Headteacher unions begin legal proceedings against DfE

[Makingnumber2]

www.naht.org.uk/news-and-opinion/news/leadership-news/update-regarding-start-of-term-sent-to-members-on-2-jan-2021/?fbclid=IwAR3WFugSo-KsSToWAvbteMs8HspeXZTMBd9VaiOlAVxOeL0FM1wDRzqbviA

NAHT and ASCL start legal proceedings against DfE

At my home it is totally at the discretion of the management and on occasion, completely unsafe - we are unionised but many are too scared they will lose their jobs if they speak up - this is the reality for some people.

I'm worried my contract won't be renewed- but I've come to the decision that supporting my union is more important.

I do know that I could find a job elsewhere with relative ease, but I suspect similar is true of care staff.

Please don't make out like this is easy for teachers to do though, because it's not.

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'Secondary teacher here who is in as much contact as a supermarket worker with 350+ students per day, and in the same small unventilated for up to two hours with approx 100 different students per day.'

I must admit I didn't realise teachers were in close contact with 350+ students a day in a small windowless room, or 100 different students a day for 2 hours. That is serious I agree. Why don't they rotate it, half the school in for a month the other half home learning. No doubt i'll get a stream of mockery but seriously this has been going on since March, why isn't some kind of rotation in place?

This is EXACTLY the kind of thing teachers and heads want. But they are not allowed to do it.

My sons FE college have been in on a rota basis to allow for distancing and they also have large, well ventilated rooms.

Schools that attempted to institute a Rota were threatened with legal sanctions.

Because the government forbids it getoff!

@GetOffYourHighHorse some will be som won't will depend on each school but yes for secondary rota prob would be way to go a class of 15 easier to sd prob better learning as well , smaller classes

'Because the government explicitly banned rotas.'

Oh thankyou for that. It's nice to get answers when enquiring. Why though, what was the rationale?

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'Secondary teacher here who is in as much contact as a supermarket worker with 350+ students per day, and in the same small unventilated for up to two hours with approx 100 different students per day.'

I must admit I didn't realise teachers were in close contact with 350+ students a day in a small windowless room, or 100 different students a day for 2 hours. That is serious I agree. Why don't they rotate it, half the school in for a month the other half home learning. No doubt i'll get a stream of mockery but seriously this has been going on since March, why isn't some kind of rotation in place?

This is what HT and unions called for from sept. Rotas, blended learning etc to keep numbers low, contacts minimal and social distancing could happen.

They were told no alongside the use of masks.

This is why they are where they are now. Because they've called and called for safety. (FE colleges guidance said they could do blended learning)

So it's because they've been refused any safety measure at all and keep being told schools are safe it's got to the point it has re their feelings.

If I was back in my old job (secondary school TA) in a Tier 4 area with the new variant running wild, I would be demanding weekly testing for all staff and students - maybe 4 days to learn and 1 day to test - something like that - I support you all I just think you shout the loudest and it’s all a bit insensitive to other professions - the medical profession especially - sorry if I offend :/

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'Because the government explicitly banned rotas.'

Oh thankyou for that. It's nice to get answers when enquiring. Why though, what was the rationale?

I honestly can’t think of a rationale.

Their answer was schools should be fully open. Schools are safe.

@GetOffYourHighHorse, the rota thing was EXACTLY what heads asked for when schools were expected to go back in December. But the govt said a flat out no.

At no point has the govt really addressed the risks inherent in having all children back in school full time, maskless.

Why though, what was the rationale?

Because they are arses

Spetember, not December. Sorry.

@Piggywaspushed i didn't portray them as always on strike , but yes i do remember a teachers strike re: pay and conditions I believe as i had to sort childcare as I worked but luckily I always had back up plan for this as kids can be ill etc at drop of a hat or decide to run into school gates and split their heads open

@GetOffYourHighHorse
No idea on the rationale. Probably because it clashed with the government "every child must be in school" motto.

It was recommended by SAGE to have rotas.

My daughter (no measures) has been sent home twice for two weeks. She’s one of the lucky ones.

My son (rotas, distancing, masks etc) has not been sent home once despite his college being in a higher tier area.

Beebity

If I was your head and you're being so honest but I honestly feel, I can't be flexible eg my hands are tied or my attendee figs are down... Inside I would be screaming at you..

Tell me they have stomach bugs!!

An ewo has been on here spelling out that making you loose a place after a short space of time is illegal, many schools don't know their own legal process, ewo won't fine you... They won't fine you!!

It's a process and to get anywhere near ewo stage or fines it's going to be at least 30 days of non attendance!!

Please please don't worry!

No one at all can disprove you, if you u say stomach ache...

Buy some time.... Until common sense prevails

@GetOffYourHighHorse

'Because the government explicitly banned rotas.'

Oh thankyou for that. It's nice to get answers when enquiring. Why though, what was the rationale?

I think the rationale was that if they agreed to any request that acknowledged that there was a risk, they wouldn't be able to say 'schools are safe'. Which they wanted to be able to say and have not stopped saying, despite it clearly being untrue.

I support you all I just think you shout the loudest and it’s all a bit insensitive to other professions - the medical profession especially

The medical profession are being shafted too.

Come, colleges run a bit different.

It never made sense why for older students blended learning couldn't of worked its worked great in college not sure it could work so well with younger ones though
But then i have been on threads where parents say they would not leave there yr7/ 8 child so guess some wouldn't be happy

Re the phrase that drives me mad..

Schools ate safe..

(no they have been made slightly safer in the circs)

One would think Kier with his barrister brain would be pinning them down in hoc on meaning of safe!!

I’m comparing the two (Ds is 16 in college, dd is 18 in school) & both studying similar subjects (performing arts) because I think it shows how students are being affected by schools not being allowed to make the environments safer.

@saraclara i think the use of word covid safe is crap , should of been covid compliant or following covid guidelines aa I don't think anywhere is covid safe
As in we are taking all mitigations we can to be as safe as possible

Do I think they are experts in teaching? No. Do I think they any idea what it’s like teaching? No. Do I think they understand what teaching in a pandemic is like? No

What gives teachers/teachers unions the right to lecture others on pandemic control, infection and public safety measures?

We have union bods telling anyone who will listen that they know better than scientists and the government

This kind of bossiness, and holding the country to ransom, is not going to go down well

@Hercwasonasnowball but they would of been in school but I don't think it would be so easy for primary to do blended learning