Strike question

[rebl]

My understanding was that striking teachers classes couldn't be covered by supply teachers or other teachers in the school or TA's.

Is that correct? What, in reality would happen if this was done? As a parent should I care that this is what it seems is going to happen? The letter clearly says that all children will be taught that day by other staff. The normal TA's will be in school.

rebl "So they'll all be in the hall watching a dvd all day"

But those parents who view school as free childcare probably won't care about that.

They had a former teacher on BBC thus morning who said using parents to cover was too risky as "parents aren't safe".

They are not going to win hearts and minds with statements like that! You'd have thought that it would be easy to make reasonable points about why the use of parents isn't the right thing to do without branding them all as dangerous.

Her choice of words wasn't very good but I think the point is that many parents won't be familiar with all the H&S procedures that teachers have to follow and that could put them and the pupils in "danger". What would your reaction be, for example, if a pupil bit your finger to the bone?
How many parents would be happy looking after large groups of secondary age pupils alone? as the suggestion is that one person can look after all children who don't fall within the infant class size limit ...

You would also hear her say that although she is retired the pension she is receiving and thought she would continue to receive is going to be decreased

When speaking to the public, it is not sufficient to be right, you also need to be persuasive. Both that point, and the others she made, lost the impact they otherwise should have had because of her unreasonable choice of language.

I think I'm correct in saying the lady interviewed is a former award winning head teacher

She was - doesn't automatically make her a persuasive speaker to a televisual audience. Her performance was unhelpful.

I would agree that her words weren't well chosen in this case

At least half a day is better than nothing! Parents can work around with sharing care etc.

Teachers are completely undermining the standard of the profession - and this is something that can never be regained. Just look how the EIS union in Scotland has completely destroyed the Scottish Education system which had built up an enviable reputation across the world - but no more.

Then we have the 'rules' that a teacher cannot cover for a striking teacher, and the allowable people that can cover - pathetic and it has more place in playground rather than classroom.

However, it is good to see teachers can still contribute for Christine Blower's pension - equivalent to 28% of her salary. Talk about being taken for a ride!!

"At least half a day is better than nothing! Parents can work around with sharing care etc."

That assumes that the Heads want to make things easier for parents. Which, as many of them are also likely to be taking strike action in the next few months for the same reasons, is a vain hope. The whole point of any strike is to cause inconvenience in order to put across a point. Why would Head Teachers be interested in minimising that inconvenience, when the only reason they're not striking themselves (this time) is because they haven't had their ballot yet?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13918723

Can't think of any HTs who would actually take any advice from Gove round here. What an idiot.

No point in assuming that staff on the leadership team can cover classes of striking teachers...in my school, 2 of the 4 SLT members are also full time class teachers. The other SLT members are the Head and Deputy. The Deputy and one of the teachers will be on strike.

We would only have two classes in school so have closed to pupils. Those teachers who are not striking, and the support staff, will be in school that day.

I'm SLT and a member of the ATL other members of the SLT are in the NUT.

I am SLT - Head and Deputy are NAHT, we 3 others are NUT.

Whatever your concerns now, it won't be long before the Head Teachers go on strike. In fact, many of them are set to lose huge amounts if the government proposals go through.