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Primary education

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Original poster

Will schools reschedule parent/ teacher meetings on strike day?

79 replies

PastSellByDate · 04/07/2014 10:17

Just that really. Our end of year parent/ teacher meetings are scheduled for July 10th - which is meant to be a national strike day www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27923260

Our school haven't made a decision on what to do yet - which is understandable I don't know whether they know how many teachers will be striking yet - but we parents are now wondering if we'll actually ever have the end of year parent/ teacher meeting.

What is your school doing if you're in this situation?

Thanks

OP posts:
NickNacks · 04/07/2014 20:31

Firefighters (LFB) will still answer a 999 call even when on strike.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 04/07/2014 20:42

They have to answer the call and to ensure cover, but I know a couple of LFB fire fighters who are concerned about the level of training of the people responding to the call during the previous strikes. I don't know if that has changed. I suspect there's a reason they are urging people to be extra careful during the strike periods.

Oodlives · 04/07/2014 20:44

Most of the support staff unions (unison, GMB, unite) will be out which is what's forcing schools to close. One odd teacher doesn't make that much difference Wink

mrz · 04/07/2014 20:55

The Fire Service have a legal duty to provide basic level of service to the public during industrial action ... simply because fire kills!

Feenie · 04/07/2014 21:00

If you can convince me that your dc will perish if I am not there to teach them on Thursday, then I will be in like a shot.

Feenie · 04/07/2014 21:01

However, it will make no difference since the caretaker won't open up. Grin

HSMMaCM · 04/07/2014 21:06

Our school is closed but the open evening is still on.

mrz · 04/07/2014 21:11

No caretaker is a H&S issue no teachers are an inconvenience

threepiecesuite · 04/07/2014 21:14

Our school is closed but 2 scheduled trips are still taking place.

NickNacks · 04/07/2014 21:29

Wow lots of teachers here who sound like they give a shit Hmm

TheEnchantedForest · 04/07/2014 21:31

I don't get why you are puzzled (is that the puzzled face?) that teachers care? It's really not the sort of job you go into if you don't?

threepiecesuite · 04/07/2014 21:31

If site staff are on strike, can the Head open up? We're in a large pfb new-build, lots of gates, shutters and alarms.

threepiecesuite · 04/07/2014 21:32

Ha, pfi, not pfb

NickNacks · 04/07/2014 21:33

It's a sceptical face.

Frontier · 04/07/2014 21:34

FWIW teacher's terms and conditions are amazing, even the new ones are far and away better than almost anyone else. I don't support teachers objecting to the changes to their pensions etc, I think they need to grow up and realise how good they have it but I do support the right of anyone to take industrial action as they see fit.

TheEnchantedForest · 04/07/2014 21:37

are you joking?
research what is actually happening.
What excellent graduate would consider doing a PGCE knowing that they could now be sitting on £20k for the rest of their career (massive changes to pay progression).
I am lucky that I am a senior leader on £45k plus. there is no way I would have considered the profession if I were a new graduate now.

Feenie · 04/07/2014 21:39

We're a PFI school and the head isn't even allowed a key!

rollonthesummer · 04/07/2014 21:51

FWIW teacher's terms and conditions are amazing, even the new ones are far and away better than almost anyone else.

Really?

threepiecesuite · 04/07/2014 21:57

The pay and conditions are not good. Just to keep up with the marking cycle demanded by my Head puts me below national minimum wage.

Feenie · 04/07/2014 21:58

Would you like to tell us which of the terms and conditions you think are amazing?

There are many amazing things I love about teaching. My terms and conditions don't come into them though.

TheEnchantedForest · 04/07/2014 22:02

Just to make clear. I agree with Feenie in that there are many things I love about teaching, namely the children. I love being in the classroom, teaching. This part is amazing I will grant you. Unfortunately it is about 40% of the job.

Debs75 · 04/07/2014 22:05

Our primary is closing as it is some support staff who are striking not the actual teachers. The report night is still going ahead as planned as the teaching staff are still going in and doing planning for next year.
DS's school are striking but not sure who is on strike. It is a special school so any strike usually results in closure as there is a huge amount of staff needed for safe practice.

Nicknacks You could strike if you wanted to but as you put it would not benefit you as you would lose a days pay and possible customers.

Frontier · 04/07/2014 22:52

Teacher terms are amazing, defined benefit pension schemes when the vast majority of the workforcee lost this years ago, sick pay based on total years service, rather than continuous service like everyone else, increments still being granted for time served rather than performance (even if the system is suposed to have changed, heads haven't ) tla handed out like sweets for very little extra real responsibility (certainly true in primary schools)...

Feenie · 04/07/2014 22:59

increments still being granted for time served rather than performance (even if the system is suposed to have changed, heads haven't ) tla handed out like sweets for very little extra real responsibility (certainly true in primary schools)...

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Thought so.

Go and do some research on pay since Sept 2013.

Frontier · 04/07/2014 23:04

I know exactly what Im talking about. since 2013 schools have been responsible for their own pay policies which are supposed to include an element of prp . All the schools i work with have adopted the old system and all their teachers received their normal increments last Sep and will again this Sep