The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Rosie has just called from school to tell me that she has a letter to say that school may or may not be closed on Thursday due to strike action - it depends whether they have enough staff to cover. Luckily she's old enough to look after herself for the day, but it's short notice and if she'd been younger it would have sent me into one trying to sort cover for that day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Rosie has just called from school to tell me that she has a letter to say that school may or may not be closed on Thursday due to strike action - it depends whether they have enough staff to cover. Luckily she's old enough to look after herself for the day, but it's short notice and if she'd been younger it would have sent me into one trying to sort cover for that day Yeah - it's ridiculous, they need to have a set date and stick to it rather than saying 'mmm well we could do...' for single parents especially, it's atrocious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 my schools closed! plus my mums taking me out on wednesday to the Norfolk Show; 2 days off this week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 The 2 schools that mine go to are pretty much open as usual, except for yr9 at the girls' school. This has been on the cards for a couple of weeks now, but the schools are taking their time with making their final announcements trying to find cover if they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvonne Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Back in the 80s our school sent certain classes home with no warning and 3 of my classmates took a boat out onto the Solent and one of them was killed - this kind of action really is the last thing parents need at the moment ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 ours is closed; letter came out last week. altho only 40% of staff are on strike, some of the remainder are union members and have been told not to work; the remainder are not enough to cover all the pupils in the school on Elf n Safety grounds. I dont mind really, at least we have a decision. and as Michael Gove's suggestion that parents could go in for the day to help out - does he a) not realise how many parents work? b) not realise that many parents have children in other schools which may be affected and/or need picking up and c) has he forgotten about the CRB checks? silly idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Yeah - it's ridiculous, they need to have a set date and stick to it rather than saying 'mmm well we could do...' for single parents especially, it's atrocious. Its also ridiculous that teachers, which educate the nation and who a been on a pay freeze for the last few years loose out on their pensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 To be fair on the schools NUT and ATL members have been advised by their unions NOT to inform their schools of their intentions on strike action. Teachers will decide on the day. The school will then have to deal with the staff that they have (or don't have). Teachers from other unions (nasuwt mainly) are not allowed to cover for teachers on strike. However the senior management are allowed. So it depends how many teachers in a school are NUT or ATL as the headteacher has to assume all of them are striking if that makes sense. What is interesting is the head teachers union are balloting strike action too, not sure what would happen if the heads all strike Clearly teachers can't do their job, maybe the governors would step in but they are usually pretty busy people too. As a mum and a teacher I can see both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 What will a strike achieve? Chaos..yes. A government rethink...not likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 Yeah - it's ridiculous, they need to have a set date and stick to it rather than saying 'mmm well we could do...' for single parents especially, it's atrocious. Its also ridiculous that teachers, which educate the nation and who a been on a pay freeze for the last few years loose out on their pensions. *ahem* we've had pay freezes for the last two years as well - it's not just the teachers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 hers union are balloting strike action too, not sure what would happen if the heads all strike Clearly teachers can't do their job, maybe the governors would step in but they are usually pretty busy people too. Surely the deputy heads/assistant heads (maybe even heads of year) could step in and take over for one day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 *ahem* we've had pay freezes for the last two years as well - it's not just the teachers. Sorry, read teachers as public sector workers. What is your job Clare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 What will a strike achieve? Chaos..yes. A government rethink...not likely. I think someone needs to work very hard at conjuring up some money out of thin air - and quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 *ahem* we've had pay freezes for the last two years as well - it's not just the teachers. Sorry, read teachers as public sector workers. What is your job Clare? I'm an office manager for a firm of construction consultants... managing 7 office around the country. Statutory 20 days hols and 40 hour weeks as with most folk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 hers union are balloting strike action too, not sure what would happen if the heads all strike Clearly teachers can't do their job, maybe the governors would step in but they are usually pretty busy people too. Surely the deputy heads/assistant heads (maybe even heads of year) could step in and take over for one day? I'm not sure tbh. In our place a lot of smt are in the heads union too What will a strike achieve? Chaos..yes. A government rethink...not likely. I don't disagree, but what would you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 I actually think the current pension scheme is unworkable. We are living longer so it makes sense to up the retirement age. However paying more and getting less on top of this seems unfair. The better the working conditions/ pay / pension we offer teachers the better qualified and experienced graduates will be tempted toward the profession (and STAY in the profession). It stands to reason. Pay peanuts = get monkeys! I don't want a monkey teaching my son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Surely the deputy heads/assistant heads (maybe even heads of year) could step in and take over for one day? Not necessarily, there are limits as to the cover that deputies and assistants can provide for a striking head. I'm not on strike, but as you said, what other action is there? As for Michael Gove, words fail me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 As for Michael Gove, words fail me. Oh yes!!! I actually think we should work to rule. But that would cause more inconvenience for parents. Most don't realise how much the country relies on the 'little extras' teachers do for no money or thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majorbloodnock Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Yeah - it's ridiculous, they need to have a set date and stick to it rather than saying 'mmm well we could do...' for single parents especially, it's atrocious. Its also ridiculous that teachers, which educate the nation and who a been on a pay freeze for the last few years loose out on their pensions. With respect, Fred, the morality of the cause has nothing to do with the lack of basic planning and organisation that Claret's daughter's school is demonstrating. This is one specific school failing to give a clear statement either way about what it is doing, and that's poor. My son's school has sent out a notification telling us all which classes will be open and which will not. Irrespective of my views are on the strike itself, that's sensible planning with all uncertainty removed. If one school can do it, they all can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 But they won't know which teachers are striking until the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 But they won't know which teachers are striking until the day I don't really know but on the last strike my school employed 19 extra cover teachers, so maybe schools employ extra to make sure lessons certain still happen? My school said today that it will be open on thursday apart for year 9s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 But they won't know which teachers are striking until the day Not in theory, but most schools sent out notifications at the end of last week to allow parents to plan. I work in one and my sons attend 2 others - they've all had to assume that all staff who are in the NUT or ATL will be on strike, even if that turns out to be inaccurate on the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 That is a bit naughty. My understanding is no teachers of a different union are allowed to cover a striking teacher. Otherwise all schools would just get the rest of the teachers to cover classes or get supply in as you say This defeats the object. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 But they won't know which teachers are striking until the day Not in theory, but most schools sent out notifications at the end of last week to allow parents to plan. I work in one and my sons attend 2 others - they've all had to assume that all staff who are in the NUT or ATL will be on strike, even if that turns out to be inaccurate on the day. You're quite right. Most heads are assuming all NUTs and ATLs are striking. Some heads are waiting to find out for sure I know some members that are not striking but haven't told the head yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 (edited) Yeah - it's ridiculous, they need to have a set date and stick to it rather than saying 'mmm well we could do...' for single parents especially, it's atrocious. Its also ridiculous that teachers, which educate the nation and who a been on a pay freeze for the last few years loose out on their pensions. Hear hear, especially when the teachers pension scheme was overall in 2007 and has enough in it to pay all pension for years to come. It is just an easy tax! If pay and conditions are so marvellous, then why aren't people queuing up to teach? This September will have smallest intake of student teachers, I can't see this improving if this Government get their way! The thought of teachers aged 66 forced to be in front of a class is not going to be conducive to quality education, they won't cope as it is not a gentle or forgiving job. How else can teachers make there point without direct action? Edited June 27, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
