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Primary education

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Original poster

School strikes: what's the consequences?

67 replies

Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 20:31

Serious question: what is the consequence of children missing a vital day of education through strikes/ votes etc to schools/ teachers? In the same way as me allowing a day off for something?

OP posts:
Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 22:42

My question was not relating to fines. Twice I have asked the question :

In which case that would take me back to the above question of So if all the parents of all the children in a particular class decided to have the same week off would that be the same?

But no one is responding to that. It is just being assumed that the issue is with fines or childcare which is not the case.

OP posts:
HandWash · 08/07/2016 22:54

So if all the parents of all the children in a particular class decided to have the same week off would that be the same?

I suppose so Confused, but that would never happen.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 22:55

So it would be classed that no learning opportunities had been lost therefore there would be no consequence to anyone?

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MoggyP · 08/07/2016 22:56

It's such an unlikely circumstance, a whole week. Everyone.

And not a great comparison to strikes, which are one of two days.

Yes, it could be planned for. But as it's much longer than number of days lost to strikes, then I expect that it's much more likely to lead to other things (eg plays, trips) being squeezed out.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:00

How about if all the parents of all the children in a particular class all decided to have one day off together? Would that be deemed that no learning opportunities have been lost and therefore there would be no consequence to anyone?

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Feenie · 08/07/2016 23:02

The teachers unions are usually pretty vocal, but do not seem to be taking issue with attendance policy.

If you mean holiday fines,the NUT are against them. As are most teachers.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:12

I do not mean fines. I am talking about equality. There being consequences to parents but no consequences to teachers/ schools for what is essentially the same thing.

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Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:14

Unless of course I am wrong and there are? Which is what I am trying to find out with the above question which as of yet remains unanswered...

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HandWash · 08/07/2016 23:18

Well the consequences for teachers striking against the cuts in education is that they don't get paid.

HuckleberryGin · 08/07/2016 23:19

I don't understand what you are asking. What consequences? The consequences of going on strike is losing a day's pay. The consequences for taking children out during term is a fine. That's it.

HuckleberryGin · 08/07/2016 23:20

Why should there be consequences for teachers when they don't make the rules or enforce the rules on fines?

HuckleberryGin · 08/07/2016 23:20

Or even schools don't make the rules. They have to enforce what the government tell them to. They don't want to.

Lilly948204 · 08/07/2016 23:21

The consequence is that teachers are fighting for the education of your children. They want the government to properly fund teaching, and work on keeping good teachers instead of attracting people into the profession for the wrong reasons. They want the government to stop turning schools into money making businesses, which is what academy's are. If your child misses out on one day of learning because of this they won't be allowed to fall behind in lessons, teachers have a responsibility to catch them up, and if they care enough to strike and lose pay then they care enough to make sure this doesn't negatively impact your child.

You're trying to make an issue where there isn't one. I think you should probably just be quiet now.

Lilly948204 · 08/07/2016 23:24

Regarding your question about all the parents taking their kids out on the same day, there wouldn't be any consequence in terms of loss of learning opportunities IF the teacher put in the extra effort to make sure they are caught up - like they do if they go on strike.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:27

Not being paid for not working is what you would find in any job- if you don't show up you don't earn your pay. Why should there be consequences for parents when they don't make the rules and also have to go along with what the government tell them to whether they agree or not?

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Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:29

However as I am unable to get a straight answer I can only presume that no there are no consequences to the teachers or schools when children miss a day of education because of strikes.

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Lilly948204 · 08/07/2016 23:32

Ps I feel it necessary to point out that teachers are there to educate your children, which the government is making harder and harder to do properly. We aren't there for free child care. Don't you find it slightly worrying that the teachers care more about your child's education than you do as a parent? This is something we should be fighting together, it shouldn't be parents making silly threads on mumsnet trying to make a point that isn't even relevant.

I guess the difference is this as teachers we don't just see your child, we see all the children we teach and all the children we will teach in future years. We see the bigger picture and we care about those kids that haven't even walked through our classroom doors yet. Unfortunately parents like you see an opportunity to make a silly argument.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:38

As I mentioned earlier childcare is not an issue for me. I have not once said that I disagree with the strikes. Or the reasons for them. I can categorically say that I would be quite happy for the profession to lose a teacher who can come out with the term ' parents like you' and judge somebodys parenting based purely on the fact that one issue is being challenged. Not once have I blamed teachers or schools themselves for any consequence that parents face. I am purely just looking for information.

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Lilly948204 · 08/07/2016 23:42

You seem to be struggling with what this word means so I thought I would put the definition up to help you out.

Consequence - a result or effect, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

Teachers - lose a day's pay, have extra work to do to make sure your child doesn't fall behind, gets stupid posts like this written about them on mumsnet

Schools - if they stay open like mine did then they have big staffing costs getting cover teachers in so parents like you don't winge because your free childcare has gone. 😭

Children - get a day off school, don't fall behind in work because teacher get them caught up.

Parents - OMG I have to be responsible for my child for a few more hours, it's so annoying, why do teachers do this? I don't care how my kid does in school or the education the government is providing for him and his future children and and children I just want him out of the house between 9-3 so I don't need to pay for childcare.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 08/07/2016 23:44

You obviously cannot read English.

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Lilly948204 · 08/07/2016 23:57

You said you presumed there are no consequences for teachers and schools, I have highlighted that there are (see above.)

You said why should parents have consequences - because this impacts your child's education and the education of your future grandchildren. You should be shouting as loud as we are - but as far as I can see you're just trying to make things more difficult for the teachers. Sorry if I got this wrong but your post has come across very hostile.

I'm not sure how else I can help you, you have picked up on the smallest phrase as a means to sack me without actually knowing anything about my teaching ability! And have then said that I can't read. I'll take this as a sign that you have lost the argument and are simply throwing insults around now. It would be fairly funny if I actually teach your child. I guess we will never know 😁

Lilly948204 · 08/07/2016 23:58

Ps, don't bother writing another insulting reply I won't be checking this thread again as I have more important things to do :-)

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 09/07/2016 00:00

And just to clarify I have never been fined. If I did take my child out of school and i was fined I would pay it without hesitation as I don't disagree with it. My son has had 2 days off school since September: one for a back injury and one because of striking. He is in top sets for all his subjects has never had a detention and does his homework with full support from me and my husband on the day he receives it. We both have full time professional jobs ( he as a chartered accountant me as an account manager for a finance company) so you are preaching to the converted on the importance of education. If your defensiveness is representative of the teaching profession then we have bigger problems than I first thought.

OP posts:
HopeClearwater · 09/07/2016 00:12

There being consequences to parents but no consequences to teachers/ schools for what is essentially the same thing.

It's not the same thing though, as many pp have pointed out to you. It seems to be you who does not understand English.

Original poster
Michaelsmummy2016 · 09/07/2016 00:16

i believe it is the same thing.

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