How/when did the tide turn on schools?

[LaceCurtains]

In the beginning the mood here was almost desperate calling for schools to be closed.

In the last week or so there's been a marked shift to getting them open (from peope here).

Is it the same people who wanted the closed, now calling for them to get back to normal or have the original campaigners gone quiet/new people got louder?

FWIW I always thought schools closed as early as they did because of public pressure and it seems to me that "other" things are getting back to normal more quickly than originally planned/expected (because of DC and the need to distract?) but schools don't seem to be included in that.

I'm at a loss as to why schools are being treated so differently. I'm SLT in school, if that makes a difference and the government guidance is a shambles. Changes daily but doesn't seem to have any clear aim.

@BeltaneBride Love to kick a person whilst they’re down?

Not having a pity party but just remember I’m human. My mum requires 24/7 care in a nursing home. I haven’t spoke to or seen her since the start of March. Her needs are so complex she cannot communicate with the world therefore I haven’t been able to speak to her. All communication is done through her nurses. Obviously we know what has been happening with care homes.

My son is autistic. Can you imagine what the last 12 weeks has been like with me ignoring him for 6 hours a day? Trying to hide his meltdowns from my classes (and their parents during the remote parents evenings) so I won’t be known as the ‘teacher with the crazy kid’?

I go to bed each day feeling like I’m a crap parent and a crap teacher. I have taught for twenty years. I have never once felt like being ‘signed off’. I didn’t even take time off when my father died or when I had a miscarriage, only for the funeral in the case of my father and a day when I had the ERPC for the miscarriage. This should show how at breaking point teachers are.

[quote motherrunner]@GazeboParty Yes we are open for keyworker children although being a high school there are only around 20 students in day. They are divided between 2 IT rooms so therefore also have access to the live lessons that are taking place. The rooms are staffed by SLT, support staff and teachers of practical lessons eg PE. All other teachers are at home, teaching to timetable.[/quote]
Sounds like a great set up! The kids at your school are very lucky!

Beltane you seem to know the terms and conditions of EVERY public sector worker - how is this? I worked in the private sector and know a handful of people who were signed off. However I have no idea what their package was and wouldn't have thought to ask.

Motherrunner - I'm sure your students appreciate you. I hope your school does.
And I hope you know that you are not a crap parent.

[quote BeltaneBride]@Motherunner lots of us are at breaking point and don't have the option of being 'signed off' the gorilla option of the public sector. You have no idea what it is like to have all that and not the safety net of 6months full pay six months half.
Will save my sympathy for those struggling through without the 'signed off' option.[/quote]
That is SO not my package!

Depends on individual schools/academies plus length of service in that individual school.

Supply teachers (some of whom are not one off days but teach same class regularly) do not get that either.

Facts right before shouting off, please.

[quote motherrunner]@BeltaneBride Love to kick a person whilst they’re down?

Not having a pity party but just remember I’m human. My mum requires 24/7 care in a nursing home. I haven’t spoke to or seen her since the start of March. Her needs are so complex she cannot communicate with the world therefore I haven’t been able to speak to her. All communication is done through her nurses. Obviously we know what has been happening with care homes.

My son is autistic. Can you imagine what the last 12 weeks has been like with me ignoring him for 6 hours a day? Trying to hide his meltdowns from my classes (and their parents during the remote parents evenings) so I won’t be known as the ‘teacher with the crazy kid’?

I go to bed each day feeling like I’m a crap parent and a crap teacher. I have taught for twenty years. I have never once felt like being ‘signed off’. I didn’t even take time off when my father died or when I had a miscarriage, only for the funeral in the case of my father and a day when I had the ERPC for the miscarriage. This should show how at breaking point teachers are.[/quote]
I feel bad that my complaints on here might have contributed to you feeling at breaking point but that was not at all my intention. The set up you have described at your schools is do far removed from our reality it’s not funny. I have two kids in year 12 who are not being taught - it’s not fair on them and the school will hear none of it - they tell us they are meeting their needs and we shouldn’t compare schools.😕

@Notonthestairs
What a ridiculous statement.
The poster was taking about being 'signed off' - presumably not on no pay? So costing the rest of us whatever she is paid - -perhaps she can clarify just how much her 'being signed off' would cost the rest of us.

@GazeboParty No, not at all. I’m sorry that your children are being failed. I only know what my school is doing, my friend’s schools and my own children’s school are doing.

