Shutting school because one teacher is having an operation

Pollycat

I'm sure David will be back with more details.

It's this bit that I found really strange:

davidlizard wrote: »

Apparently, the other teachers have whinged that it is not fair he is getting two weeks "off" whilst they have to work, and have complained to the headmistress.

Assuming that the rumour heard by the OP is true:
It's many years since I was at school but I just can't see this as reasonable behaviour from people who've taken up teaching as profession.

If the guy had asked for 2 weeks holiday to go rambling in the Yorkshire Dales, fine - but we're talking about a medical issue here.

And I can't understand the headmistress not saying so to the staff.

If she sets this precedent, how is she going to handle a situation when another member of staff is off sick with,say, flu?
Give everybody a few days off to compensate them?

Reggie_Rebel

Why couldn't the operation be scheduled for part of the three months that the teachers don't work anyway?

poet123

Why would there be a surplus of teaching days? Schools are open for set times which correspond with legal requirements. They can't just open and close when they feel like it.

This sound very strange. I cannot imagine any headteacher acting this way. More info required here OP please.

gildius

Sounds very weird to me!

WestonDave

I suspect this is a case where non contact days (aka inset days) are being referred to, however I'd still be taking a dim view if teachers are using what should be training/development days for a day off as some kind of bizarre compensation for someone else being ill!

Nilrem

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

Why couldn't the operation be scheduled for part of the three months that the teachers don't work anyway?

Because it's generally the hospital that sets the date for an operation? (and if you are unavailable it might be months before you get another option for it*)
Because if it's bad enough to require an operation it's often not something you want to say "well I can live with it for another X months", especially as a lot of things can get worse the longer they are left.

Would YOU put off an operation for months just because it conflicts with your work?
If it comes down to the choice between an operation date that is good for the hospital, and one that is good for work, I'll say stuff it to work, as I wouldn't want to wait potentially months for another date.


It sounds like a possible case of chinese whispers for the op's school, as I've never heard of anything like it around my neck of the woods.


*My dad had to cancel a regular hospital appointment last year for a more urgent one (at another hospital) elsewhere on the same day, it meant he had to wait an extra 2-3 months for the next one.

Reggie_Rebel

Nilrem wrote: »

"well I can live with it for another [STRIKE]X months[/STRIKE] six weeks"

Fixed that for you

poet123

I think the point was that if you are given an appointment and you ask to change it very often a new appointment would be x months later.

railbuff

poet123 wrote: »

I think the point was that if you are given an appointment and you ask to change it very often a new appointment would be x months later.

yes this is true, its not usually for the hospital, as now with trusts consultants/surgeons work round several hsopitals, so its when thwy are avaialble at that hospital.

several years ago i needed an operation on my knee, at first all my GP was doing is " heres more pills" until i was seen by a new GP they employed who decided enough was enough and sent me to see a consultant at my local hospital, after xrays and test he decided i needfed an operation and i was given 2 choices

1) go on 3 yr waiting list at the local hospital
3) go on 2 mth waiting list at hospital 20 miles away.

I chose option 2

mel48rose

davidlizard wrote: »

Does anyone else think this is reasonable?

A teacher at my sons school will be taking two weeks off for an operation to sort out a long standing sports injury. I have no problem with this as such things can happen.

Apparently, the other teachers have whinged that it is not fair he is getting two weeks "off" whilst they have to work, and have complained to the headmistress.

She has now responded by allowing all the other teachers 3 days off and therefore the school will be shut later in the year. She says they can do this as they have a "surplus" of teaching days to cover things such as this which can be used at the headteachers discretion.

The PTA have complained already. I am aware there is a lot of longstanding politics going on with the teacher and the other staff.

Think I'm in the wrong profession! :rotfl: