Where do I stand with Parents' Evenings?

[Thisreallyisafarce]

I am a part-time teacher on 0.6. My school published Parents' Evening dates at the start of the year, four in total for my classes, all on days when I work. I was happy to attend all of them.

The school has now doubled the number of Parents' Evenings, so there are two per year group. Again, these are all on the same day of the week, so, in terms of my working days, I would be expected to attend.

Each time there is a Parents' Evening, DH has to take a day off work to have DD, as the distance from home is such that I wouldn't have time to take her home from childcare and then get back to school for the Parents' Evening.

I have therefore said to my line manager that I would like to discuss attending these Parents' Evenings in proportion with my salaried time (0.6).

Where do I stand?

Thanks if anybody has advice.

Are you in a union?
I'm 0.6 and have had to miss the odd parents evening when they haven't been ony work days but this year they're all on my work days so I'm in a similar position. Not sure what I'm going to do.
What I do know is that it's bang out of order to change the calendar after the start of the school year.they can't just add extra directed hours whenever they like!
In your shoes I'd check with my union but most likely just say I'd do the original evenings but not the extras because I don't have childcare on those days.

CuckooCuckooClock

I am. I might speak to the union anyway, as I agree that the published dates at the start of the year should be final.

siakcaci

You hope I'm not. Have you checked the Parents' Evening dates? 😂

Not sure why so many people are expecting you to agree to what is in effect a change in your t & c's without question!

siakcaci
The OP is seeking advice. I don't get the need for personal attacks.

Catmint

Agreed!

Only in teaching would this attitude be displayed. Posters glad op isn't their child's teacher?
OP IS PART TIME

That's part time across the board. Not part time teaching, full time directed time.

It's the school's problem to sort the parents nights etc not the OP.

It's not that hard to understand.

I WOULD like the OP to be my dd's teacher.

She was more than happy to participate in the usual 4 days a year parents' evenings- which is more than once a term. Now this has doubled, and even the f/t teachers may be finding it a bit much, and she is now questioning this given she only works three days a week. I think having a conversation about what is essential and what is desirable is extremely important here.

It's very important that part-time workers do part-time work, not only that but their boundaries and legal obligations are also recognized. This benefits all of us, but especially women, who tend to work more part time.

Could you pick up your child and have your husband collect him/her from the school where you work just before parents evening starts? Or pick him/her up and pay a sensible sixth former to babysit at school while you work?

The OP is seeking advice. I don't get the need for personal attacks

Perhaps if you read you would see it was a response. I didn't actually offer advice. The OP was full of issues regarding childcare. I just pointed out it wasn't a factor. Then I got the eye roll. Now I can add to it the confused emoji.

All for offering advice. It may not have been helpful, but it wasn't intended as a criticism.

Can’t you ask to attend 60% of each evening - and miss the first ‘40%’ of each evening delivering your DD home?

Only in teaching would this attitude be displayed. Posters glad op isn't their child's teacher?
OP IS PART TIME

That wasn't the reason for my comment.

I *did offer advice

Urgh! If you don’t put other people’s children and families before your own, how dare you consider yourself a decent teacher! Absolutely everything that is wrong about this profession in today’s world and why more and more good quality, experienced staff are walking away. We are not far off schools being wholly staffed by a head teacher with 5 years experience, NQTs and a couple of RQTs as deputies.

GemmeFatale

No. As I said upthread, the only option is for my DH to take the day off.

Paying a 6th former to look after my child would involve a massive conflict of interests and my toddler missing her bedtime by several hours. It's a brave 6th former who would volunteer for that. 😂

On a more serious note, I am not going to make my child suffer so I can attend work events I am not paid for.

CanoeingInCocoPop

Could do. But then I end up staying later than every other member of staff, or having to tell half my class they can't have appointments. Parents not happy, teacher not happy. Doesn't sound like the solution to me.

Anyway, I am not looking for a way to make this happen. I just wanted to know what my obligations were.

Orchiddingme

Thank you.

I think to be fair originally siakcaci did not attack the OP but stated their issues with childcare were not relevant as posters kept suggesting ways to get round the childcare issue..... in reality the OP should not have to solve this issue as they are part time. I thought siak was trying to back this up..... but maybe I read it wrongly.

I don’t know the answer to your dilemma OP but as a parent and fellow part timer I feel for you! I often find I have to go in for training, meetings etc and never get the time back or any flexibility coming the other way.

As a parent if you are part time and cannot do the parents evenings I would expect the school to sort this out without pushing you into working over and above your contracted hours.

TheLuckyMrsPine
It was more the oh I'm glad you're not my child's teacher. It's such a pointless dig that doesn't help the OP at all.

never get the time back or any flexibility coming the other way.

That's partly the issue here. I am not going to bend over backwards when, as has been the case in recent memory, nobody does the same for me.

I can't believe I am having to fend off suggestions that I pay someone (and someone completely unsuitable) to have my child so I can work unpaid.

Only in teaching!!

thelucky

That's exactly what I was trying to do/say.

And that’s the problem isn’t it .... I am shocked to see so many people suggesting that you should inconvenience yourself to sit there and tell parents about their child’s progress, when you will not be being paid to do so!
If you are unable to do it then that is all there is to it and the school will need to resolve it. It is not your problem.

Would the person/people who take the other 0.4 be happy to take some of these meetings off your hands even if they aren't expected too on those days? Perhaps it may help if there's willing from other staff to pick up.

OhLookHeKickedTheBall

Unfortunately my timetable doesn't work that way. I am the only teacher.