How many teachers will be handing in the section 44 letter tomorrow and not going in?

[SoscaredforJan]

My DSis is scared to go to work tomorrow in a private primary school in Tier 3 but lowish numbers. She is not ECV but has got chemo damaged lungs so it petrified of catching Covid.

She desperately wants to follow union advice and not go in tomorrow but she’s worried that most teachers will be in as normal, she will have a black Mark against her and will be quietly pushed out.

Are there many teachers on here planning not to go in tomorrow? What do you think will happen tomorrow?

I received the email from UNISON, as I’m a paying member.

However, I’m in a private nursery setting. Does anyone know what the stance is on these settings?

I completely support teachers and school staff, who should not have to place themselves at such huge risk with no protection. I also feel for parents who are in such a difficult position.

Frankly, if the government win this fight when it is literally life or death, then they will know that they can treat teachers appallingly in the future and get away with it. Which is frightening.

We've got an INSET so I'll decide then.

The resignation deadline is 28 Feb for an Easter departure - we cant escape sooner without breaking contracts

mumneedswine I don't know what their membership is but, given there are 2 main unions and 500,000 teachers in the UK, I would imagine NEU membership should be around 200,000. I know lots of teachers who have left. As well as lots who have stayed. Opinion is incredibly divided of course. But I don't think it's right to say teachers are overwhelmingly in support of closures. The unions just shout more loudly.

Are the private school teachers covered by the unions? Or is that just state school teachers?

@LacyEdge don't send them then? De register.

Genuinely curious, but seeing as though the argument of making schools safe has been rumbling on for the best part of a year, now that you have actually been back in the classroom and experienced the situation, what measures do you actually want the government to put in place in response to the walkout in order to make the space safe for you to return to and which doesn't rely on parents sacrificing their livelihoods to do blended learning (other than the need for more spacious buildings and more trained staff which really aren't helpful suggestions in dealing with the here and now).

I sent mine in.
This is too big an issue to fanny about over. We need to stand up for our pupils and our families. All the ‘science’ and advice says schools need to close, the gov don’t give a crap though.
If you don’t send it in, then you might as well stop your union subscription- it’s completely undermining the union’s work to support us and if ever the gov has to listen to them, it’s now. If this fails because individuals don’t send the letters, the gov will never listen to the unions about anything. And that’s dangerous.
It’s not just about sending the letter for you, it’s bigger than that. It’s for your pupils, your family, your colleagues, for teachers all over the country in every setting, in every tier, it’s for the exam years (the government will HAVE to address their shit stance on y11 and 13, if not that’s our next united battle).
Please encourage her to send it.
Then to look for a better school to work in.

I'm hoping that teachers will do what is best for them whatever their circumstances. I've just sat and written out a very long email informing the head and governing body why my child will not be returning at present which is actually to support them and reduce the risks.
Right now I feel we're at a crossroads of either eduction or lives.

My kids school has announced closure due to section 44

22 year old teacher daughter. First job. Worked full time throughout. Gave up Easter holiday for no pay.

May I suggest that the government takes its health duties as an employer seriously instead of trying to foist blame onto teachers?

I'm so relieved and support their teachers

I hope they do!

@FancySomeChips

I sent mine in. This is too big an issue to fanny about over. We need to stand up for our pupils and our families. All the ‘science’ and advice says schools need to close, the gov don’t give a crap though. If you don’t send it in, then you might as well stop your union subscription- it’s completely undermining the union’s work to support us and if ever the gov has to listen to them, it’s now. If this fails because individuals don’t send the letters, the gov will never listen to the unions about anything. And that’s dangerous. It’s not just about sending the letter for you, it’s bigger than that. It’s for your pupils, your family, your colleagues, for teachers all over the country in every setting, in every tier, it’s for the exam years (the government will HAVE to address their shit stance on y11 and 13, if not that’s our next united battle). Please encourage her to send it. Then to look for a better school to work in.

Thank you’ you are right! I didn’t sit back and watch her battle stage 4 cancer at the age of 25 to lose her to Covid just because the government don’t want to lose face.

I hope all teachers send it in for people like her.

If you ask me to predict, I don't think that many and the majority of English primary schools outside London will open.

@manicinsomniac I frankly don't care anymore. I'm off. I've lost 2 friends and see 6 kids growing up without a parent. All I seem to hear is teachers are lazy, work shy fuckers when I've worked my arse off and seen people get v sick. So stuff it. I teach a shortage subject and 2 other colleagues are taking early retirement. Hope the queue of replacements gets training by Easter as we will be gone.

My DC go to school in this LEA: www.expressandstar.com/news/education/2021/01/03/wolverhampton-council-writes-to-secretary-of-state-in-plea-to-keep-schools-closed-amid-fears-new-strain-is-in-city/

I hope other councils also follow suit.

Good luck and best wishes to your sister OP.

I think most will go in tbh. Anecdotally, all my teacher friends are going in because other colleagues are, schools are overstretched, and they don’t want to add pressure to other school staff. I know that this is ‘backwards thinking’ in lots of ways, but I suspect it will be happening in lots of schools. None of them are ECV though- maybe they would be acting differently if they were.

mumneedswine that's fair enough. I care so much I can't think about anything else right now. It's driving me literally crazy.

@BatteredHake can you tell that to the families an children of my 2 colleagues. That they were not 'at risk' of Covid. One ran the London marathon last year and the other was a wild water swimmer. They are both now dead. From a Covid. Get your facts straight before you talk crap.

@manicinsomniac that's why I have had to leave. I can't do this anymore.

I am worried about the professional consequences but think I may need to be brave and do what I think is right - which is to send the letter. The personal consequences might be worse if I don’t. What a bloody choice.