I read it as a "I bet SLT don't do lunchtimes because they know lunchtime is protected" kind of way.

Just curious why you are even debating this. Just say no you prefer to get some fresh air in your unpaid break.
Schools aren’t exempt from employment law.
All this be kind nonsense you need to be kind to your own wellbeing.
It’s your manager’s issue to sort eg perhaps one of SLT can cover.

What other staff are there while the children eat? It would be reasonable (though not nice for you) for you to have your lunchtime while the children eat, and be back in class for continuous provision. It's not something I'd want EYFS teachers to do, but in terms of contract it would be reasonable.

Totally inappropriate to expect you to take a break with the small children there. How does it work with life admin eg you on phone booking a smear or to bank. Shush I’m on the phone. Or if you are watching something on phone on instagram/tik tok.

I’d be worried about accidents, disagreements and problems with the toys, computers etc.
The children are not old enough to recognise that you are not ‘on duty’ as you are in teaching time, and I doubt you’d get time to have your lunch. Also, you wouldn’t normally have a hot drink in class with children there, would you. As for the toilet! The situation is an absolute no no.

Ask SLT to show you the breakdown of your directed time which you should have seen at the start of the school year.

As do I in my primary school, but your suggestion directly undermines hard fought for and hard won rights.

Appalling is it?
Most primary teachers find it tricky to nip to toilet. Most have to wait until lunchtime and that’a after attending to million other things that are a priority over a toilet break. No one understands the complexity of the job until they have worked/actively volunteered alongside a classroom teacher. Same applies to TAs. These people put their heart and souls into the profession and get paid less than minimum wage when you add up all the extra hours they put into getting jobs done before and after school. DfE takes the goodwill of teachers for granted. Without their goodwill nothing will get done. No other profession does this.

Excellent, then SLT can cover this requirement while OP has a proper lunch break.

YAabsolutelyNBU! Interested to know who the 3% are though - is that you SLT?