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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Scottish teachers strikes

591 replies

museumum · 28/01/2023 10:57

How have other Scots found the teachers strikes?
I’m seeing a lot of stress from English parents I know on Fb as well as on mn but it seems to me in my bit of Scotland parents have said “fair dos” to the teachers and just got in with things/arrangements quietly.

I’m not sure this is necessarily good for the teachers cause….

interested to hear from other Scots around the country….?

OP posts:
liveforsummer · 21/09/2023 20:34

MountedbyHarryWindsor · 21/09/2023 16:41

Bloody unions making decisions without actually asking their staff if they like the new offer or not. And I say this as a former unison rep!

They might like it, or not, but fucking ask them.

As far as I'm aware we will be balloted but among the people I know at work and in other schools in my local authority the decision is unanimous to reject the paltry offer

LoopyGremlin · 21/09/2023 21:13

100% @Boisey
I'm grateful my kids are quite far through the system. I'd be terrified if I had young children just starting their school career. Schools are unrecognisable from when I first started 20 years ago.

LoopyGremlin · 21/09/2023 21:15

Dilemmaemmaaa · 21/09/2023 20:28

Couldn’t agree more @Boisey 👏🏻

Teachers are leaving the profession at a terrifying rate. In my family there were four teachers, now all four of us have quit! There are easier ways to pay the bills than have to be the front of house person for all of that. I felt like I spent my full career just constantly covering for everyone else and making it look like I was responsible for all of that awful stuff. I’d spend hundreds of pounds (of my own money) every summer for the first few years to make sure I had a beautifully presented classroom and the children actually had pencils, pens etc to use. A few years in when my supplies had been completely wiped out, children had shown no respect for the things I’d bought and the disruptive kids had most likely launched most of them across my classroom, I decided to stop buying anything and they just went without. It meant we couldn’t even use their whiteboards for whole class numeracy lessons etc because they didn’t have a whiteboard pen. It’s tragic!

In the end it just wasn’t worth it anymore. I felt like I was only staying for the sake of the poor souls having to put up with the horrific behaviour in their classroom but eventually enough is enough. There’s been staff (usually support staff) badly injured in my school, some have even had to go to hospital. We’ve had windows smashed during violent incidents and things being thrown across the class are a daily occurrence.

I’ve just had to step out of the whole thing. I ended up really unwell and on a lot of anxiety medication. A few months after escaping leaving and I don’t need a single bit of anxiety medication and haven’t felt like I’m on the verge of a heart attack once! There will be a national crisis in 5-10 years when the wider population starts to realise what is actually going on in schools (particularly coming up from primary schools) and these children won’t be able to function in adult life 😔 It will be too late by then though

Glad to hear you're much better. I don't know how much longer I can continue teaching. I sleep well during the holidays and then have terrible insomnia during the term.

stonkytonk11 · 22/09/2023 07:45

Both my kids schools are staying open thankfully!

Ineedaholiday23 · 22/09/2023 10:14

So.. are they definitely going ahead for those that aren't opening?

JobMatch3000 · 22/09/2023 10:33

My friend's just told me with the school being closed she's taking the opportunity to take her DS to Tererife for a week! She's in Edinburgh so he'll "only" miss 1.5 days of lessons.

DinnaeFashYersel · 22/09/2023 10:51

Both my kids schools closed for 3 days

Original poster
museumum · 22/09/2023 11:43

Just had confirmation that schools are closing and work will be set on the homework app. I will wfh but am still considering taking the day off for a long cycle ride and castle visit or something on the Wednesday as more valuable than three days of primary school homework.

OP posts:
Radiat · 22/09/2023 12:32

I’ve received texts from my LA saying strikes are now suspended.

Vettrianofan · 22/09/2023 13:01

This is incredibly confusing. Wish it was a yes or no. I have two in secondary, two in primary. Learning packs issued out for the younger ones. Teams remote learning for one at secondary, one has to go in as usual (unaffected by strike action). What a shambles.

Vettrianofan · 22/09/2023 13:03

Radiat · 22/09/2023 12:32

I’ve received texts from my LA saying strikes are now suspended.

At least you know now. Not so clear cut for others.

Radiat · 22/09/2023 13:06

Very true! I should’ve added, this is NLC. Surprisingly on the ball…

Vettrianofan · 22/09/2023 13:09

We should all know by the end of today so we can all plan ahead (just like your situation @Radiat ).

Original poster
museumum · 22/09/2023 13:10

Radiat · 22/09/2023 12:32

I’ve received texts from my LA saying strikes are now suspended.

I don’t understand how it can be different in different LAs?

OP posts:
Vettrianofan · 22/09/2023 13:12

Infuriating isn't it @museumum . There just seems to be no rhyme or reason to who gets to carry on as normal.

Original poster
museumum · 22/09/2023 13:13

Sorry, I’ve read the new bbc article and understand now. I thought there would be members of all unions in all councils but it seems unison dominate in some not all.

OP posts:
Dilemmaemmaaa · 22/09/2023 13:27

@LoopyGremlin ☹️ so many people I know are the same. Life really is short, a job is only there to pay your bills and let you live the life you enjoy, if it’s affecting your whole life then it’s really not worth it. Join the Facebook group if you haven’t already (life after teaching).. genuinely life changing

Rae36 · 22/09/2023 13:30

I think it's only Unison that are still holding out. GMB and Unite have suspended industrial action while they consider the offer.

So it depends which is the biggest union in different council areas. Maybe even different schools next door to each other.

But I don't know if "suspend" means they could un-suspend action at 10pm on Monday evening and go on strike anyway.

Vettrianofan · 22/09/2023 14:53

Suspended. Schools in my area are all back as normal next week. Phew!

Vettrianofan · 22/09/2023 14:54

No need for learning packs now🎉

Heli1copter · 22/09/2023 16:06

Unison seems to be going ahead. EDC has closed all schools for 3 days and with closures anyway today and Monday for September weekend its an entire week off for the children.

We are taking a last minute cheap holiday so I actually don't care anymore. If I was conscientious and arranged to do wfh and supervise home learning for a P2 and a P4 at the same time I would not be looking forward to next week.

BlueThursday · 22/09/2023 16:56

EDC has advised all primaries and secondaries will be open

Heli1copter · 22/09/2023 17:20

Where is that advised @BlueThursday as I've heard nothing from the school

Heli1copter · 22/09/2023 18:26

Oh well looks like we'll have to explain 3 days of unauthorised absence now!