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Original poster

Fellow teachers- what would you think?

40 replies

smartiejake · 04/11/2008 22:10

I have had a job share teaching job for the past 12 years.

Next March I have offered to go with our year 6s on their field trip as one of my deaf pupils will be going and needs the support. This will involve me working 2 and a half days that I do not usually work for which my HT will pay me supply rates.

I went to see him yesterday to ask him if I can have a day off instead of being paid for one of these days as my sis has asked me to go away for the weekend and will involve coming back on a day when I usually work.

We have a very able HLTA who covers us when we are on courses or away and this is cheaper than paying for me for a day's supply anyway and I would plan all the work for her to do.(This is with a group of three deaf children)

He said no as the other teachers would complain as they are would not be allowed to take time off in term time to go on holidays (???!!!)

I could swap a day with my job share but would rather do it this way as I am already having to go to some considerable lengths to organise care for my dds while I am away. I feel like telling him to stuff his field trip but the child in question has autistic tendencies and needs someone she knows really well to go with her- noone else has offered to do it.

ALso I know for a fact that other members of staff have been given days off to go to weddings or if they are moving house.

So what would you feel if a part time teacher in your school wanted to do this?

AIBU in thinking this is rather unfair?

OP posts:

twinsetandpearls · 04/11/2008 22:47

That is a real compliment when a parent is glad you are involvled with your child. The glow you get from that makes up for the shitty bits

clam · 05/11/2008 18:23

We've had this in our school. Our previous deputy (who, in effect, ran the school) enforced this ridiculous non-negotiable rule of supposed fairness and clarity, meaning no days off in lieu ever, and docked pay left, right and centre. OK, so technically they were the rules, but all it did was piss people off, and make them less inclined to give all the extra time they had always done as a matter of course. New head now (and deputy ) and it's SO DIFFERENT. Her attitude is that a happy staff leads to a happy school so, if there's a workable solution then fine. No ones's counting points, or abusing the system and it is SUCH a relief. And the school benefits.

squeakypop · 05/11/2008 18:49

You should be able to get time off in lieu. I've known this to happen plenty of times in teaching.

If he is willing to pay you supply rates, he should be willing ot pay a supply teacher for the day.

Littlefish · 05/11/2008 19:27

Sorry Squeakypop and Clam, but I disagree.

The HT has already offered to pay SmartieJake for the additional days she's doing.

Time off in lieu is obviously not something that the school does, and I can see why the HT does not want to set a precedent by giving SJ the time off to go away for a long weekend. It's not like he's expecting her to work the additional days for nothing. He would be on a very sticky wicket if he was

Yes, she's going on the residential on her non working days, but that is her choice. Yes, it's down to the fact that she is dedicated to her job and committed to the children she teaches, but again, it is her choice.

SJ wants the school to change its policy to suit her, and they are saying no. It's as simple as that as far as I can see.

duckyfuzz · 05/11/2008 19:30

I think that given that he's agreed to pay you for the extra days YABU

Original poster

smartiejake · 05/11/2008 21:48

Actually it is not school policy or hasn't been in the past to have time off in leiu.

He has let both me and my job share do this quite a few times before.

We work the odd extra afternoon for various school functions such as the carol concert and extra rehearsals for the music festival we do in June (both music teachers too) and he has always been happy for us to take another afternoon off elsewhere. What we do on those afternoons off has never been discussed. As I said before- if I hadn't told him what it was for it would not have been an issue.

Doesn't matter now as I have organised it with my job share and she's pleased as it means she can go to see "Take That" in July

OP posts:

pointydog · 05/11/2008 21:54

you have plummetted in my estimation

MsEla · 06/11/2008 11:21

I'm a public school teacher in who put in a request for time off from work to get married. It's a destination wedding in one state followed by a second reception in another state so I need almost 2 weeks off - no way around it. I was told yesterday that my request was DENIED. For my own wedding! This is far from over...

pointydog · 06/11/2008 20:33

I know someone who was told to arrange her wedding in the holidays.

twinsetandpearls · 06/11/2008 20:34

MrsEla why not plan your wedding in the holidays?

Littlefish · 06/11/2008 21:07

I agree with twinset MsEla. I'm really curious as to why you didn't book it in the holidays, or at least, get agreement before booking it.

When you start teaching, you know that you will be required in termtime.

twinsetandpearls · 06/11/2008 22:28

And as a public school teacher she gets longer holidays

TheFallenMadonna · 06/11/2008 22:31

Are you American MsEla?

squeakypop · 06/11/2008 22:34

It sounds like MsEla is in the USA, so a public school teacher is actually a state school teacher.

USA holidays tend to be a long period in the summer (8 - 10 weeks) and much shorter breaks during the year.

MsEla · 07/11/2008 02:09

I am an American teacher - just needing to vent frustrations. My fiancee is in the military armed forces so his schedule comes before mine - the date was best for him and suited me (if not my job) just fine. Besides, it's near impossible to have a holiday wedding here in the states - everything is booked for parties and is very expensive. Regardless of when it is, there is no reason I shouldn't be able to take an unpaid leave of absence for this important event. I have a feeling that it will come down to the ultimatum of giving me the time off or finding a permanent replacement. Those are the only two options I'll agree to.

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