@BeltaneBride I really have no idea. I would and, have done, take time off unpaid. When my children have been ill, and I have had to stay home to care for them, I have to take the time unpaid as I’m not in the classroom. I still however set and mark the work.

I think I’m going to hide this thread now. I came in to offer the perspective that (some) teachers are suffering and somehow it has given weight to the argument that teacher’s are lazy and take the easy option.

On a lasting note. If I was in any other profession stating I was struggling would I have been asked what my sickness package was? I can’t imagine me telling someone who was contemplating harming themselves that they were a poor role model and work shy.

*teachers

My point was that there isn't one single clause in every public sector contract that offers 6 months paid, 6 months half pay. They differ and you don't know her terms of employment.

Anyway she hasn't been signed off and doesn't know if she would be. Frankly whatever she decides to do (in conjunction with her GP and HR department) isn't really any of our business.

I don't think there is any value in barracking somebody who is working hard.

@BeltaneBride

She sees being signed off as an option - in other words stop working and let others pay. For most people that is not an option. If you don't want to do your job you resign. Only in the public sector can you decide you will be 'signed off' and be paid for not working, tab picked up by people without that option. No wonder people are dissing teachers!

I think you are being too harsh, there is no need to make someone feel worse...if all teachers were as dedicated as @motherrunner - this thread would fallen off the boards by now.

For some (teachers with children and working parents) they are just going to have to hire someone even if that means they are working almost at a loss for the next few months just to keep their sanity.

@BeltaneBride

She sees being signed off as an option - in other words stop working and let others pay. For most people that is not an option. If you don't want to do your job you resign. Only in the public sector can you decide you will be 'signed off' and be paid for not working, tab picked up by people without that option. No wonder people are dissing teachers!

It's not about not wanting to do your job, being signed off due to stress is different. In general public sector benefits are better I agree but you are being unnecessarily harsh.

The "signing off" thing really doesn't help the public view.

If I don't work I don't get paid. So I work.

I was very uncomfortable with DD going into school the last week schools were open.

I now think schools should be fully open. I think think all children should be offered in school education if their parents want it between next Monday and the summer holidays. One week in, one week off if necessary. So for me the tide turns this weekend. Initially I was uncertain about Reception and Y1 going back, but I think from mid June all Year groups should have some time in school. But I'm not a client ist or economist so what do I know. All I know is my Y10 DD has struggled with home learning and has been offered no face to face time with a teacher for the rest of this academic year. Yet. I am watching my emails carefully.

I have a worse sick pay deal now in public sector than I did in private sector, and much worse maternity pay.

So anecdotally, shut up.

Also, if everyone thinks in general terms that teachers (or other public sector workers) have it easy, then:

a) what made you think that? How have you managed to allow yourselves to be convinced by the right wing media that all people who work in public protection are in some way lesser than you?

b) go and work in the public sector. It's easy, everyone is lazy so you'll be able to rise through the ranks easily, you get cushy sick leave pay and probably a massive pension. Just do it. Tell your children to do it.

I have a worse sick pay deal now in public sector than I did in private sector, and much worse maternity pay.

I had 6 months full sick pay and 6 months full pay for maternity leave in the public sector, how much did you have in private? I would say that is very much not the norm. I don't agree with the image often thrown around that public sector workers just sit on their arses all day or don't work, not at all, I worked a lot harder than I do now- but the 'benefits' such as paid leave and job security are pretty hard to find elsewhere.

Regardless of that, anyone who is struggling and their work is becoming detrimental to their MH and physical health should get signed off. It's very rare for people to do so just because they fancy a jolly despite what a lot of ignorant people seem to think. I would say to anyone who feels the weight of work becoming too much to do so.

Beltane, aren't you a public servant?

It was a poster on here who said her staff would "go off sick" if told to go back to work when they didn't want to.

Beltane Bride how have you allowed yourself to be so manipulated by right wing ideology that you can be so spiteful to someone who is struggling? Why is the teaching profession suddenly fair game to be the new whipping boys? If private sector work practices and benefits aren’t up to the same standard as public sector ones then surely you should put your energies into fighting this? We would support you. The right wing want to pit worker against worker in a race to the bottom. We should resist and not spend our lives paralysed by bitterness. Comparison is the thief of joy and all that. I bet you wanted the junior doctors sacked in 2016 didn’t you?

Oh, just ignore BeltanerBride. She hovers around these boards being a bitch to teachers wherever possible.