Page 2 | Extra Bank Holiday

Oncemoreuntothebreachagain · 2022-05-14T09:09:49+00:00

Very simple one. Are you getting the extra Bank Holiday? Either on the day itself or rearranged as a day off at some other point in the school year? We aren’t (Primary school) and I’m feeling a bit grumpy!

Original poster

Oncemoreuntothebreachagain · 18/05/2022 19:45

Well got an answer today. The day has been taken off inset. Lots of “we made this clear earlier on in the year” which no one recalls at all.
Only after did I realise that this means not only have the children not had their day but the support staff that don’t come to all 5 days training haven’t had their day either.
Now stuck between the moral imperative of speaking up again and the practical issue of pissing him off so much he makes life difficult.

OP posts:

MrsHamlet · 18/05/2022 19:49

Ask your union regional office for support

NotAnFA · 18/05/2022 22:35

Oncemoreuntothebreachagain · 18/05/2022 19:45

Well got an answer today. The day has been taken off inset. Lots of “we made this clear earlier on in the year” which no one recalls at all.
Only after did I realise that this means not only have the children not had their day but the support staff that don’t come to all 5 days training haven’t had their day either.
Now stuck between the moral imperative of speaking up again and the practical issue of pissing him off so much he makes life difficult.

Not something they can do if the school is an LA one or another that claims to follow the STPCD as per this quote:
Working days
51.2. A teacher employed full-time must be available for work for 194 days for the school year beginning in 2021, of which:
a) 189 days must be days on which the teacher may be required to teach
pupils and perform other duties; and
b) 5 days must be days on which the teacher may only be required to perform
other duties;

So, if you are required to 'teach' 190 days that breaks the contract.

ThanksItHasPockets · 18/05/2022 22:38

Do you have a tame parent that you could tip off to generate a bit of outrage that the children aren’t getting their once-in-a-lifetime jubilee bank holiday and WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN etc etc?

Original poster

Oncemoreuntothebreachagain · 18/05/2022 22:41

Funny about the tame parent… I might have already set that dog running…

OP posts:

LyndaLaHughes · 19/05/2022 18:02

Oncemoreuntothebreachagain · 18/05/2022 19:45

Well got an answer today. The day has been taken off inset. Lots of “we made this clear earlier on in the year” which no one recalls at all.
Only after did I realise that this means not only have the children not had their day but the support staff that don’t come to all 5 days training haven’t had their day either.
Now stuck between the moral imperative of speaking up again and the practical issue of pissing him off so much he makes life difficult.

Not allowed. The children are supposed to get the day too. Your school is in breach of the directive from the DFE.

Teachertotutor · 19/05/2022 18:11

Just putting the other side...teachers are already getting both bank holidays off within half term. My kids' school has now taken a day off the summer term to give to the teachers, meaning that all working parents now need to find an extra day of childcare, thereby negating the bank holiday for them! So teachers get double the days off and other working parents get none.

ThanksItHasPockets · 19/05/2022 20:58

There is no 'other side'. OP's school is in breach of a statutory directive from the DfE. Working parents who are unhappy with it should take their grievance directly to central government.

I'm a working parent. My children's school is taking the day on 22 July when I will be at work and I have had to make childcare arrangements just like everyone else. It doesn't mean that OP and the children she teaches should be done out of their day off.

Meredusoleil · 20/05/2022 19:30

Why do we only get one day off? Haven't the government given 2 extra bank holidays during the May half-term??

Takeachance18 · 20/05/2022 21:38

No, one is the bank holiday that would have been the Monday in half term, so there is only 1 extra day.

Meredusoleil · 20/05/2022 21:51

Takeachance18 · 20/05/2022 21:38

No, one is the bank holiday that would have been the Monday in half term, so there is only 1 extra day.

Oh yes! I forgot the Monday bank holiday had been moved 🤦

LyndaLaHughes · 21/05/2022 00:07

Teachertotutor · 19/05/2022 18:11

Just putting the other side...teachers are already getting both bank holidays off within half term. My kids' school has now taken a day off the summer term to give to the teachers, meaning that all working parents now need to find an extra day of childcare, thereby negating the bank holiday for them! So teachers get double the days off and other working parents get none.

No. There is an extra bank holiday that teachers would not benefit from because it is already half term. When everyone else is getting an extra day's holiday, then teachers should get it too. There have been extra bank holidays before and teachers have always just missed out. Teachers have worked their guts out over covid so they bloody well deserve it. If you don't like the way the DFE have organised it- take it up with them- but it isn't the fault of teachers and suggesting they shouldn't get it is unreasonable .

Original poster

Oncemoreuntothebreachagain · 28/05/2022 19:32

A final update. Had meeting with head and put the case. They admitted that they had taken the day off training. I pointed out that the DfE specify it had to be off the teaching days. I also pointed out that only those adults in school that do the 5 training days currently benefit so not the catering staff or TAs or maintenance staff would get the extra day.
Took a couple of days to come back but after discussion with academy head (that we are joining are ARE all getting the day) it has been decided to reduce next years teaching days to 189 instead. I think that’s a good outcome given where we are. Thanks everyone for your advice and support!

OP posts:

MrsHamlet · 28/05/2022 23:54

A good outcome maybe, but contrary to the requirement to do 190 teaching days in a normal year. I'd not be at all surprised if they are forced to go back on that.

TortolaParadise · 04/06/2022 08:42

Yes we are!

LyndaLaHughes · 04/06/2022 09:34

They are on really shaky ground doing that. It is supposed to be this year so it will be in breach of requirements next year. Id be putting my foot down and insisting they did it this year because chances are they won't be able to do it next year and you lose out.