Cushy number wrote:
Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

A Stroppy Parent wrote:
I have just found out that Brookfield School in Locks Heath are closed on Thursday. They are having the good grace of letting parents know tonight. Talk about short notice! They obviously think that all working parents can arrange leave, etc just like that!! Locks Heath Junior are definitely open, sorry Juniors, no day on the playstation for you.

Sentient wrote:

Cushy number wrote: Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

If it's that easy, why don't you give it a try? If the job is that easy, and teachers get paid so much, whay is there a national shortage of teachers? Whay aren't you all teaching? They get a final salary pension as well, don't you know?!! What's the point in striking during half-term?

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \"These people don\'t know how easy they have it\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Cushy number wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Cushy number wrote: Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

If it\'s that easy, why don\'t you give it a try? If the job is that easy, and teachers get paid so much, whay is there a national shortage of teachers? Whay aren\'t you all teaching? They get a final salary pension as well, don\'t you know?!! What\'s the point in striking during half-term?

The point about half term is a dig at the long holidays - bit too subtle for you! The reason I dont teach is I can and do earn far more doing something else! I didnt say teachers get paid a lot - because they do not but there are other benefits that most teachers forget about when they are enjoying their 13 weeks holiday!

Cushy number wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Cushy number wrote: Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

If it's that easy, why don't you give it a try? If the job is that easy, and teachers get paid so much, whay is there a national shortage of teachers? Whay aren't you all teaching? They get a final salary pension as well, don't you know?!! What's the point in striking during half-term?

The point about half term is a dig at the long holidays - bit too subtle for you! The reason I dont teach is I can and do earn far more doing something else! I didnt say teachers get paid a lot - because they do not but there are other benefits that most teachers forget about when they are enjoying their 13 weeks holiday!

Fed up teacher wrote:
cannot believe what i have read!! Teacher shaving an easy life - guess most of you have not been a tecaher then. I taught in southampton for 2 years before moving schools - hardest 2 years of my life. People who are moaning about teachers should do a week in a southampton school and then maybe just maybe you'll see that it isn't easy! Teachers, doctors, nuses, etc are ALL vatsly underpaid when you consider what Footballers & Politicians are paid. Politicians are the worst of the lot - they vote themselves a big pay rise and then screw every other public sector worker, when it comes to pay. They are a total disgrace.

Paul wrote:

Fed up teacher wrote: cannot believe what i have read!! Teacher shaving an easy life - guess most of you have not been a tecaher then. I taught in southampton for 2 years before moving schools - hardest 2 years of my life. People who are moaning about teachers should do a week in a southampton school and then maybe just maybe you'll see that it isn't easy! Teachers, doctors, nuses, etc are ALL vatsly underpaid when you consider what Footballers & Politicians are paid. Politicians are the worst of the lot - they vote themselves a big pay rise and then screw every other public sector worker, when it comes to pay. They are a total disgrace.

Good effort, however you're argument could do with a little more detail. Try to remember how and when to use capital letters and work on you're spelling (B+) I'm glad you're no longer teaching if that's the best you can do!

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \"These people don\'t know how easy they have it\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve 'sir'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I'm 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

james wrote:
sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\\\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\\\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\\\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\\\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\\\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\\\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \\\"These people don\\\'t know how easy they have it\\\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\\\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve \'sir\'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I\'m 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

No I\'m not a teacher, but yes I am connected to teaching so I think I\'m a little better qualified than you to judge. I congratulate you for intending on raising your prospective children to be respectful and disciplined. That\'s what society should expect, and yes, that would allow teachers to concentrate on \"just teaching them\". Isn\'t that their job?!! YOu\'re completely misguided if you think that being a teacher is an \"easy touch\". Where do you get that idea from? You\'ve made your point. However perhaps if all children were respectful and disciplined, teachers would have an easier job and you would be justified in your argument. However, the truth is, it\'s nothing like your utopia, and I am fully justified in telling you that teachers are not rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. In any event, the strike action isn\'t about how much teachers are paid, it\'s about having a pay cut for the next 3 years. Is that fair? Just how much do you thnk teachers earn? Irrational? Fool? Don\'t think so. But you are right to call me \"Sir\". Young whippersnapper!

Ex public sector worker wrote:

james wrote: sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

I think James is missing the point - Public sector pay is dreadful and a rise of just 2.5% is actually a PAY CUT!(Government inflation actually being 4.9%) They are in the real world and they are responsible for the education of our children for god's sake, why shouldnt they stick up for themselves? By the look of your bad grammar in your post, i take it you had poorly paid teachers - stick up for them!!!

Anon wrote:
Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don't know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn't the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\\\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\\\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\\\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\\\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\\\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\\\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \\\"These people don\\\'t know how easy they have it\\\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\\\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve \'sir\'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I\'m 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

No I\'m not a teacher, but yes I am connected to teaching so I think I\'m a little better qualified than you to judge. I congratulate you for intending on raising your prospective children to be respectful and disciplined. That\'s what society should expect, and yes, that would allow teachers to concentrate on \"just teaching them\". Isn\'t that their job?!! YOu\'re completely misguided if you think that being a teacher is an \"easy touch\". Where do you get that idea from? You\'ve made your point. However perhaps if all children were respectful and disciplined, teachers would have an easier job and you would be justified in your argument. However, the truth is, it\'s nothing like your utopia, and I am fully justified in telling you that teachers are not rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. In any event, the strike action isn\'t about how much teachers are paid, it\'s about having a pay cut for the next 3 years. Is that fair? Just how much do you thnk teachers earn? Irrational? Fool? Don\'t think so. But you are right to call me \"Sir\". Young whippersnapper!

Well, some points to agree on and some that I still feel are contencious. Unfortunately my view is from utopia and I struggled not to be distracted by classmates with much lower levels of said respect and discipline. 'Is the pay cut fair', well, we are all subject to this with current 'real' inflation, but are not taking such action. A close friend of mine is a department head and so I have a realistic perspective of what teachers (in general) earn. 'Sir', if this fits; I could retort but wont! 'Whippersnapper', yes, very much still with the attitude that I have the answers, but not narcissistic as many others on this blog nor ignorant to an open discussion. 'Idiot', I don't think so. (!)

