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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To complain about a teacher having honeymoon leave before the end of term?

168 replies

janegrey · 30/03/2009 19:01

DDs are both in secondary school, DD1 doing GCSE.

One of their teachers, who teaches both of them, has been allowed to take leave to go on honeymoon this week even though it is still term time.

DD1 has already had issues about this particular teacher, whose marking has been inconsistent...fortunately her class is being taken by the subject head while he is away...and the subject head has helped her sort out the problems she had because of the inconsistent marking.

But DD2's class was supervised today by a teacher of a completely different subject. They had no work set, and in DD2's words they did "nothing".

I'm seething - I just cannot comprehend that the school/education authority has authorised leave in term-time for a non-essential reason...why couldn't he have gone on leave over the Easter holidays?

Do others agree? And if so, what's the most effective way to complain?

OP posts:

nickytwotimes · 30/03/2009 19:22

Oh,a dn lol at paternity leave - we tried to conceive #2 to coincide with the inspectors. Damn it, it didn't work.

Simplysally · 30/03/2009 19:23

It sounds as though the problem is more with the consistency of the teaching/marking more than the leave per se which you say has already been addressed.

Tbh, I wouldn't raise the issue of the honeymoon as it can't be changed now and unless they're likely to get re-married every year, unlikely to re-occur. I doubt it was sanctioned lightly.

Hulababy · 30/03/2009 19:23

Also - teachers have time off for courses, etc. One week really won't cause many problems IME. It is not ideal. But - as I am sure there wll be good reasons as to why this has been agreed you - it s a one off, the school have deemed it approprite, so I can't see the real problem.

The marking problem is an entirely seperate issue.

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:23

My year 11s are very focussed at the moment, regardless of a holiday approaching.

ScummyMummy · 30/03/2009 19:25

You are a meanie! DD1 is being catered for and DD2 wi;ll survive a few boring lessons. Give over, girlfriend.

DSM · 30/03/2009 19:25

Okay. But do you think that if you had to take a week off for some reason, they would possibly fail, or get a lower grade than if you didn't?

I doubt it. If they have been well taught for the duration of their GCSE's, a few missed lessons really won't make a difference.

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:25

Teachers have time off for courses but schools have blocks of time in which no courses or trips are allowed because of impending exams.

I am sure that there must be a very very good reason for the school to allow this.

mosschops of course teachers have a life and we have more time than most to conduct it in.

abbierhodes · 30/03/2009 19:26

I don't agree with those who say he should be able to take it when he wants. You don't have 12 weeks holiday a year for nothing.
However, I would say that there must be more to it, the school would not allow it otherwise.
I think the marking is more of a problem tbh. I would be very concerned about that.

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:28

I dont know DSM, I have taught 2 year 11 lessons today and on both I saw students have lightbulb moments that I know will make a real difference. We are just finishing off course content and I wont repeat that, they could catch up themselves of course ( although I suspect that the 2 bottoms sets that I taught today would not)

I would have to be at death's door to be off for a week. I was on casualty last night with chest problems, one of my biggest concerns was not being able to see my exam classes today. But I am work obsessed.

TheFallenMadonna · 30/03/2009 19:29

The exam class is being taught by the HoD though Twinset - they're not going it alone.

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:29

not on casualty, I dont moonlight as an actress at casualty.

abbierhodes · 30/03/2009 19:29

Twinset, I've never heard of a school having 'blocks of time' where courses aren't allowed. This simply wouldn't work in most places as so many courses are modular, there isn't a set 'exam' time.

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:30

yes Fallen that is true I suppose, I just know my school would not allow it.

Hulababy · 30/03/2009 19:30

twinset - I do respect how hard you work and how much you put your students first above yoursekf - but that is not always the right thing to do. You have to think about yourself too. I learnt that the hard way. It's about balance.

Original poster

janegrey · 30/03/2009 19:31

Twinset - please tell me where you teach! We'll move

OP posts:

TheFallenMadonna · 30/03/2009 19:31

Neither would mine.
Unless there were exceptional circumstances. Must be, surely?

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:31

Really abbierhodes when we get our school calendar we have blocks of time in which nothing can be arranged, either courses or trips. Of course it is more challenging wth modular exams but there are still crucial times when exams are happening in a lot of subjects or when we are setting our own mocks.

TheFallenMadonna · 30/03/2009 19:32

God yes Twinset. You can indeed go too far. I shall almost certianly be off tomorrow as I have had no voice for 6 days . No year 11s on a Tuesday though...

katz · 30/03/2009 19:33

twinset - thats not true, DH is allowed to go on courses whenever, there are no restrictions, it is up to the head. He's having 5 days off between the start of term after the Easter hols and his children going on exam leave. He only teaches A Level, so all of his classes are exam classes. He has to write detailed lesson plans so that the the lessons are well taught.

The OP school should be making sure that the lesson are being properly covered. Maybe he and his wife wanted to have a 3 week honeymoon, maybe the flights were cheaper, maybe the weather was nicer, maybe they couldn't have afforded a honeymoon at another time, maybe his wife couldn't take time off else where, again these are all reasons given my mumsnetters as to why they have taken their children out of school.

StarlightMcKenzie · 30/03/2009 19:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ScummyMummy · 30/03/2009 19:33

Damn right, hula. Lightbulb moments are fabbo indeed but you must also look after yourself Ms Twinset.

twinsetandpearls · 30/03/2009 19:33

I am sure hula if I was having a heart attack I would not be in work Instead I have big boobs and too much stress. I made arrangements at work to limit my stress.

DSM · 30/03/2009 19:34

TBH, that really concerns me, that so close to exam time they are still not completely ready to sit the exams. IMO, they should have a full knowledge of the curriculum, and use the last couple of months to study. Obviously there will be some less able students who need the extra help, but for the most part..

I find that quite concerning, really.

Also, think it might be a good thing to have a different teacher now and again, very occasionally of course, as a fresh way of explaining something can help sometimes.

Either way, I think I would be really concerned if I felt my child was going to significantly fall behind so close to exam time for the sake of a few lessons.

PS - ROFL @ moonlighting as an actress!

cornsilk · 30/03/2009 19:34

I worked in a school that allowed holidays/honeymoons during term time. Circumstances were not exceptional. Also happened in my ds's school (don't know about the circumstances there though.) Like twinset I don't really agree with it - we have 5 weeks off at Summer.

TheFallenMadonna · 30/03/2009 19:34

Well, we're never allowed on courses, so that solves that one

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