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Original poster

Schools

365 replies

Carrotcakeforbreakfast · 17/04/2020 12:04

I know this has been done 1000 times but my search function isn't working.

With the extended lockdown and daily numbers, when do you think the schools are likely to go back.
I believe lockdown won't end anytime soon but just wondering if anyone thinks schools opening will have changed?

OP posts:
RigaBalsam · 17/04/2020 23:29

What percentage of the workforce need childcare? That's the question. Obviously lots of MN. Let's suppose 65% need no childcare - that will be enough to get the economy rolling again

*Someone on another thread I forget the stats now so I maybe wrong but they thought about 30 percent of the work force need childcare.

*

BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:29

@Snog well maybe your friends will volunteer themselves to work at hubs where other pupils can attend during the summer.

Also, can I ask what you expect us to be teaching pupils during the 6 weeks off? Are you expecting us to be teaching a full timetable as normal? Or are you expecting a babysitting service?

If it's the former, I'm not sure you realise we can't expect pupils to go back to learning how to multiply fractions seeing as they will have potentially been traumatised during this time off and if it's the latter, you are looking for childcare so schools can ask people if they want to work and the government can pay them and if they don't want to then they don't have to.

Snog · 17/04/2020 23:31

My teacher friends aren't living the life of Riley right now, nobody is. They are not working more than half their usual hours though. Not because they are not great teachers, just because of the current situation.

Most people work hard these days of course, teachers included. That's not what the thread is about.

It's not a thread to bash teachers, teachers do a valuable job just as other key workers do. it's a thread to say that we all need to do what is required to get through this pandemic and teachers in my opinion should not get a special pass to say under no circumstances ever can they work during the usual 6 week break even if this is what is best for us as a society.

Daffodil101 · 17/04/2020 23:32

DH is a frontline doctor. His annual leave has been cancelled for three months and he’s working 60 hours a week when he’s paid for 40.

Because....national crisis, key worker, once in a generation thing

I might suggest he complains, leaves after 40 hours and insists on his annual leave.

But good luck when you need a consultant at your bedside to save your life, eh?

Snog · 17/04/2020 23:34

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RigaBalsam · 17/04/2020 23:34

Daff your oh is very much appreciated.

However, Teachers work way more than their contracted hours every day! Teaching mainly relies on good will. The job would not be done otherwise.

I thought everyone knew this, obviously not.

RigaBalsam · 17/04/2020 23:35

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BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:37

Daffodil I work over my contracted hours of 32.5 per week and have been at my laptop today since 8:00am and switched off at 7:30pm. I've prob put in around 50+ hours this week and have been happy to do that. I'm not paid for those extra hours either.

Your husbands leave has been cancelled for 3 months. That doesn't mean he can't have it. It will have to be taken at a different time.

Please tell me how you plan to then allow teacher to have their unpaid 6 weeks off during the academic year when we have to be in work teaching pupils?

Snog · 17/04/2020 23:37

@RigaBalsam most professionals standardly work over their contracted hours each week.

Daffodil101 · 17/04/2020 23:38

Shocking, absolutely shocking attitudes.

BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:39

I think the ignorance comes from the armchair teachers on this thread who think they know it all when they have absolutely NO idea what it takes or entails being a teacher.

If it's so easy and it's a time of National need, why not volunteer to work in a school or better still, train to teach? We are always looking for teachers as they seem to burn out after 5 years!

RigaBalsam · 17/04/2020 23:40

Shocking, absolutely shocking attitudes.

How so? Hmm

Daffodil101 · 17/04/2020 23:41

FWIW my DH frequently sits up past midnight working.

He doesn’t get paid for that. He doesn’t expect to. It’s called professionalism, it goes with the patch, along with the advantages afforded to those of us who ate currently in secure employment when our fellow citizens don’t know how they’ll put food on the table.

Iateallthecookies000 · 17/04/2020 23:41

Why should they work for free babysitting your children?

Snog · 17/04/2020 23:42

@BertNErnie because my suggestion was 2 weeks holiday instead of 6 and that teachers would be paid for their time

BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:42

I'm very thankful that the decision to reopen schools doesn't lie with some of the posters here this evening.

I am also thankful that our educational unions won't allow their staff to be used as sacrificial lambs in this pandemic.

Snog · 17/04/2020 23:42

@Daffodil101
I am shocked too

Iateallthecookies000 · 17/04/2020 23:43

Snog you are talking out of your arse. Nobody cares about your plans for the holidays.

DBML · 17/04/2020 23:43

@Daffodil101

I am immensely grateful for what your husband is doing, but I take offense at your post.

I have just volunteered, put myself forward to work 2 weeks unpaid, to look after Key workers children, as our hub was so short on staff who wanted to do this or could do this.
I have volunteered again for half term if needed. I’ve worked bank holidays. All unpaid.

I’ve done that because right now it is needed.

I think to expect that to continue over the summer, when assuming this level of support is no longer needed (if children can all be back together in one building) is completely unreasonable.

It would be the equivalent of telling your hardworking husband that although the peak was over and people were now out and about, he’s STILL got to work those hours and loose his leave.

This thread is utterly disgusting and I’m going to block it now.

Iateallthecookies000 · 17/04/2020 23:43

I’m shocked too at some of the moronic parents on here.

BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:44

Snog if teachers want to volunteer to do that then that's absolutely fine and I'm sure there will be some who are happy to come in and babysit and be paid for it.

Those who choose not to shouldn't have to and they certainly shouldn't be deemed to be unprofessional for not wanting to.

BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:45

And again no one is answered by question as to what will happen during these holidays.

Is it childcare or teaching? There's a huge difference - particularly in terms of the physical and mental stress and strain it puts on those teaching.

BertNErnie · 17/04/2020 23:45

Has answered my question*

Everyexitisanentrance · 17/04/2020 23:45

@BertNErnie - not just staff who will be sacrificial lambs -there will be students deaths as well but other posters aren't bothered about that. They just want childcare

Daffodil101 · 17/04/2020 23:47

Cookies, you’re right.

Why should they babysit my kids for free? Good point.

Why should my husband save your dying relative for free? Better to go home after 40 hours, that’s what he’s paid for, yes?

He intubated two patients last night, he was working hours he hadn’t been paid for. Would you be glad of him working ‘for free’ if that was your airway that was failing?

We’re all key workers, aren’t we? Good to see the solidarity.