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\\\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\\\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\\\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\\\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\\\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\\\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \\\"These people don\\\'t know how easy they have it\\\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\\\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve \'sir\'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I\'m 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

No I\'m not a teacher, but yes I am connected to teaching so I think I\'m a little better qualified than you to judge. I congratulate you for intending on raising your prospective children to be respectful and disciplined. That\'s what society should expect, and yes, that would allow teachers to concentrate on \"just teaching them\". Isn\'t that their job?!! YOu\'re completely misguided if you think that being a teacher is an \"easy touch\". Where do you get that idea from? You\'ve made your point. However perhaps if all children were respectful and disciplined, teachers would have an easier job and you would be justified in your argument. However, the truth is, it\'s nothing like your utopia, and I am fully justified in telling you that teachers are not rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. In any event, the strike action isn\'t about how much teachers are paid, it\'s about having a pay cut for the next 3 years. Is that fair? Just how much do you thnk teachers earn? Irrational? Fool? Don\'t think so. But you are right to call me \"Sir\". Young whippersnapper!

Well, some points to agree on and some that I still feel are contencious. Unfortunately my view is from utopia and I struggled not to be distracted by classmates with much lower levels of said respect and discipline. 'Is the pay cut fair', well, we are all subject to this with current 'real' inflation, but are not taking such action. A close friend of mine is a department head and so I have a realistic perspective of what teachers (in general) earn. 'Sir', if this fits; I could retort but wont! 'Whippersnapper', yes, very much still with the attitude that I have the answers, but not narcissistic as many others on this blog nor ignorant to an open discussion. 'Idiot', I don't think so. (!)

....but we're not all subject to below inflation payrises, but public sector workers typically and historically are. YOU may not have to resort to striking in the private sector, because their is usually a helpful HR dept. or a manager you can appeal to, or an appraisal system that you can use in order to challenge a pay award. Techers have no such system - pay is on a set scale dictated to by the government. There is appeal system, no-one to speak to, no HR department or line manager. How else are teachers supposed to challenege their payrises, or even raise the issue if not through their union and through strike action? The government have refused to reason with the teaching unions - what option is left?

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\\\\\\\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\\\\\\\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\\\\\\\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\\\\\\\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\\\\\\\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\\\\\\\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \\\\\\\"These people don\\\\\\\'t know how easy they have it\\\\\\\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\\\\\\\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve \\\'sir\\\'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I\\\'m 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

No I\\\'m not a teacher, but yes I am connected to teaching so I think I\\\'m a little better qualified than you to judge. I congratulate you for intending on raising your prospective children to be respectful and disciplined. That\\\'s what society should expect, and yes, that would allow teachers to concentrate on \\\"just teaching them\\\". Isn\\\'t that their job?!! YOu\\\'re completely misguided if you think that being a teacher is an \\\"easy touch\\\". Where do you get that idea from? You\\\'ve made your point. However perhaps if all children were respectful and disciplined, teachers would have an easier job and you would be justified in your argument. However, the truth is, it\\\'s nothing like your utopia, and I am fully justified in telling you that teachers are not rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. In any event, the strike action isn\\\'t about how much teachers are paid, it\\\'s about having a pay cut for the next 3 years. Is that fair? Just how much do you thnk teachers earn? Irrational? Fool? Don\\\'t think so. But you are right to call me \\\"Sir\\\". Young whippersnapper!

Well, some points to agree on and some that I still feel are contencious. Unfortunately my view is from utopia and I struggled not to be distracted by classmates with much lower levels of said respect and discipline. \'Is the pay cut fair\', well, we are all subject to this with current \'real\' inflation, but are not taking such action. A close friend of mine is a department head and so I have a realistic perspective of what teachers (in general) earn. \'Sir\', if this fits; I could retort but wont! \'Whippersnapper\', yes, very much still with the attitude that I have the answers, but not narcissistic as many others on this blog nor ignorant to an open discussion. \'Idiot\', I don\'t think so. (!)

....but we\'re not all subject to below inflation payrises, but public sector workers typically and historically are. YOU may not have to resort to striking in the private sector, because their is usually a helpful HR dept. or a manager you can appeal to, or an appraisal system that you can use in order to challenge a pay award. Techers have no such system - pay is on a set scale dictated to by the government. There is appeal system, no-one to speak to, no HR department or line manager. How else are teachers supposed to challenege their payrises, or even raise the issue if not through their union and through strike action? The government have refused to reason with the teaching unions - what option is left?

Anon wrote:

Ex public sector worker wrote:

james wrote: sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

I think James is missing the point - Public sector pay is dreadful and a rise of just 2.5% is actually a PAY CUT!(Government inflation actually being 4.9%) They are in the real world and they are responsible for the education of our children for god's sake, why shouldnt they stick up for themselves? By the look of your bad grammar in your post, i take it you had poorly paid teachers - stick up for them!!!

Actually the government figures show an inflation figure closer to 2.1% and so based on this, and I stress based on this, it would not be a pay cut. They have to be sure that if they are using the CPI of 2.1% in one scenario, that they use it in all. Unfortunately, this corrupt government is insistant on this 2.1% when everyone else knows it is closer to 8% on average. People need to look at the bigger picture rather than making up their own figures for half of the story and quoting figures for the other half. This is what you get in the public sector...you should know this when you start your career. If not, go back to your careers advisor and tell them so they can pass the knowledge on!

Condor Man wrote:
When will teachers realise they have a legal duty to supervise those kids as parents have the obligation to send them to school. I remember the strikes in 85 and the contempt that grew for teachers after it. I hope they are docked a days pay at least. SHAME ON THEM, they earn a good wage compared to the parents of most of their pupils.

