Training/meetings after working hours?

[middleoftheroadlife]

I've just started a new job in a school (not teaching) and I've found communication pretty poor so far. I have 3 kids who need picking up from school after I finish but I'm being told about twilights or meetings with very little notice (last time 1/2 hours) and before that the day before. I have no childcare apart from my mum who is not always available. I took the job because it fitted in well and I could just manage all the drop offs and pick ups. I don't know how/if I'm paid for this overtime yet. It seems to be becoming a regular thing.
The contract just says what my normal weekly working hours are and nothing about attending extra training/meetings outside of these hours.
Some others in my position are contracted to work later and therefore paid until then.
If I were on a better salary, I wouldn't mind but it's next to minimum wage and we are not even paid for lunch breaks.
Any advice?

I hate the twilight shit arse training I’ve had to do 3. All because some arses want an extra day at home after Xmas hols. piss off. Always on the winter when it’s pigging dark at 4. And you can guarantee someone ask Qs at the end or take 15 mins to smoke a fag so we all have to leave late. It’s bollocks. They should do it on Teams.

Say no. Re-iterate you may be able to get cover if you have notice.

If you're having to stay, unpaid, then they are effectively paying below minimum wage.

checkyourpay.campaign.gov.uk/#are_you_23_or_over_

Tell them you can't do it, or report them to HMRC.

Fanny, couldn't agree more! We're supposedly getting the last day off but I'll still be worse off as others are paid to work later.
I'll check my payslip at the end of the month. It's such a headache and stress trying to work around it with 3 kids in 2 different schools.

I think the first thing to do is find out if you have missed out on some comms which sets out all of the meeting/training dates for this term or even the year. It might be that the school things you have had notice but you weren't sent the email or whoever was supposed to tell you haven't.
The next question to ask is whether these meetings/training sessions are compulsory for you.
If they say yes, then check you will be paid or at least get time off in lieu (which you can then use for attending things at your DC's school). If they say no, ask whether, if you choose to attend, whether you will be paid or given time off in lieu or if you are effectively volunteering to be there.

A days notice is not enough. Politely decline due to child care issues. Add that with notice you may be able to get childcare but you’re solely dependant on your mum and her availability. Also ask if they can clarify payment for any meetings attended. Ask if you need to complete a timesheet to receive payment for the hours as your contract seems different to the others

There is likely to be a diary/calendar that has the meetings on it. FWIW we have meetings on the same day every single week for an hour after school. There are also regular 2 hr twilight training sessions.

All of these are on the calendar for the year. I suspect you'll need to check. They are mandatory.