Q for union reps

[Malbecfan]

My school doesn't seem to have a union rep so I'm hoping someone here can help me.

I work p/t. I have a year 7 tutor group that was foisted on me (previously had y11 and y10). I share them with another teacher. We divide the registrations 50:50 but I teach them PSHE.

There is an "activity day" in the summer. Traditionally tutors go with their TG. Except I don't want to. I don't want to turn up at 7:45 at school, an hour earlier than normal, drive a bloody minibus or my car for 90 minutes, watch them doing rafting or gorge-walking then drive them back again, returning to school around 6.30pm. I see 2 GCSE groups once per fortnight and it's that day - they won't be on study leave. I have an ankle full of metal and actively avoid anything with uneven ground. I detest watersports and anything like this. Can my school insist I go? It is my day to register them, but we are both in school that day. Registration lasts less than 20 minutes. TIA

It’s not a union issue really is it? Does the shared tutor have GCSE groups that day? If not, ask on those grounds not to go. The other tutor might even want to go.

The issue is if neither of you want to do it and both have GCSE classes, which case, unless you can argue on medical grounds, it might just be one of those things you have to suck up.

Is it not a union issue expecting me to work an hour before normal and almost 3 after? The shared tutor also has groups they don't want to miss. It's the way it has just been expected that I'll do it rather than a conversation: would you like to do it? Would you mind? Do you have other commitments? Last year, I would not have been able to do it as I had other family things on that I don't see why I should re-arrange.

I am usually someone who gives up all their free time to do stuff to help the kids. I go on a residential every year connected to my subject and give up some of my summer holiday for it. I'm always asked about that one before the kids get to hear of it, so I can decline if I want to. This thing has been imposed on me and I really don't want to go.

If it's directed time then yes they can ask you to go.

You can ask them to do a risk assessment to ensure your safety with your ankle.

I hope your tutor group don't get the vibe they were "foisted" on you. Those students are just as important as y10 and y11