TEACHER wrote:

Condor Man wrote: When will teachers realise they have a legal duty to supervise those kids as parents have the obligation to send them to school. I remember the strikes in 85 and the contempt that grew for teachers after it. I hope they are docked a days pay at least. SHAME ON THEM, they earn a good wage compared to the parents of most of their pupils.

Hello There Do you not realise STRIKE means unpaid,of course teachers know this!If we didnt have to put up with half the abuse from students and parents we wouldnt be striking!

Gripper wrote:
Anon, you write: I'm 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. Raising children is not easy. You cannot hope to know what your children will be like, but I'm guessing pedantic, ignorant, ill-informed little morons if you're anything to go by. I'm also guessing you were bullied at school hence your dislike of teachers who did not stop your suffering. Also why 'Anon'? Coward.

employee wrote:
I am employed in a school (not a teacher). Generally they start at 8.15, work in the classroom from 8.45 - 12.00 lunch for 75minutes, then back in the classroom from 1.15 - 3.15. They generally spend a couple of hours a night preparing work. Total that up probably 8 - 9hrs per day. Most people have to work that and overtime to earn the money they get and don\'t get all the holidays. They only spend a small part of their holidays doing any work. Consider that the starting pay for a NQT is £19000 a year and generally within a few years their pay can rise at a very good rate, what have they got to grumble about. A teacher with a few years behind them can get paid 35grand plus a year. I get paid by Southampton City Council, work very hard and get paid a pittence in comparison.Teachers are well looked after compared to all other staff in schools. I don\'t feel sorry for them.

Condor Man wrote:
When will teachers realise they have a legal duty to supervise those kids as parents have the obligation to send them to school. I remember the strikes in 85 and the contempt that grew for teachers after it. I hope they are docked a days pay at least. SHAME ON THEM, they earn a good wage compared to the parents of most of their pupils.

Teacher S wrote:

employee wrote: I am employed in a school (not a teacher). Generally they start at 8.15, work in the classroom from 8.45 - 12.00 lunch for 75minutes, then back in the classroom from 1.15 - 3.15. They generally spend a couple of hours a night preparing work. Total that up probably 8 - 9hrs per day. Most people have to work that and overtime to earn the money they get and don\\\'t get all the holidays. They only spend a small part of their holidays doing any work. Consider that the starting pay for a NQT is £19000 a year and generally within a few years their pay can rise at a very good rate, what have they got to grumble about. A teacher with a few years behind them can get paid 35grand plus a year. I get paid by Southampton City Council, work very hard and get paid a pittence in comparison.Teachers are well looked after compared to all other staff in schools. I don\\\'t feel sorry for them.

I\'d like to work in that school! 75 minutes lunch? I\'m lucky if I can grab a bite to eat and go to the loo at lunch! This is not a competition about which career is the toughest. But I certainly don\'t go around proclaiming that mortgage advisors or retail assistants have an easy life. Why? Because I haven\'t done their job!!!! I\'m not disputing that teachers get paid a good salary. My problem is the peception of some posting here that our job is easy and that we don\'t work hard! Or , that we don\'t live in the \"real world\". Again, this smacks of the typically English attitude towards a percieved easy target - i.e. lets slag off something we don\'t fully understand because we\'ve read a few headlines. I\'ve worked in the private sector as an HR manager before I decided to teach. I can tell you that most teachers work hard and deal with stressful situations on a daily basis while at the same time are trying their best to inspire and educate the next generation of adults. All this while trying to meet government targets, completing unnecessary paper work, getting pupils trough ridiculous tests, struggling with unsupportive parents (whose little angels can do no wrong) and having two hands tied behind their back when it comes to discipline. By all means question the need for industrial action but please refrian from quasi-informed \"facts\" about the job of a teacher.

Gripper wrote:
Anon, you write: I'm 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. Raising children is not easy. You cannot hope to know what your children will be like, but I'm guessing pedantic, ignorant, ill-informed little morons if you're anything to go by. I'm also guessing you were bullied at school hence your dislike of teachers who did not stop your suffering. Also why 'Anon'? Coward.

Lynne wrote:
My son's school hasn't been mentioned! I'm due back at work tomorrow after taking two weeks holiday to be off with my kids. My boss will not be happy if I have to take Thursday off too. I don't disagree with the strike but their timing is pretty rubbish!

anon wrote:
shame on them!!! need another day off already....only just returned afer 2 weeks off. oh..just remembered--another week off soon in june and then....6 weeks off in july!!!!! poor things must need thursday or they may be over worked. its disgusting..they seem to think they can dictate when its ok for our children to attend/not attend school.

Lynne wrote:
My son's school hasn't been mentioned! I'm due back at work tomorrow after taking two weeks holiday to be off with my kids. My boss will not be happy if I have to take Thursday off too. I don't disagree with the strike but their timing is pretty rubbish!

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \"These people don\'t know how easy they have it\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve 'sir'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I'm 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

Eric wrote:

Anon wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Anon wrote: Absolutely right; another example of the public sector taking the rise. These people don\'t know how easy they have it and if they were better at their jobs, the control of the children would not be so hard. When I was at school, there were teachers who were respected and teachers who were not. It wasn\'t the children who decided this. If this happened in the Private Sector, I can assure you that they would not have a job to stroll back into after their tantrum.

What a crock of sh@t. Perhaps if you raised your children better, you wouldn\'t be reliant on teachers to do your parent job for you? Perhaps if you were a better parent, teachers wouldn\'t have such a tough job of maintaing control of 30+ children in their classroom. This wouldn\'t happen in the private sector. The private sector would recognise their staff\'s worth and pay them accordingly. \"These people don\'t know how easy they have it\"? Eh? Are you suggesting that teaching is easy? It\'s not just about standing up in front of a class and reading from a book you know, or are you too pig-headed and ignorant to accept that? Idiot.

Ooops. Sorry for touching a raw nerve 'sir'? I am guessing that you are a teacher or in someway, very emotionally, connected? I'm 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined so that the soft touch teachers do not feel burdened with raising them and they can concentrate on just teaching them. As you see, I agree that 99% of raising a child is down to the parents, and it is because of this that I feel fully justified in believing that teachers are accordingly rewarded with a salary that reflects their responsibilities. Irrational fool.

