My child's school is striking next Wednesday

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi all,

Just found out my daughters school is striking next week. The email from the head tried explaining its not just about pay, but about cuts to education as a whole. I understand there are a huge amount of problems, however striking is the wrong way to go about it especially when it concerns children. They have lost so much time in school over covid this seems ridiculous. I'm a working parent, we all have our issues right now but I can't walk out and strike. To say I'm angry is an understatement.

I'm sure this will be an contentious issue and some might disagree, which is fair enough. But I'm fuming at the moment and needed to vent!

Some of my friends schools are staying open, it looks so far like only two schools in the area are striking.

Teachers are part of the system. There’s many ex teachers doing Ofsted assessments. It’s many ex teachers moved over to LEA roles.

OP, I do sympathise your situation. Can you find some family or friends to help? Or ask if any other parents already needing to care the children at home help you out with a play date day?

The thing is, there's no other way for the teachers to express in a impactable way. It may or may not result in what they asked for. But the government needs to hear it out and loud, with full public support.

Ironically, I personally think this should the time, we go out to our door to "clap hands" to support NHS and teachers strike for pay rise and all.

Teachers don’t write ofsted guidance!

Also you now have the dates for the next strike day.

Plan ahead around them. See if you can find a childminder, family member, another parent in the same class where you can swap looking after the dcs together.

I would be fucking fuming too - but not at teachers striking - at the state of your child's education if nothing changes.

And it's government policy to fine. The LAs didn't decide this.

Actually, having consulted for Ofsted in the past, i know some of the ex-teachers who contribute to said guidance.

Actually if you go back to the original research - it was teachers complaining about the impact of little jonny missing a few days - that fed up and into this policy.

Ex being the crucial point - why be angry at present teachers when they’re not the ones making the policies

I’m not angry.

Just upset that we will have another generation of kids punished through strikes, for however long this goes on.

How old is the child, can't you plonk it in front of the tv

You are fuming? I’m sure if you really knew how bad schools are right now you would understand that the Government needs to step up. Teachers are making a stand for your children!

I support the strike. If nothing else, the children will learn about politics, unions, workers rights and the shit show that is our government, if parents can be bothered to explain this to there dc. Many life lessons there.

Just upset that we will have another generation of kids punished through strikes, for however long this goes on.

Are you upset about the shit state of education and if not, why not?

If you are, what do you propose be done about it given that the government don't give a toss?

I have one child doing GCSEs. And one in primary. I can see how the cuts have impacted my youngest education compared to my oldest. They both have SEN needs.
I'm also a lone parent and work in the social care sector which has over the years become less and less effective to where we are now
I support and encourage all those that can to strike. People need to be heard. An impact needs to be made. And this is all that is left now.

There is a big difference between one child missing time in school due to a holiday while the rest of the class carry on learning so the child is behind…and the whole class/school being off so at the same level.

striking is hard on teachers as they are not paid, and then just have to work harder to make sure all the curriculum is covered in a shorter period of time.

Seriously. What are your views on the lack of qualified teachers? Or are you just concerned with schools being open so as not to disrupt your day?

So you are a striking teacher then - picket line or putting your feet up with Netflix for a day or 4?

I can be facetious too.

answer the question

When I was appointed 8 years ago, I was the successful candidate out of 52 applications. FIFTY TWO.

We currently have a vacancy advertised, closing next week. So far we have 2 applications.

I don't get paid enough to work 13-14 hour days like I currently am. And clearly young prospective teachers don't think so either so something needs to be done.

You could strike if you wanted.

The point of the strike is to disrupt and inconvenience things to make the government listen. The teachers would much rather have resolved this another way.

Exclude the pay demands from your strike action and you’d have a more credible argument.

I don’t think i’ve ever heard a Union go to bat for quality of service, it’s always about t&c’s, ie. Pay and pensions etc. With a few other bits added on to make it more palatable to the public.

I agree that education is in a sorry mess. I’m glad i left it behind myself, although i was on the adult side, and got to experience the little darlings as they progressed to the next shambles after secondary school.

However, Striking about pay isn’t a solution. Punishing kids isn’t a solution.

What is the solution then ?

The whole point of striking is to cause inconvenience to others, who should then show the government their displeasure by writing to your MP, voting differently, etc.
The main reason myself and most of my colleagues are striking is because the pay increases are not being funded, schools are having to pick this up from their own budgets. This means less money to spend on resources, support staff, etc.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR STRIKE!

Just to be clear. You were facetious - so you lose the opportunity to get any more responses from me.

Bye.