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Original poster

NEU tells teachers not to go to work on Monday

944 replies

Workyticket · 02/01/2021 13:24

skwawkbox.org/2021/01/02/breaking-union-tells-teachers-not-to-go-to-work-on-monday/

OP posts:
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6
itsgettingweird · 02/01/2021 21:21

Zenudist you think I sound bitter?

Over what exactly?

I'm not a teacher Grin

SansaSnark · 02/01/2021 21:22

[quote Tillsforthrills]@SansaSnark

Plenty of us that support you Flowers100% and what you do, which is so more than a 9-5![/quote]
This is appreciated! Thank you!

Tillsforthrills · 02/01/2021 21:24

@ZenNudist and @justanotherneighinparadise you sound spiteful and passive aggressive to boot with an axe to grind.

DayBath · 02/01/2021 21:25

@LolaSmiles

DayBath This situation has me questioning whether I want to remain in teaching or have a career break. I've never wanted to be a SAHP, because I don't think I'm cut out for it and I love my job, but it's something DH and I are actively discussing for the first time.

I'm sure the usual goady ones would argue this is a sign teachers don't know the real world, but I have a previous career I'm experienced in and however much I love teaching, I'm not willing to have it negatively affect my health or family.

I think there will be a real skills shortage as many teachers are considering the same thing. This time next year we could find schools struggling for fully qualified staff, it's sad but completely understandable. This is the seed that Gavin has sowed and he will no doubt head for the hills to be replaced by some other poor schmuck when it's time to reap.
Countdowntonothing · 02/01/2021 21:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DayBath · 02/01/2021 21:26

@itsgettingweird

Zenudist you think I sound bitter?

Over what exactly?

I'm not a teacher Grin

It's interesting how Zenudist assumes we are teachers simply because we sympathise with them. It's almost as if parents can't possibly support those crazy teachers eh?!
DayBath · 02/01/2021 21:28

Sky news just reported a response from DfE...paraphrasing here but "blah blah blah....we can't hear you! Our fingers are in our ears! Blah blah...schools are safe..." was the jist of it.

Predictable. I expect they will do this for a couple of weeks until the screams become deafening. At which point they will close schools and pretend it was always a part of their long term plan and not at all because of public opinion starting to support teachers.

SecretSpAD · 02/01/2021 21:28

I'm a public health doctor who has spent several months working with schools this year.

They need to close for a while and the time that they are closed needs to be used to ensure that they really are covid secure - because they aren't at the moment.

It is good to see that more parents are now supporting teachers and believing them when they say that children are spreading this virus (for those who believe otherwise - have you met a child?).

I have not met a teacher yet who wasn't worried about the impact of disruption to childrens education. However, we are in unprecedented times and we need to take steps to prevent further spread of this virus.

It's killing people.

itsgettingweird · 02/01/2021 21:32

@SecretSpAD

I'm a public health doctor who has spent several months working with schools this year.

They need to close for a while and the time that they are closed needs to be used to ensure that they really are covid secure - because they aren't at the moment.

It is good to see that more parents are now supporting teachers and believing them when they say that children are spreading this virus (for those who believe otherwise - have you met a child?).

I have not met a teacher yet who wasn't worried about the impact of disruption to childrens education. However, we are in unprecedented times and we need to take steps to prevent further spread of this virus.

It's killing people.

Hi spad you probably don't remember me but you had me in hysterics over the Cummings threads.

Thanks for coming in and speaking. I know from what you'd said on previous threads you have a huge wealth of knowledge. Hopefully people will start listening and our teachers and our children will be afforded better safety (or some!)

LolaSmiles · 02/01/2021 21:32

I think there will be a real skills shortage as many teachers are considering the same thing
There's a very real chance this could be happening.
I know of some English/Maths departments where most of the department aren't subject specialists.
I've also seen the poor quality of some trainees who are being passed in recent years. Things that peers on my course were pulled up for are now swept under the rug at times.
My DC aren't secondary age but I'm genuinely concerned about the quality of education in some areas when they get there if this continues.

SecretSpAD · 02/01/2021 21:38

@itsgettingweird thank you. I do remember you!

Benjispruce2 · 02/01/2021 21:38

I’m a hlta and I’m reconsidering my role. I know that at least one teacher I work with has similar feelings. I feel I can’t keep safe at school. I have to cover every bubble for teachers on their ppa. Our rooms aren’t big enough, doors started to get closed when the winter set in.

myrtleWilson · 02/01/2021 21:39

The govt have thrown schools, headteachers, teachers, support staff and pupils under a bus since the beginning of the pandemic. The ridiculous changes to guidance (untracked changes), the shifting of goal posts, ignoring SAGE and yet still the defiance that schools are "safe" - only if a definition of "safe" is so limited and different from other sectors/work places. The new variant as the ability to overwhelm the NHS (indeed this may already be baked in given the numbers we're seeing) and yet the signs are the govt are going to prevaricate about making a decision until the only decision left is open to them - but too late. I hope the teachers on this thread are well supported IRL, and that parents are able to find a way to deal with the fallout of a govt putting off the difficult decisions until the last minute so the blame can lie elsewhere, plus I send my sympathy to the children of the PP's primary school teaching DH who said he'd only worked at 50% levels - so sorry for how he let you down.