I'm 23 and do not have children, but I can assure you that when I do, in the not so distant future, that they will be respectful and disciplined I nearly fell off my chair laughing !! Have some children first and then you'll be in a position to comment !!

Paddy Poopie wrote:
Well if all you chav’s that decide to have children, brought them up properly, We as teachers wouldn't have a near enough impossible job! The majority of children now are rude, disruptive and uncontrollable! We should be either allowed to give a more effective discipline or higher salaries to comprehend dealing with the sh*t. It's alright for you parents to not agree with our pay rise strike, but then maybe you should of gone to uni and been a teacher. Most of you couldn't hack it because all you know it's to sit on your arse's and claim benefits. Probably didn't even finish school yourselves!

employee wrote:

Teacher S wrote:

employee wrote: I am employed in a school (not a teacher). Generally they start at 8.15, work in the classroom from 8.45 - 12.00 lunch for 75minutes, then back in the classroom from 1.15 - 3.15. They generally spend a couple of hours a night preparing work. Total that up probably 8 - 9hrs per day. Most people have to work that and overtime to earn the money they get and don\\\\\\\'t get all the holidays. They only spend a small part of their holidays doing any work. Consider that the starting pay for a NQT is £19000 a year and generally within a few years their pay can rise at a very good rate, what have they got to grumble about. A teacher with a few years behind them can get paid 35grand plus a year. I get paid by Southampton City Council, work very hard and get paid a pittence in comparison.Teachers are well looked after compared to all other staff in schools. I don\\\\\\\'t feel sorry for them.

I\\\'d like to work in that school! 75 minutes lunch? I\\\'m lucky if I can grab a bite to eat and go to the loo at lunch! This is not a competition about which career is the toughest. But I certainly don\\\'t go around proclaiming that mortgage advisors or retail assistants have an easy life. Why? Because I haven\\\'t done their job!!!! I\\\'m not disputing that teachers get paid a good salary. My problem is the peception of some posting here that our job is easy and that we don\\\'t work hard! Or , that we don\\\'t live in the \\\"real world\\\". Again, this smacks of the typically English attitude towards a percieved easy target - i.e. lets slag off something we don\\\'t fully understand because we\\\'ve read a few headlines. I\\\'ve worked in the private sector as an HR manager before I decided to teach. I can tell you that most teachers work hard and deal with stressful situations on a daily basis while at the same time are trying their best to inspire and educate the next generation of adults. All this while trying to meet government targets, completing unnecessary paper work, getting pupils trough ridiculous tests, struggling with unsupportive parents (whose little angels can do no wrong) and having two hands tied behind their back when it comes to discipline. By all means question the need for industrial action but please refrian from quasi-informed \\\"facts\\\" about the job of a teacher.

Of all the comments i made the only one you can pick up on is the lunch hour - what more do i need to say!!!

Teacher S wrote:

employee wrote:

Teacher S wrote:

employee wrote: I am employed in a school (not a teacher). Generally they start at 8.15, work in the classroom from 8.45 - 12.00 lunch for 75minutes, then back in the classroom from 1.15 - 3.15. They generally spend a couple of hours a night preparing work. Total that up probably 8 - 9hrs per day. Most people have to work that and overtime to earn the money they get and don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t get all the holidays. They only spend a small part of their holidays doing any work. Consider that the starting pay for a NQT is £19000 a year and generally within a few years their pay can rise at a very good rate, what have they got to grumble about. A teacher with a few years behind them can get paid 35grand plus a year. I get paid by Southampton City Council, work very hard and get paid a pittence in comparison.Teachers are well looked after compared to all other staff in schools. I don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t feel sorry for them.

I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'d like to work in that school! 75 minutes lunch? I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m lucky if I can grab a bite to eat and go to the loo at lunch! This is not a competition about which career is the toughest. But I certainly don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t go around proclaiming that mortgage advisors or retail assistants have an easy life. Why? Because I haven\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t done their job!!!! I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'m not disputing that teachers get paid a good salary. My problem is the peception of some posting here that our job is easy and that we don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t work hard! Or , that we don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t live in the \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"real world\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\". Again, this smacks of the typically English attitude towards a percieved easy target - i.e. lets slag off something we don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t fully understand because we\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve read a few headlines. I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve worked in the private sector as an HR manager before I decided to teach. I can tell you that most teachers work hard and deal with stressful situations on a daily basis while at the same time are trying their best to inspire and educate the next generation of adults. All this while trying to meet government targets, completing unnecessary paper work, getting pupils trough ridiculous tests, struggling with unsupportive parents (whose little angels can do no wrong) and having two hands tied behind their back when it comes to discipline. By all means question the need for industrial action but please refrian from quasi-informed \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"facts\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" about the job of a teacher.

Of all the comments i made the only one you can pick up on is the lunch hour - what more do i need to say!!!

My actual point was about some of the plain nasty comments made by ill informed people making comments. If you want me to respond in more detail then I will.

I generally work a 10 hour day including working through the 20 minute lunch break we have at our school. I also work for at least 3 – 4 hours every Sunday. I spend a large amount of the half term holidays in school catching up with paper work, preparing for exams and/or marking coursework. Do I complain about that? No, because I actually love my job.

Again, if you had read my post correctly you would find that I am not necessarily supporting strike action or denying that teachers are paid well. What I am challenging is the blatant lack of understanding of people who think they know how “easy” teaching is. And the vitriolic nastiness of some of the comments being posted – what these comments suggest is that many people out there in the so called “real” world have very little understanding of what teachers actually do (even people who apparently work in schools but are not teachers).

Mike wrote:

Paddy Poopie wrote: Well if all you chav’s that decide to have children, brought them up properly, We as teachers wouldn't have a near enough impossible job! The majority of children now are rude, disruptive and uncontrollable! We should be either allowed to give a more effective discipline or higher salaries to comprehend dealing with the sh*t. It's alright for you parents to not agree with our pay rise strike, but then maybe you should of gone to uni and been a teacher. Most of you couldn't hack it because all you know it's to sit on your arse's and claim benefits. Probably didn't even finish school yourselves!

Paddy Poopie wins the prize for the Worlds most obvious Troll.

Sussed wrote:

Gavin Marsh wrote: I totally back the teachers and their just strike. I work part-time as a teaching assistant and know full well their commitment to children and young people. Rather than critising them I think we ought to be following their example. Many people I know are struggling to pay bills and prices are on the increase. It makes absolute sense to fight for a wage increase that reflects these increased costs and perhaps eases the pressure of trying to make ends meet in these difficult times.

Too thick to be a proper teacher then?

Sentient wrote:

Sussed wrote:

Gavin Marsh wrote: I totally back the teachers and their just strike. I work part-time as a teaching assistant and know full well their commitment to children and young people. Rather than critising them I think we ought to be following their example. Many people I know are struggling to pay bills and prices are on the increase. It makes absolute sense to fight for a wage increase that reflects these increased costs and perhaps eases the pressure of trying to make ends meet in these difficult times.

Too thick to be a proper teacher then?

Jeez - what is it with you? An easy opportunity to slag someone off and brighten up your otherwise dull and meaningless day? TA's do a sterling job; they are an invaluable resource in the classroom, looking after your little darlings, without the formal training of teachers, and if the government had its way, would actually be teaching your little darlings too. If you think teachers are poorly paid (and I appreciate you're probably too small-minded to acknowledge it), you should see what TA's get paid! Pittance isn't an adequate description. Good on you Gavin Marsh.

Ex public sector worker wrote:

james wrote: sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

I think James is missing the point - Public sector pay is dreadful and a rise of just 2.5% is actually a PAY CUT!(Government inflation actually being 4.9%) They are in the real world and they are responsible for the education of our children for god\'s sake, why shouldnt they stick up for themselves? By the look of your bad grammar in your post, i take it you had poorly paid teachers - stick up for them!!!

another teacher wrote:
I am a secondary maths teacher. I get into school at 7:30am and leave about 6pm. I often work for a couple of hours each night and then 8 or so over the weekend. That\'s approx 65-70 hours a week depending on what\'s on. I (like many teachers) also work over the half terms, but do have a break over the Easter/Christmas and most of the Summer holidays. If I average out my term hours across the standard 48 week year I would be working 52 hour weeks, which is a lot more than some people do. Yes, the job is stressful, the paperwork stinks and the behaviour of the pupils can be awful. But it\'s the job I chose and the job I love (with a very goo d maths degree I could have earnt a lot more and worked a lot less in a different career, but I wouldn\'t change it for the world!). There are very few teachers who dislike the main job (teaching as opposed to paperwork, discipline etc) and are still teaching because you just can\'t do it unless you enjoy it. My cost of living is going up as petrol increases, my mortgage increases, even the cost of bread and milk increases, but my pay doesn\'t increase at the same rate. That is all teachers are asking for. I am not striking tomorrow; I am a member of a different union that is not involved and I am not sure what I would do if my union was striking. However, it is saddening to read the disrespectful bitter comments left here. All we are doing is asking for a pay increase that matches the actual increase in the cost of living. We spend our lives educating and nurturing the next generation, your children. It\'s a shame members of the public and even some parents cannot be supportive.

Sentient wrote:
Why is it that when the Fire Service strike, everyone supports them and nurses because they do a great job etc, but as soon as teachers demand the same treatment, they are criticised? Is looking after and educating your children not worthy enough? How would you like a pay cut this year, next year and the year after that? Teachers are simply asking for a payrise at least in line with inflation, in recognition of the important job that they do. \\\"Condor Man\\\" - teachers are all too aware of their responsibility towards the children that they teach. The vast, vast majority do work long hours and are treated like sh@t by a lot of the children and parents in return. When will you appreciate that it\\\'s the parents responsibility to raise their children, teachers to provide and education. Unfortunately a lot of parents seem to think that it is also the school\\\'s job to tech their children all of their social skills e.g. toilet train, feed, clothe, educate and discipline their kids. Teachers go to teacher training college or complete a conversation course after their degree, because they want to teach as a vocation, not because of the benefits and salary. Irrespective of how hard the job may be, most actually want to do the job - they\\\'re just asking to be treated fairly while they do it. It\\\'s not too much to ask for is it? Teachers may earn more than some of the parents of the children they teach; so what? What\\\'s your point? They should earn less than everyone? Just because they earn more than you, they deserve a pay cut?

Why is it that when the Fire Service strike, everyone supports them and nurses because they do a great job etc, but as soon as teachers demand the same treatment, they are criticised? Is looking after and educating your children not worthy enough?

james wrote:
sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

fed up teacher wrote:

Cushy number wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Cushy number wrote: Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

If it\'s that easy, why don\'t you give it a try? If the job is that easy, and teachers get paid so much, whay is there a national shortage of teachers? Whay aren\'t you all teaching? They get a final salary pension as well, don\'t you know?!! What\'s the point in striking during half-term?

The point about half term is a dig at the long holidays - bit too subtle for you! The reason I dont teach is I can and do earn far more doing something else! I didnt say teachers get paid a lot - because they do not but there are other benefits that most teachers forget about when they are enjoying their 13 weeks holiday!

