numbnuts
Squire
- Location
- Gone over the hill and far away
...now when I was a lad the only time we didn't go to school in the snow was when the outside toilets froze up... we were hard in them days
School's out
- Thread starter JamesAC
- Start date
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XmisterIS
Purveyor of fine nonsense
I think it's because of what Stephen Fry calls "F***** Health and F****** Safety"!! When I was a kid, we walked to school whether it was snowing or not. No excuses!
guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
When I was a lad we even went when they were frozen.
*Toilets... TOILETS? You were lucky, we used a rendered wall in the corner of the playground... literally [with a screen wall to protect you from been seen- it wasn't completely barbaric!]. It was a matter of pride to see how high up the wall you could reach!*
Teachers could always find something educational to do to bring wisdom and enlightenment into their dull pupils' lives even in times of austerity... wouldn't necessarily need to be curriculum based, as some of the children might be missing, but would hardly call it baby-sitting Paul!
Chris James
Über Member
- Location
- Huddersfield
[QUOTE 1257722"]
It's nothing to do with H&S, but about staffing numbers. In the olden days teachers lived across the road from the school they worked at. They don't any more.
If there aren't enough teachers to teach the kids properly, then what's the point of opening the school? It's an educational establishment, not a babysitting service for parents disgruntled at having to take the day off work.
[/quote]
That may well be true, but doesn't really explain why the schools shut - i.e. why can the 'disgruntled parents' get to work fine, but not the teachers?
Several of our school teachers live in Holmfirth. They were 'unable' to make it to school in the snow several times last winter, and likewise today.
But several of the inspectors at my work (a mile from the school) also live in Holmfirth and they didn't miss a single day!
I think the problem with schools closing is that they have to make the call very early (our eldest's school closure was already announced when we checked at 7AM) and they tend to look at road conditions before the grit has worked in. Also, if there is any forecast of further snow during the day they don't want to open and then have to close again, so tend to be very conservative.
It's nothing to do with H&S, but about staffing numbers. In the olden days teachers lived across the road from the school they worked at. They don't any more.
If there aren't enough teachers to teach the kids properly, then what's the point of opening the school? It's an educational establishment, not a babysitting service for parents disgruntled at having to take the day off work.
[/quote]
That may well be true, but doesn't really explain why the schools shut - i.e. why can the 'disgruntled parents' get to work fine, but not the teachers?
Several of our school teachers live in Holmfirth. They were 'unable' to make it to school in the snow several times last winter, and likewise today.
But several of the inspectors at my work (a mile from the school) also live in Holmfirth and they didn't miss a single day!
I think the problem with schools closing is that they have to make the call very early (our eldest's school closure was already announced when we checked at 7AM) and they tend to look at road conditions before the grit has worked in. Also, if there is any forecast of further snow during the day they don't want to open and then have to close again, so tend to be very conservative.
Over The Hill
Guru
- Location
- Ridden off into the sunset
[QUOTE 1257722"]
It's nothing to do with H&S, but about staffing numbers. In the olden days teachers lived across the road from the school they worked at. They don't any more.
If there aren't enough teachers to teach the kids properly, then what's the point of opening the school? It's an educational establishment, not a babysitting service for parents disgruntled at having to take the day off work.
[/quote]
Because you end up teaching kids not to bother if it becomes the least bit difficult.
School should open come what may. Teach them that education is vital.
Last winter I worked 60 miles away from home for a time when we had lots of snow. I just set off for work at 6.30 instead of 7.30 and got there on time. So should the teachers.
Alternatively, we have weather forcasts. They tell you if it is going to snow. Stay at a local B and B if you have chosen to live a long way from your place of work.
It's nothing to do with H&S, but about staffing numbers. In the olden days teachers lived across the road from the school they worked at. They don't any more.
If there aren't enough teachers to teach the kids properly, then what's the point of opening the school? It's an educational establishment, not a babysitting service for parents disgruntled at having to take the day off work.
[/quote]
Because you end up teaching kids not to bother if it becomes the least bit difficult.
School should open come what may. Teach them that education is vital.
Last winter I worked 60 miles away from home for a time when we had lots of snow. I just set off for work at 6.30 instead of 7.30 and got there on time. So should the teachers.
Alternatively, we have weather forcasts. They tell you if it is going to snow. Stay at a local B and B if you have chosen to live a long way from your place of work.
Over The Hill
Guru
- Location
- Ridden off into the sunset
[QUOTE 1257726"]
Unlike most jobs, many teachers get paid on snow days if they stay at home. That's why it's different. Stop this and more schools will open.
[/quote]
But even more than many jobs, it comes with a degree of responsibility to get on with the important job of educating our children.
If all a teacher thinks about is their pay then I really do not want them educating my kids.
Unlike most jobs, many teachers get paid on snow days if they stay at home. That's why it's different. Stop this and more schools will open.
[/quote]
But even more than many jobs, it comes with a degree of responsibility to get on with the important job of educating our children.
If all a teacher thinks about is their pay then I really do not want them educating my kids.
U
User169
Guest
Blimey. It's only the odd day here and there. I'm sure a few days mucking about in the snow would be more beneficial than being cooped up in a classroom.