Turtleshelly · 02/01/2021 21:45

Good. I support them. Schools should be open safely once we have this strain under control . Currently they’re not

SansaSnark · 02/01/2021 21:47

@LolaSmiles

I think there will be a real skills shortage as many teachers are considering the same thing There's a very real chance this could be happening. I know of some English/Maths departments where most of the department aren't subject specialists. I've also seen the poor quality of some trainees who are being passed in recent years. Things that peers on my course were pulled up for are now swept under the rug at times. My DC aren't secondary age but I'm genuinely concerned about the quality of education in some areas when they get there if this continues.
I'd add science to that- particularly if you want them to be taught physics by a specialist at any point.
WellFiddleMyDiddlyDee · 02/01/2021 21:55

I work as a primary teacher because I want to. I love it. I don’t have to work at all, my husband earns 5x my wages (and works far fewer hours FYI!) I have chosen to continue to work through the pandemic despite being vulnerable. I should leave but I don’t want to abandon my class. I know they won’t find a replacement teacher and certainly not one as experienced as me. We currently have a class without a teacher as we had ZERO applications for the role. In a lovely outstanding primary school. The last job we had two applications, neither of which were suitable for various reasons. There is a huge teacher retention crisis and throwing us to the wolves will categorically make the ones who don’t have to work leave. Those working over retirement, those with other career options and those that would rather be anywhere else will go. What’s the point in carrying on.

LadyPenelope68 · 02/01/2021 22:17

@ZenNudist
Check, sansa and wierd - you all sound very bitter and I know I can't say anything to make you feel better about your jobs. I think you need to reset your mindset that you are working "for free" when you have finished your 9 to 5 (or 3.30 or whatever that is). Teaching is a profession. This means you are salaried to do a role. Some of which takes place in school hours and some takes evening, weekends and holidays. I doubt your beleaguered HT is going to put up with a down tools approach. Do you understand that saying these things which you probably don't really mean makes teachers look bad? Everyone I know in the profession is much more professional and I'm so impressed with my lovely dcs teachers who although they were not great at homeschool are fab in person and yes I notice the lovely activities they do with my dc out of their own funds. I send money in to add to this pot and I think its despicable that schools are so underfunded its come to this. Dm is a retired primary teacher and even back in Thatcher's Britain we had better arts and crafts supplies that poor teachers now shell out for. It is appreciated by some parents. We dont have out of school activities now so at least you can relax on that front. And as for parents evening please do campaign for video conferencing appointments any time of day. This is the future.
Do you realise how utterly unpleasant and patronising this sounds? We’re working many hours above and what we’re paid and you think teachers need to “reset their mindset” and call them unprofessional. Unbelievable 🤬🤬

itsgettingweird · 02/01/2021 22:20

Lady do you realise how insane the poster sounds when they accuse me of all gang stuff and I'm not even a teacher Grin

I just had the audacity to agree with them Grin

Mumisnotmyonlyname · 02/01/2021 22:54

Unbelievable that this nugget of scientific opinion has just been uncovered:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/02/symptomless-cases-schools-key-driver-spread-covid-19?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

FrippEnos · 02/01/2021 22:56

@Flippingnightmare

Oops didn't mean to quote you FrippEnos

Should have listened more to my ICT teacher Grin

Gave me a laugh so its all good. :)
itsgettingweird · 02/01/2021 22:59

Unison have now informed their members too.

I'm pretty sure that's most non teaching staff?

SaltyAF · 02/01/2021 23:00

I think there will be a real skills shortage as many teachers are considering the same thing. This time next year we could find schools struggling for fully qualified staff, it's sad but completely understandable. This is the seed that Gavin has sowed and he will no doubt head for the hills to be replaced by some other poor schmuck when it's time to reap.

@DayBath I wouldn't worry too much. There are teachers of 20 years' experience like me, with another 20 years or so to go, who can't afford to leave. We won't forget how we've been vilified. Instead kids are stuck with us as their pissed off and resentful teachers for years to come.

It's a shame but it's a situation created by the teacher bashers. I am so sick of people's entitlement

Monkeytennis97 · 03/01/2021 07:02

@Cameron2012

Good for them, 100% support them..
Thank youThanks
LadyPenelope68 · 03/01/2021 07:47

@itsgettingweird
I’d agree, she’s definitely insane 🤣🤣 but don’t worry, if you’re a teacher you’re immune to Covid according to the Government so come join our gang! 😂😂😂

LadyPenelope68 · 03/01/2021 07:50

@itsgettingweird
Unison have now informed their members too. I'm pretty sure that's most non teaching staff?

There’s GMB as well for a lot of support staff, but GMB are usually late to the party anyway so I imagine they’ll advise the same today.