Enjoying our 13 week holiday - working fora lot of it - and then paying to go away whe it is the most expensive time to go on holiday!! Yeah thats really enjoyable. Guess you can take time off when it suits you though and go on holiday when it is cheap. Bet yo wouldn't like to b told when you could go on holiday. get real. Would you strike during your holiday???

andy wrote:

james wrote: sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

Yes sack them!! You see this is the mentality that teachers have to put up with from "adults" that is then passed on to the pupils. Before you comment on something you clearly have no understanding of think very carefully. Over subscribed schools, ever increasing class sizes, a declining number of students undertaking teacher training due to the pressures of achievement and constant change heaped on us by the government. Sacking is not really the answer is it? The reason you would be sacked in the private sector is because you are replaceable. This is not the case in the current teaching environment where it is so important to find the right person for the right school. I don't for a second believe that anyone in their right mind would stand for what equates to a pay cut over three years where our pay does not rise in line with basic costs of living increases - the hike in petrol costs is one example. Teachers have the right to stand up for themselves and their families just as the firemen did a few years back. Like the firemen, I know full well that they would prefer to be at work and not inconveniencing people - however, that is partly the point of industrial action.

ever increasing class sizes

L wrote:
The gripe that the teachers have is that the emergency services are getting a higher wage then the teachers. And so they should have a higher wage. My partner is firefighter and if you ask me he doesnt get paid enough for risking his life everytime he goes into a fire. so the teachers should stop whining and get a better job if they want more money, thats what the likes of average joe, (you and I) have to do. How about firefighters strike next time?

Parent wrote:

andy wrote:

james wrote: sack them, thats what would happen to me if i went on stike. When will the public sector grow up and get in the real world.

Yes sack them!! You see this is the mentality that teachers have to put up with from "adults" that is then passed on to the pupils. Before you comment on something you clearly have no understanding of think very carefully. Over subscribed schools, ever increasing class sizes, a declining number of students undertaking teacher training due to the pressures of achievement and constant change heaped on us by the government. Sacking is not really the answer is it? The reason you would be sacked in the private sector is because you are replaceable. This is not the case in the current teaching environment where it is so important to find the right person for the right school. I don't for a second believe that anyone in their right mind would stand for what equates to a pay cut over three years where our pay does not rise in line with basic costs of living increases - the hike in petrol costs is one example. Teachers have the right to stand up for themselves and their families just as the firemen did a few years back. Like the firemen, I know full well that they would prefer to be at work and not inconveniencing people - however, that is partly the point of industrial action.

ever increasing class sizes

Are you sure Andy? I thought that the class size limit nationally was 30 - this is why many school place appeals are unsuccessful.

Sussed wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Sussed wrote:

Gavin Marsh wrote: I totally back the teachers and their just strike. I work part-time as a teaching assistant and know full well their commitment to children and young people. Rather than critising them I think we ought to be following their example. Many people I know are struggling to pay bills and prices are on the increase. It makes absolute sense to fight for a wage increase that reflects these increased costs and perhaps eases the pressure of trying to make ends meet in these difficult times.

Too thick to be a proper teacher then?

Jeez - what is it with you? An easy opportunity to slag someone off and brighten up your otherwise dull and meaningless day? TA's do a sterling job; they are an invaluable resource in the classroom, looking after your little darlings, without the formal training of teachers, and if the government had its way, would actually be teaching your little darlings too. If you think teachers are poorly paid (and I appreciate you're probably too small-minded to acknowledge it), you should see what TA's get paid! Pittance isn't an adequate description. Good on you Gavin Marsh.

I only know one teacher, an art teacher who has been in the job probably about 5 years, they are not head of deptartment - just a boggo standard taeacher, and they are already into the 40% tax bracket. I don't view that as being poorly paid. Also i only thought girls became TA's?

Sentient wrote:

Sussed wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Sussed wrote:

Gavin Marsh wrote: I totally back the teachers and their just strike. I work part-time as a teaching assistant and know full well their commitment to children and young people. Rather than critising them I think we ought to be following their example. Many people I know are struggling to pay bills and prices are on the increase. It makes absolute sense to fight for a wage increase that reflects these increased costs and perhaps eases the pressure of trying to make ends meet in these difficult times.

Too thick to be a proper teacher then?

Jeez - what is it with you? An easy opportunity to slag someone off and brighten up your otherwise dull and meaningless day? TA's do a sterling job; they are an invaluable resource in the classroom, looking after your little darlings, without the formal training of teachers, and if the government had its way, would actually be teaching your little darlings too. If you think teachers are poorly paid (and I appreciate you're probably too small-minded to acknowledge it), you should see what TA's get paid! Pittance isn't an adequate description. Good on you Gavin Marsh.

I only know one teacher, an art teacher who has been in the job probably about 5 years, they are not head of deptartment - just a boggo standard taeacher, and they are already into the 40% tax bracket. I don't view that as being poorly paid. Also i only thought girls became TA's?

I know many teachers, and most are not higher rate taxpayers. Your art teacher's maths might be suspect - a "boggo" standard class teacher with no additional responsibility can expect to earn £29,429 (wef 1 Sep. 07) after 7 years of teaching - that is not in the higher rate tax bracket. "Also i only thought girls became TA's?" I can't be bothered with a witty retort.

S. Love wrote:

Sentient wrote: Why is it that when the Fire Service strike, everyone supports them and nurses because they do a great job etc, but as soon as teachers demand the same treatment, they are criticised? Is looking after and educating your children not worthy enough? How would you like a pay cut this year, next year and the year after that? Teachers are simply asking for a payrise at least in line with inflation, in recognition of the important job that they do. \\\"Condor Man\\\" - teachers are all too aware of their responsibility towards the children that they teach. The vast, vast majority do work long hours and are treated like sh@t by a lot of the children and parents in return. When will you appreciate that it\\\'s the parents responsibility to raise their children, teachers to provide and education. Unfortunately a lot of parents seem to think that it is also the school\\\'s job to tech their children all of their social skills e.g. toilet train, feed, clothe, educate and discipline their kids. Teachers go to teacher training college or complete a conversation course after their degree, because they want to teach as a vocation, not because of the benefits and salary. Irrespective of how hard the job may be, most actually want to do the job - they\\\'re just asking to be treated fairly while they do it. It\\\'s not too much to ask for is it? Teachers may earn more than some of the parents of the children they teach; so what? What\\\'s your point? They should earn less than everyone? Just because they earn more than you, they deserve a pay cut?

