Have state school teachers faced redundancy for not working during lockdown?

[notevenat20]

I recently read

I think those of us who work in the private sector understand we are going to have to work during periods of self isolation whilst juggling family. It was the same during lockdown. We want to keep our jobs so we will have to provide the service.

This got me wondering, is this a pressure state school teachers feel too?

Certainly at DC’s school no educational provision was given for almost all of lockdown (there were 6 key worker children in the school, out of 420).

@SmileEachDay

How’s it been?

Hi Smile! My feet hurt and I've got a bunch of marking to do. School is weird but the kids are great, I've got some nice classes this year. How about you?

Just limited time

Interesting priorities then.

Of course we all know that all private sector workers are down t'pit, bare footed, working 25 hr shifts on a bowl of gruel a day.

This is how we support all those idle public sector workers sitting by the pool in their perfect gardens, waiting for Deliveroo to pop round three times a day in the special public sector gold plated delivery van.

What a ridiculous and transparent attempt to bash teachers and stir up resentment.

Shameful.

Sounds like there was quite a big variation in what different schools did.

Why are people surprised? The govt don’t give clear guidance to schools, academies have different curriculum, different technology... different schools have different bubble sizes, requirements for covid test...

Maybe it is because there is no coherent strategy or leadership from govt?

Maybe it is because there is no coherent strategy or leadership from govt?

Or funding. Let's not forget the much trumpeted laptop scheme that completely failed to deliver.

There have been other organisations where people haven’t worked during lockdown, why aren’t you starting threads about them and saying they should be fired.

If the teachers in your DC’s school were fired what would you do about school?

When the schools were ‘closed’ the Government told them they had to provide childcare for key worker and vulnerable children and they suspended the curriculum. Schools teach the curriculum, so if they suspend the curriculum technically they don’t have to teach anything. Obviously as with most things the Government hadn’t thought this through especially when they realised lockdown was going to go on longer than they probably originally planned.

Do we not need to look forward now and encourage the government to invest and look at ways to retain staff and deal with the needs this pandemic is throwing up.
People in schools are working in unsafe conditions and given how a cold can pass through a school I don't think covid will be stopped. We need this govt to stop being ridiculous and get a proper series of plans in place that are doable and work for adults and children alike.

noble

I’m knackered- dept has been hit hard with isolating staff (and no way of getting tests) so cover has been insane. I’ve had to pick up an additional Y11 class, which is somewhat stressful.

Having said that all my classes are lush - but teaching in a visor is hard work.

Not being able to live mark is making the marking load ridiculous.

I just....I feel like it should be half term already 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Teachers - don't respond to this.
Moderators, please do your job. If a thread is obviously goady and teacher bashing from the very outset, it should be gone. But then, you have not exactly covered yourself in glory thus far.

@notevenat20

Studiously ignoring my posts about how the govt have destroyed state education I see, noteven

Actually that is one of my favourite topics :). Just limited time.

Is that because the government are only paying you for a certain amount of hours to try and discredit teachers?

My question was about the similarities and difference between private and state schools to do your full job during lockdown.

What do you mean "similarities to do your full job"?

But ok, if we just answer on the basis of your original post, then it's really simple.

State school teachers would face the possibility of losing their jobs if they failed/refused to carry out the work that their school policy instructed them to do during lockdown - which, as you correctly pointed out, varied hugely from school to school.
Teachers will (quite rightly) not face losing their jobs on the basis of parents' or other members of the public's opinions on how much work teachers were or weren't doing and what they got paid.

I still can't imagine what you think would be achieved by making redundant teachers who have simply followed their school's policy.

long lazy lunches in the park

What, you timed them? Did you seriously stand there with a stopwatch for over an hour to decide this? What exactly is a lazy lunchbreak - surely a break is exactly that, by definition it can't be fucking lazy, it's a break.

Have you any idea what a total bellend you sound?

@notevenat20 if you had been told not to do any work by your boss but you would still be paid and you followed their instructions do you think you should be fired?

What exactly is a lazy lunchbreak

At the moment a lazy lunch break for me would be one where I have time time to eat, drink and go to the toilet.

Having said that all my classes are lush - but teaching in a visor is hard work.

^^This! I thought taking off a mask after the shopping was a relief, but 'tis nothing compared to the feeling of finally removing a visor!

I know Feenie!! The feeling of air on your face as you leave the school!!

Have you discovered the ones that go on like spectacles? They’re much better.

I just....I feel like it should be half term already

Yeah, Smile, every teacher I spoke to yesterday was absolutely hanging.

And run-down teachers get ill more easily. It’s going to be a tough term.

Good that we’ve got lovely positive threads on MN to give us a boost though eh?

Teachers at my sons school were in on a rota providing childcare for key worker children and providing google classroom work, which wasnt great but it was something, they also had to do training courses whilst off and change prepare classrooms so they werent doing nothing on full pay. Anyway, it's the LA that paid them it was their choice to pay them full pay.

And run-down teachers get ill more easily. It’s going to be a tough term

I can feel my throat going - I think because I can’t project my voice properly wearing visor.

Any illness that involves a cough and/or temp is keeping people off isolating. I don’t know any teacher who doesn’t have those symptoms at least once between now and Christmas!!

@SmileEachDay

I know Feenie!! The feeling of air on your face as you leave the school!!

Have you discovered the ones that go on like spectacles? They’re much better.

I've bought some on Amazon to try on Monday, have heard good things!

They are lighter and don’t give you a headache like the “band” ones.

Still difficult to teach in, but loads better. Hope it improves things for you also!

I'm wearing the ones with glasses. Much better.

The fact that you can approach your school with any problems marks it out as a good school. We are not all so lucky sadly.

Any parent can approach any school with problems at any time.

Yeah, because there are people queuing up to work as teachers.

Maybe @notevenat20 should have a go at being a teacher as she thinks it's such an easy job and all current teachers are a waste of space.