School closed. You have to make the time up in holidays!

Jomo

Surely the teachers aren't managed by the same people as the cleaners?

mrsmoneyworries

How would a closed school with full staff have a positive bearing on a parents childminding situation?

The school has been declared closed. That means no kids, but they are happy to have full staff in, i.e teachers, office/reception staff, kitchen staff (to cook what?), dinner ladies, cleaners etc.[/QUOTE]

I think you have read my post wrong here - what i am saying is if i had to take a days leave, especially unpaid for whatever reason, then If the school was open an extra day or 2 at the end of a term would help me to repay that time back without loosing money - do you understand now ??

I was not saying i expect teachers to go in, without any children, however, i am sure (based on my childrens school) that if staff were able to get in then what is the harm in doing so, as the schools are always saying they don't have enough time to do things.

I also think that teachers get alot of time off as it is - again based on my children's school, they will close a day early to do ridiculous tasks that could be done on the last day of term anyway. If they are going to finish that day early, then it should be worked into the holiday calendar - It is a nightmare for working parents, as our school in particular gives less than 48hrs notice for everything that goes on there !

looby75

Jomo wrote: »

Surely the teachers aren't managed by the same people as the cleaners?

at my mums school they are as it's a church school so they have control of all their own budget.

Jomo

looby75 wrote: »

at my mums school they are as it's a church school so they have control of all their own budget.

Doesn't mean they have to be employed by the school, the school could go via an agency.

the182guy

mrsmoneyworries wrote: »

I think you have read my post wrong here - what i am saying is if i had to take a days leave, especially unpaid for whatever reason, then If the school was open an extra day or 2 at the end of a term would help me to repay that time back without loosing money - do you understand now ??

I was not saying i expect teachers to go in, without any children, however, i am sure (based on my childrens school) that if staff were able to get in then what is the harm in doing so, as the schools are always saying they don't have enough time to do things.

I understand what you're saying.

mrsmoneyworries wrote: »

I also think that teachers get alot of time off as it is - again based on my children's school, they will close a day early to do ridiculous tasks that could be done on the last day of term anyway. If they are going to finish that day early, then it should be worked into the holiday calendar - It is a nightmare for working parents, as our school in particular gives less than 48hrs notice for everything that goes on there !

This is a new discussion altogether and I suppose is out of the intended scope of this thread. I think it's more like the managers and head that decide what day the school closes for end of term, I don't think teachers have much (if any) say in it.

rupee99

the182guy wrote: »

Yes you have a very good point about teachers, most of them can be productive without children present. However, a school has a large array of employees not just teachers.

True, but apart from an "eye for an eye" what possible use will having teachers and ancilliary staff in during the summer holidays, seven months hence, be in making up lost time now?

Surely the purpose of a school is to educate children (yes I know that is a naive thought in these times of targets and internal/external politics) those days lost education are now gone forever having staff in during August won't replace that.

frannyann

mrsmoneyworries wrote: »

I think you have read my post wrong here - what i am saying is if i had to take a days leave, especially unpaid for whatever reason, then If the school was open an extra day or 2 at the end of a term would help me to repay that time back without loosing money - do you understand now ??

snip !

This is an excellent idea, I will have work these days back as daughter school is shut and she is not getting educated these days either (before anyone comments I could teach her, I would do a terrible job! Haven't understood her maths for about 2 years now!:o) School are supposed to give a certain amount of days face to face teaching per year. Snow days should be made up.

looby75

Jomo wrote: »

Doesn't mean they have to be employed by the school, the school could go via an agency.

in other schools possibly but my mum, the caretaker and 2 other cleaners are employed directly by the school so I know it does happen that way

Rummer

If the school is deciding to close then why should staff have to work time back or loose pay? That seems unreasonable, if the staff can't make it in but the school is open then fair enough.

s0237276

Interesting debate here, my thoughts....
- schools are open, and hence teachers work, for 195 days a year (this is secondary - primary might be one day less)
- of these 195 days, 190 are teaching days and 5 are training days.
- for all state schools these 195 days (i.e. term dates) are listed on local councils website and available before the start of the academic year.
- it is up to schools to decide when these 5 training days are taken out of the 195 days - most take them at the beginning/ends of terms.
- half days count as part of the 5 training days.
- there is plenty of work that teachers can do at home - schools have the option to make one or more of their training days a teaching day so that pupils are not left behind.
- teachers do not have a say if a school is closed and therefore cannot be expected to miss a days pay/make up the day.
- making up a missed teaching day in the holidays is unlikely to happen as it would be requiring teachers to work for more than their 195 days - which would be a breach of contract.
- teachers are able to do work from home, so for most it has been a planning/marking day.

on a personal note, as a secondary teacher with several exam classes, the fact that I've missed two days teaching is a logistical nightmare - trying to now make sure that my pupils cover the work in fewer lessons. I would have rather been in school to be honest. Getting pupils to focus on work after these extra few days off will be a challenge.
If schools are closed it is often not due to danger of pupils whilst in school - caretakers are amazing at making school grounds safe - it is issues with pupils travelling to and from school.