Why is it that when the Fire Service strike, everyone supports them and nurses because they do a great job etc, but as soon as teachers demand the same treatment, they are criticised? Is looking after and educating your children not worthy enough?

First off, Nurses, Firemen(and women) and the Police risk their lives for all of us, day in day out - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - including Christmas day and Bank holidays too - show me a teacher that works that amount of time! Teachers are working from 9.00 to 3.00 in the afternoon, that includes an hour for lunch and breaktimes too - not so much full time more like part time. Plus I know some teachers leave the School site early if they have no further classes that day - and they now have teaching assistants too. Plus they have holidays every 6 weeks and 1 1/2 months off work each year during the Summer months. Oh, sure we all feel sorry for the poor teachers don't we! I would sack each and everyone of them that walks out this week and hand the schools over to the private sector so they can enjoy working in the real world like everyone else does. By the way, just what is Labour doing about this anyway?

Sussed wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Sussed wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Sussed wrote:

Gavin Marsh wrote: I totally back the teachers and their just strike. I work part-time as a teaching assistant and know full well their commitment to children and young people. Rather than critising them I think we ought to be following their example. Many people I know are struggling to pay bills and prices are on the increase. It makes absolute sense to fight for a wage increase that reflects these increased costs and perhaps eases the pressure of trying to make ends meet in these difficult times.

Too thick to be a proper teacher then?

Jeez - what is it with you? An easy opportunity to slag someone off and brighten up your otherwise dull and meaningless day? TA's do a sterling job; they are an invaluable resource in the classroom, looking after your little darlings, without the formal training of teachers, and if the government had its way, would actually be teaching your little darlings too. If you think teachers are poorly paid (and I appreciate you're probably too small-minded to acknowledge it), you should see what TA's get paid! Pittance isn't an adequate description. Good on you Gavin Marsh.

I only know one teacher, an art teacher who has been in the job probably about 5 years, they are not head of deptartment - just a boggo standard taeacher, and they are already into the 40% tax bracket. I don't view that as being poorly paid. Also i only thought girls became TA's?

I know many teachers, and most are not higher rate taxpayers. Your art teacher's maths might be suspect - a "boggo" standard class teacher with no additional responsibility can expect to earn £29,429 (wef 1 Sep. 07) after 7 years of teaching - that is not in the higher rate tax bracket. "Also i only thought girls became TA's?" I can't be bothered with a witty retort.

I can't work out whether you are a teacher or not. You seem to be so personally involved not to be one yet you have been posting since 1:33pm yesterday. And there was me thinking teachers are over worked!

Condor Man wrote:
When will teachers realise they have a legal duty to supervise those kids as parents have the obligation to send them to school. I remember the strikes in 85 and the contempt that grew for teachers after it. I hope they are docked a days pay at least. SHAME ON THEM, they earn a good wage compared to the parents of most of their pupils.

L wrote:
The gripe that the teachers have is that the emergency services are getting a higher wage then the teachers. And so they should have a higher wage. My partner is firefighter and if you ask me he doesnt get paid enough for risking his life everytime he goes into a fire. so the teachers should stop whining and get a better job if they want more money, thats what the likes of average joe, (you and I) have to do. How about firefighters strike next time?

Bemused wrote:
Some very typical comments from parents and people who clearly don't know any teachers! my husband is a teacher and I can tell you that he often gets no lunch break at all (covering detention, lunchtime clubs etc) - which in any other job would be illegal! Not to mention evening meetings - sometimes several in a week. Oh, and let's not forget parents' evenings - when many parents can't be bothered to turn up for the appointments they've booked - presumably they don't want to miss Eastenders.... And for the teacher who is pleased with her salary of £23k and being on holiday for 25% of the year, working no weekends - my dear, you are clearly not doing your job properly if you don't work at weekends so I pity the children that you're teaching. When do you do your planning, marking etc????

Parent wrote:

fed up teacher wrote:

Cushy number wrote:

Sentient wrote:

Cushy number wrote: Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

If it\\\'s that easy, why don\\\'t you give it a try? If the job is that easy, and teachers get paid so much, whay is there a national shortage of teachers? Whay aren\\\'t you all teaching? They get a final salary pension as well, don\\\'t you know?!! What\\\'s the point in striking during half-term?

The point about half term is a dig at the long holidays - bit too subtle for you! The reason I dont teach is I can and do earn far more doing something else! I didnt say teachers get paid a lot - because they do not but there are other benefits that most teachers forget about when they are enjoying their 13 weeks holiday!

Enjoying our 13 week holiday - working fora lot of it - and then paying to go away whe it is the most expensive time to go on holiday!! Yeah thats really enjoyable. Guess you can take time off when it suits you though and go on holiday when it is cheap. Bet yo wouldn\'t like to b told when you could go on holiday. get real. Would you strike during your holiday???

Ditto fed up teacher! As parents of three school age children unfortunately we can\'t just up and vacation whenever we so feel! Our children have to go to school and it is frowned upon to take them out of school for a cheaper holiday. The difference is that we do not have thirteen weeks of holiday from our job to spend with our children! I have to lose a precious day of my holiday entitlement tomorrow for your strike and I am not happy because it means I will have to take an unpaid day in the Summer holidays when our family takes its annual trip.

Gavin Marsh wrote:
I totally back the teachers and their just strike. I work part-time as a teaching assistant and know full well their commitment to children and young people. Rather than critising them I think we ought to be following their example. Many people I know are struggling to pay bills and prices are on the increase. It makes absolute sense to fight for a wage increase that reflects these increased costs and perhaps eases the pressure of trying to make ends meet in these difficult times.

teacher, not striking, but my school is closed wrote:

Bemused wrote: Some very typical comments from parents and people who clearly don't know any teachers! my husband is a teacher and I can tell you that he often gets no lunch break at all (covering detention, lunchtime clubs etc) - which in any other job would be illegal! Not to mention evening meetings - sometimes several in a week. Oh, and let's not forget parents' evenings - when many parents can't be bothered to turn up for the appointments they've booked - presumably they don't want to miss Eastenders.... And for the teacher who is pleased with her salary of £23k and being on holiday for 25% of the year, working no weekends - my dear, you are clearly not doing your job properly if you don't work at weekends so I pity the children that you're teaching. When do you do your planning, marking etc????

might i suggest that perhaps your husband is having an affair and that is why he has so many evening meetings? both my teaching and my school have been rated outstanding by ofsted and the children make good progress. yet we support work/life balance meaning we are not in school much before 8 and leave before 6. 1 meeting after school is allowed per week, taking work home is discouraged and we leave early on fridays. perhaps we are better at managing our time (and not preoccuppied with adultery).

