Don't make me run!!

[Auntlinny]

A colleague is having some time off and i have taken over his class for 12 weeks for four days a week, as well as stepping in as acting head teacher. The age group is older than my usual class, although not a problem for me. However, a couple of parents come into school three times a week and take the kids cross country running. i am expected to go too. Help - i cannot run,. Never have been able to. AND (and this is probably an excuse) I had three major abdominal operations last year and running really aggravates my scar tissue, which is significant. We went running yesterday and i walked very quickly at the back. i had a couple of the slowest kids with me who had to run to keep up. One of the parents had a right go at me about not running and how it wasn't worth the bother if i wasn't going to run too. Are teachers REALLY expected to be doing everything the kids do? I am dreading the next run as, really, i cannot run for toffee.

Tell parent to Sod off. Ops or no ops this is not your remit. Maybe swap with a sporty colleague if kids will miss out if you're needed to make ratios?

Um.. No!

Acting head teacher you say?!

Don't let the parent bully you. Instead invite them in to resolve the situation- any solution will do as long as it puts you ack in control!

No you are not needed to run. If they want to come in and do running they can. You should not be hurting yourself because of it. This smacks of a time time to delegate - do you have a PE coordinator or TA that might be willing to help out? I would not expect parents being rude to me like that either (I am a teacher so I know parents in school can be a blessing and a curse), I would ask them to stop helping if they can not speak politely to me as a member of staff.
I am very on your behalf! Hope you get it sorted.

I am more than happy to go but not to run. Sadly, no one to do this in my place. Other teachers are with their classes and only one ta, who is not young! I am only acting ht out of goodwill. Just holding the fort. Prefer teaching by a long chalk. Don't want to say sod off though. Need a tactful, brief, firm response!

Use the explanation that due to old injury, you are unable to run.
FFS, if you are acting head teacher you are going to need a backbone, how dare a parent be that rude to you?

What about offering to take the class of a teacher who might be happy to run while they have your class for running?
What is the situation with the headship? TBH although I am very sympathetic about the running your attitude to the headship sounds pretty poor, I hope they find some good leadership soon. Poor staff!

Expected or required?

This is riculous.
It is no one else's business if you run or not.
You are not obliged to do anything except supervise.
You did not set up this club, you are doing them a favour.
This activity risks your health. Don't do it.
A parent 'having a right go at you' is unacceptable. How dare he. My head would have told him if it happened again he would be banned from the premises.
I would ask to speak to him in private. Explain that you did not appreciate being spoken to in that aggressive manner ( in front of the kids?). If your happy to tell him explain about the surgery. That should shut him up.

Actually i would find this very odd (as a parent) to see the teachers running too.

Can you not just ask parents to volunteer ?

Yeah, you cant say sod off but if you are not up to it then you just cant do it. Simples.

Excuse me briefcase, you know nothing about my leadership, nor the staff in the school where I work. I am filling in and DOING EVERYONE A FAVOUR in a difficult situation. The fulltime head will be back when she is able. in the meantime i am ensuring that staff have a smooth working day, people continue to be paid who need to be paid and most importantly, the children's quality of education is assured. AND i am a teaching a new and challenging class. However, you will actually find that I wasn't asking you about this issue, rather trying to work out a neat and fuss free response to a dilemma in a neutral forum. I raised my eyebrows at the parent concerned and walked away but I want something better next time. Can I remind you that this is not AIBU.

And thanks Smarties. Like you say, I intend to remind some people that I did not set up this activity and my responsibility ends at supervision. i think i shall take this approach - even without the surgery I am a rubbish runner!

Hear hear

Can you Look into getting an external qualified person to take it. If you have staff off sick and are all taking on extra responsibilities then you can't do it all.

Could another school help out - if you are a primary could a secondary school send a pe teacher for an hour or two for the few months ? Is there room in the budget to employ someone from a sporting organisation/council to cover the class ?

Otherwise cancel the club - if there is no-one to do it then that's what has to be done.