AIBU to think school closures ignore parents' work commitments?

[OhNoItsThePinkyPonk]

AIBU to think that the school doesn’t take much account of parents’ need to work? Primary school have just announced they won’t be opening for the rest of the week, but it’s OK because they’ll be sending us online work for us to do with the children, and whilst they are sorry they have had to cancel sports day we shouldn’t be too upset because they’ve have rescheduled it for a couple of weeks time. Like, I totally get they have to put the safety of the children first and if it’s too hot it’s too hot, but what do they think I’m
doing when the kids are at school, preparing beautiful dinners, ensuring the craft box is topped up, pining wistfully for the moment they come home? FFS, my job obviously comes second to my children and of course I’ll cancel planned surgeries and clinics where I need to. It’s not the emergency that bothers me, it’s the blasé way in which it’s communicated as though it’s a
minor inconvenience, not a major major f’ing headache with serious second and third order effects.

phew, that’s better. Now to go and get the little darlings…

Totally agree and this country’s inability to deal with hot or cold weather is fucking ludicrous and needs fixing.

All over Europe they’re doing the same or closing early. It’s unprecedented hot weather, they have to look out for the children, but yes I’m screwed every time they randomly close the school!

Can you do a swap with other parents and have their DC for a day and vice versa?

I applaud the teachers for giving us some impromptu time off to enjoy the weather

Safeguarding trumps convenience.

i know it's hard but heatstroke in kids is really terrifying if their building isn't air conditioned.

I totally get they have to put the safety of the children first and if it’s too hot it’s too hot.

This is it though, isn't it?

They are not ignoring work commitments, they just think that your child's wellbeing is more important.

This almost never happens so if it does then I think it's safe to say that it's necessary.

I think they should at least ensure keyworker parents are not impacted as that has wider consequences overall and we need to keep the country running!

I can see it's difficult for schools/staff/children particularly in buildings which have not been designed for the hotter climate and I assume lack of funds for additional fans / misters / reflective blinds.

The govt response that children are best off in school where they're learning or whatever is bonkers, as younger children in particular are going to struggle to concentrate.

My sons school haven't announced any measures so far, in Northern England.

Schools will be criticised for staying open and for closing. They really can't win.

I have one child going to an induction day at her nee secondary school tomorrow. They have AC in most classrooms so guess what? They are still open! The other schools, including dcs', are closing early because they don't have sufficient AC. There is an answer to this problem but unfortunately it needs funding. AC is one issue and indoor space for secondary schools in general is another. A lot of secondary schools have to keep children outside during break and lunch as there isn't enough space and supervision indoors.

The problem is, it would be very expensive are rarely needed. For example, there have been fewer than 10 days in the last 5 years where temps have exceeded 35 degrees. Obviously it's possible to plan for such temperatures but I don't think it's particularly surprising it hasn't felt like a priority given the infrequency of the problem.

I do understand the frustration but I think it's less about not realising it will impact people and more about making it clear that complaints would be fruitless.

Emailing that you're terribly sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate this is likely to cause issues is more likely to result in complaints than a blasé message. Over apologising suggests the school is at fault and the decision can be challenged. (kind of like when you thank people for waiting rather than apologising for being late 🤷‍♀️).

School isn't set up to be childcare. The issue is that we lots of us don't have the same casual options our parents/grandparents had (family help, a sahm, leaving young children home alone... not that I'd want to go back to that as an option!). And more formal out of school childcare provisions are still patchy and not helpful in an emergency. I'm not sure what the answer is really.

School isn’t childcare. If they feel they can’t safely stay open then that’s an end to it.

You will have to take leave.

School are considering the safety of the children and the staff and whether it is possible to continue providing education.

Your work commitments don't factor in.

You need to take your complaints about work to the government - it's their responsibility to ensure school buildings are fit for purpose.

They are quite right to close, that’s not my point, it’s the fact they deliver the message with the same tone as if they were reminding me to pack a coat tomorrow. It would be nice if they gave even a hint of recognition that this is unbelievably disrupting. So yes, I am being precious because the end result is the same, but having just had the email I felt compelled to get it off my chest. Therapeutic MNing.

Our London prep school is staying open with after school care too. No AC, just a few sports fixtures are cancelled and some timetable tweaks. I think they generally see parents as customers and try to make things convenient for working parents.

I came on to say the same thing.
OP you're critical of the way it's worded. How could they have worded it that would have made it OK? It's not going to change the outcome

Tbf, my dcs' school did a whole "we would never do this lightly, extreme weather warning, safety of children and staff" type email

We are one of many primary schools closing at lunch for the next two days, for pupil and staff comfort.
I think it is best for the children, but as adults in the school I feel we should just get on with it. They are refusing to offer any alternatives for working parents or any after school care, which as a member of staff makes me feel uncomfortable.

You need to take your complaints about work to the government - it's their responsibility to ensure school buildings are fit for purpose.

yes, this.

Great idea, thank you.

Safeguarding trumps your work commitments.

Blame successive Tory governments that have underinvested in school building. The Conservative governments cancelled or significantly altered several major school building projects during their time in power, most notably the previous Labour government's £55 billion ( Building schools for the future)programme in 2010, which scrapped hundreds of planned rebuilds.

But hey as long as you and they are nice and cool in your fancy air conditioned offices whilst children are squashed 30 and above in tiny airless classrooms teaching record temperatures.

99% of time they are fit for purpose
The current weather is unusually hot.
Where is the money coming from to provide and run all this AC? just in case we get a few days of extreme weather

We have the choice to take dc home at lunch time. Seems the best way to do it.

I hope you can sort something.

It's unusually hot now but we are getting hotter and hotter.