Zoiders
New Member
- Location
- Ice Station Zebra
Schools shut because teachers won't live in the same place where they teach.
Snow used to shut my school because a lot of the teaching staff used to insist on living in or near Leek up on the edge of peaks - yes that rustic house in the sticks must be really nice for dinner parties and the like but it's naff all use if you are needed to turn up for work all winter.
Middle class folly shuts schools in winter, move in to the bloody town FFS.
Snow used to shut my school because a lot of the teaching staff used to insist on living in or near Leek up on the edge of peaks - yes that rustic house in the sticks must be really nice for dinner parties and the like but it's naff all use if you are needed to turn up for work all winter.
Middle class folly shuts schools in winter, move in to the bloody town FFS.
Globalti
Legendary Member
Schools shut because yummy mummies somehow can't get in with their Range Rovers, which is strange because I thought they all bought 4x4s for safety in the snow. I'm going to email my son's school and suggest that the 4x4 owners should be asked to do all the school runs in snowy weather so that school can stay open.
Meanwhile last year Mrs Gti and Gti Junior were amongst the few who did make it to school, pootling along in their little Citroen C1 with its skinny tyres and good ground pressure.
Meanwhile last year Mrs Gti and Gti Junior were amongst the few who did make it to school, pootling along in their little Citroen C1 with its skinny tyres and good ground pressure.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
Ok then.
To set the record straight once and for all.
Schools shut due to teacher pupil ratios.
NOT because teachers want to stay off. ( although My wife does like playing in the snow with our Kids )
most teachers now do not liove in the same area as the schiool they teaxch in due to numerous factors including house price, not wanting parents knocking on doors in evening/weekend etc
Many years ago in bad weather teachers could report to the local school and teach there.
You lot who wanted lots of stringent controls on checking teachers who might be a kiddie fiddler put pay to this with the CRB checks. ( Valid for one employment only, work for a different Local Authority and its a new check, oh and this also fails if you are not a CONVICTED fiddler !!! )
you litigious lot also sue if little johnnny gets a bruised leg when he slips on ice like kids did for thousands of years
a grumpy 30 something who is sick of hearing how easy teachers have it , how loooooooong the holidays are and how easy it is to teach , when he sees the shattered wreck his wife is at the end of the school year.
To set the record straight once and for all.
Schools shut due to teacher pupil ratios.
NOT because teachers want to stay off. ( although My wife does like playing in the snow with our Kids )
most teachers now do not liove in the same area as the schiool they teaxch in due to numerous factors including house price, not wanting parents knocking on doors in evening/weekend etc
Many years ago in bad weather teachers could report to the local school and teach there.
You lot who wanted lots of stringent controls on checking teachers who might be a kiddie fiddler put pay to this with the CRB checks. ( Valid for one employment only, work for a different Local Authority and its a new check, oh and this also fails if you are not a CONVICTED fiddler !!! )
you litigious lot also sue if little johnnny gets a bruised leg when he slips on ice like kids did for thousands of years
a grumpy 30 something who is sick of hearing how easy teachers have it , how loooooooong the holidays are and how easy it is to teach , when he sees the shattered wreck his wife is at the end of the school year.
Zoiders
New Member
- Location
- Ice Station Zebra
Live 5 miles away from where you teach if you don't want parents bothering you.
Don't live 20 miles away in the nearest rural middle class ghetto because you simply must have that quaint ex farmhouse.
House price does indeed factor - teachers won't live in or near shitty areas with poor or non existant equity on the housing stock, the London-centric issue relating to affordable housing doesn't wash elsewhere in the country.
Don't live 20 miles away in the nearest rural middle class ghetto because you simply must have that quaint ex farmhouse.
House price does indeed factor - teachers won't live in or near shitty areas with poor or non existant equity on the housing stock, the London-centric issue relating to affordable housing doesn't wash elsewhere in the country.
vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
I bought a house six hundred yards from the school where I taught at the time. I have since taught at eight different schools. Are you suggesting that I moved house eight times to fit in with a strange perspective on social obligations?
Everyone who can afford a house has the right to buy one in a location of their choosing.
Do I sniff some jealousy?
Zoiders
New Member
- Location
- Ice Station Zebra
My parents teach and they get exasperated with the teachers who are too busy playing river cottage to focus on the job they are payed to do.
Letting contrived aspirations over ride your work contract is stupid and selfish, it would not wash in any other profession. Live out of area by all means, commute, thats not a problem. Purposely living in the sticks though away from main gritted routes so you get snowed in each year when you should be working is just selfish. If you are expected to teach in X city every week day then don't take yourself off to live on the edge of national park 20 miles away.
Choice comes down to what is practical and what allows you to reliably fulfill a contract or promise, if you are persistantly making the non practical choice then you are not holding up your end of the deal IMHO.
Letting contrived aspirations over ride your work contract is stupid and selfish, it would not wash in any other profession. Live out of area by all means, commute, thats not a problem. Purposely living in the sticks though away from main gritted routes so you get snowed in each year when you should be working is just selfish. If you are expected to teach in X city every week day then don't take yourself off to live on the edge of national park 20 miles away.
Choice comes down to what is practical and what allows you to reliably fulfill a contract or promise, if you are persistantly making the non practical choice then you are not holding up your end of the deal IMHO.
