Ok it's just a moan, but really... school holidays

loftus

Why do these threads always turn into teacher bashing sessions?

Teachers don't set the rules on term time holidays yet people always manage to turn the argument round to their holidays and inset days - and no, I'm not a teacher!

elisamoose

onlyroz wrote: »

Um they do - if the child is not at school then are they not on holiday? . Teachers have 6 (I think) unpaid training days a year, usually on the last day of a school holiday.

LA schedule 3 of the days and the school choose the others-- in my LA these have to be taken in holidays. As teachers are paid year round this is part of their working time . For support staff , who are only paid for 190 days a year , they have to negotiate for time in lieu or overtime if the school feel the training day is relevant (most are not).

gregg1

liney wrote: »

If teaching is so dreadful, why are the newly trained teachers scrambling for the infrequent vacancies that come up, due to the our current working teachers not leaving the profession? I imagine that many skills are transferable to other professions, including social services so one could still be involved with youngsters.

Teachers get targeted for riducule because the profession as a whole seems to be constantly complaining about it's poor working conditions, yet fails to accept they are much better off than many, many others. They know this, or they would vote with their feet, but still expect our sympathy for the sterling job they do.

No - they are constantly having to defend themselves against people like you ! There is a big difference. And I think I probably speak for many teachers when I say they do not expect sympathy for the job they do, but a little support now and then would not go amiss.

and my OH had her pick of new teaching jobs when she left her training so not sure where you have got your facts from re teachers scrambling for posts.

andyrules

No-one has said that teaching is dreadful, but it is tough.
Personally, I would welcome shorter and more frequent holidays - but it isn't down to individual teachers to make those decisions. And most of us hate inset days as much as the parents - they generally mean some new initiative!

I would agree with the poster who said that leaving it to the head's discretion is sometimes unfair - but I guess the alternative would be a blanket ban.

Heads are now answerable to LEAs with a general tightening up of absence policies - but part of their keenness to stamp on term time holidays is to prevent exam results taking a dive. Doesn't that say it all?

andyrules

aimee21j wrote: »

Exactly. A child I once took on a trip asked "what is that over there?" . It was a sheep

I had this once - over a cow! I never fail to be amazed!

I'm surprised about the poster who said their school puts videos on 3 weeks ahead of the end of term. Most schools have started moving up a year in the last few weeks to boost children on after exams. I wouldn't be thrilled about that.

liney

gregg1 wrote: »

No - they are constantly having to defend themselves against people like you ! There is a big difference. And I think I probably speak for many teachers when I say they do not expect sympathy for the job they do, but a little support now and then would not go amiss.

and my OH had her pick of new teaching jobs when she left her training so not sure where you have got your facts from re teachers scrambling for posts.

Apart from the many news reports stating that Primary teaching is vastly over subscribed, and that unless you want to teach Maths or Science (and greeted with a golden handshake) that a permanent post if very difficult to obtain, there is also this petition http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?2130414 which was very easy to find. If you look at some of the comments you will see how difficult some of these NQT are finding it to secure a post.

There posts generally don't start 'teacher bashing', they start with teachers complaining about their hard lives, and 'people like me' state that they aren't exactly living on the bread line or shoving shXte. The teachers then take offense about my lack of sympathy.

Can i join in the whinging about my job? I have 2 weeks annual leave from tommorrow, accept i will be at work at 8am to sort out a unexpected matter of urgency. I won't be paid for it, i won't be asking for my holiday entitlement back, and i won't be complaining as it's part of the job.....

aimee21j

liney wrote: »

There posts generally don't start 'teacher bashing', they start with teachers complaining about their hard lives, and 'people like me' state that they aren't exactly living on the bread line or shoving shXte. The teachers then take offense about my lack of sympathy.

Can i join in the whinging about my job? I have 2 weeks annual leave from tommorrow, accept i will be at work at 8am to sort out a unexpected matter of urgency. I won't be paid for it, i won't be asking for my holiday entitlement back, and i won't be complaining as it's part of the job.....

...train to be a teacher if you're not happy (please take that in the way it was intended)

I don't think anyone was complaining to be honest, but the same people always crop up on these type of threads. There is certainly no shortage of jobs in the Midlands. I'd certainly agree with teachers scrambling for jobs at certain times as when they are training, they want to secure a post asap.

Lunar_Eclipse

gregg1 wrote: »

because lets face it - I would imagine that the vast majority of people who take their kids out of school for holidays go for the sea and sand/bucket and sand type of holiday.

But hey - when they start handing out GCSE's for building sandcastles I am sure A*'s will be achieved by all. No worries there then.

Yes, I suspect you are probably right.

Your second point though is why I am not totally against term time holidays (within reason) now that I have two children at school. There is far too much wasted time and a focus on about three key subjects (at Primary level) and the lowest common denominator in absolutely everything! :rolleyes: I mean this generally and not negatively in regards to the two schools my children attend. We support them as much as we can with thanks, money and donated time and are fully aware of the miraculous power and inspiring touch that teachers (can) have. Our eldest's teacher this year in particular has been fantastic.

I'm currently mulling over how to take mine out for a term of authorised absence, for a spot of family travelling GAP year style!!! Oh the fun we would have.

aimee21j

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Yes, I suspect you are probably right.

Your second point though is why I am not totally against term time holidays (within reason) now that I have two children at school. There is far too much wasted time and a focus on about three key subjects (at Primary level) and the lowest common denominator in absolutely everything! :rolleyes: I mean this generally and not negatively in regards to the two schools my children attend. We support them as much as we can with thanks, money and donated time and are fully aware of the miraculous power and inspiring touch that teachers (can) have. Our eldest's teacher this year in particular has been fantastic.

I'm currently mulling over how to take mine out for a term of authorised absence, for a spot of family travelling GAP year style!!! Oh the fun we would have.

You have said some really nice things You mention the three key subjects. Aren't these the subjects that your children will be asked about for many years to come? They certainly seem to be the focus right up until they are 16 and beyond for the vast majority.

andyrules

Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »

Yes, I suspect you are probably right.

Your second point though is why I am not totally against term time holidays (within reason) now that I have two children at school. There is far too much wasted time and a focus on about three key subjects (at Primary level) and the lowest common denominator in absolutely everything! :rolleyes: I mean this generally and not negatively in regards to the two schools my children attend. We support them as much as we can with thanks, money and donated time and are fully aware of the miraculous power and inspiring touch that teachers (can) have. Our eldest's teacher this year in particular has been fantastic.

Thing is - without adequate literacy skills they can't succeed at history, geography, RE (depending on the board) and any subject which requires written explanations. Without maths skills they will find physics difficult. There would be little point in another language if they haven't mastered English. Science fosters an enquiring mind and most children enjoy primary science.

I take your point though, and think schools need to take care to keep the curriculum broad.