Eric wrote:

Lynne wrote: My son's school hasn't been mentioned! I'm due back at work tomorrow after taking two weeks holiday to be off with my kids. My boss will not be happy if I have to take Thursday off too. I don't disagree with the strike but their timing is pretty rubbish!

So you don't disagree with the strike. That's good. When might it be convenient to look after your own children then ? Obviously not any weekday but perhaps you can fit them in on weekends.

Cushy number wrote:
Why not strike during half term. If you dont like the pay find another job - or is it a case of those who cant do teach!

Paddy Poopie wrote:

Mike wrote:

Paddy Poopie wrote: Well if all you chav’s that decide to have children, brought them up properly, We as teachers wouldn\'t have a near enough impossible job! The majority of children now are rude, disruptive and uncontrollable! We should be either allowed to give a more effective discipline or higher salaries to comprehend dealing with the sh*t. It\'s alright for you parents to not agree with our pay rise strike, but then maybe you should of gone to uni and been a teacher. Most of you couldn\'t hack it because all you know it\'s to sit on your arse\'s and claim benefits. Probably didn\'t even finish school yourselves!

Paddy Poopie wins the prize for the Worlds most obvious Troll.

If you don\'t like or agree with what I\'ve said, then say it?! I welcome constructive comments and banter.....but please tell me…. What is the point of your comment? Did you know that people who bully other people have something wrong with themselves and that they bully other people to make themselves look good?! The first obvious thing I can spot about you is.... You lack education, or you only have one brain cell that couldn\'t possibly think of anything decent to say rather than intimidating words. I do hope you don\'t have children, especially as you\'ve displayed your lack of intelligence, I would hate to think what they would be like!

Eric wrote:
So what do you do when your kids are sick then Lynne ? If that becomes a strain too perhaps you've got your priorities wrong. As a parent I always have a backup plan. Unfortunately a lot of people find that closures such as inset days a disruption. That's because a lot of couples are determined to both work full time, and want to give nothing up. The school then evolves into a childcare service for them.

Eric wrote:
So what do you do when your kids are sick then Lynne ? If that becomes a strain too perhaps you've got your priorities wrong. As a parent I always have a backup plan. Unfortunately a lot of people find that closures such as inset days a disruption. That's because a lot of couples are determined to both work full time, and want to give nothing up. The school then evolves into a childcare service for them.

Bill wrote:

teacher, not striking, but my school is closed wrote:

Bemused wrote: Some very typical comments from parents and people who clearly don't know any teachers! my husband is a teacher and I can tell you that he often gets no lunch break at all (covering detention, lunchtime clubs etc) - which in any other job would be illegal! Not to mention evening meetings - sometimes several in a week. Oh, and let's not forget parents' evenings - when many parents can't be bothered to turn up for the appointments they've booked - presumably they don't want to miss Eastenders.... And for the teacher who is pleased with her salary of £23k and being on holiday for 25% of the year, working no weekends - my dear, you are clearly not doing your job properly if you don't work at weekends so I pity the children that you're teaching. When do you do your planning, marking etc????

might i suggest that perhaps your husband is having an affair and that is why he has so many evening meetings? both my teaching and my school have been rated outstanding by ofsted and the children make good progress. yet we support work/life balance meaning we are not in school much before 8 and leave before 6. 1 meeting after school is allowed per week, taking work home is discouraged and we leave early on fridays. perhaps we are better at managing our time (and not preoccuppied with adultery).

You are a particularly mean and vicious person and if you take that thought process into the class room with you, I would not want you any where near my children.

Lynne wrote:

Eric wrote: So what do you do when your kids are sick then Lynne ? If that becomes a strain too perhaps you\'ve got your priorities wrong. As a parent I always have a backup plan. Unfortunately a lot of people find that closures such as inset days a disruption. That\'s because a lot of couples are determined to both work full time, and want to give nothing up. The school then evolves into a childcare service for them.

Um - who doesn\'t rely on schools as a form or child care? - Whether that is right or wrong, it\'s FACT! All working parents rely on their kids going to school to enable them to work. Why do you think women who take career breaks return to work when their kids begin school???? Furthermore why is it that the government actively encourage parents on benefits to go to work once their children are of school age??? I rest my case! If my children are ill then of course I am off with them (yes more time off) I guess if you have a back up plan then you have family/friends that don\'t work who could maybe help out?! This doesn\'t happen in my case. As for priorities? My children are of course, hence why I go to work to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouths! Fool! Anyway as someone has previously mentioned we are all getting into pointless tittle tattle. The subject is about teachers striking and as I now know, this isn\'t going to effect me. So to those who are striking - good luck!

Um - who doesn't rely on schools as a form of child care?

All working parents rely on their kids going to school to enable them to work

Why do you think women who take career breaks return to work when their kids begin school????

Furthermore why is it that the government actively encourage parents on benefits to go to work once their children are of school age???

If my children are ill then of course I am off with them (yes more time off) I guess if you have a back up plan then you have family/friends that don't work who could maybe help out?! This doesn't happen in my case.

As for priorities? My children are of course, hence why I go to work to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouths! Fool!

The subject is about teachers striking and as I now know, this isn't going to affect me.
So to those who are striking - good luck!

Bemused wrote:

Bill wrote:

teacher, not striking, but my school is closed wrote:

Bemused wrote: Some very typical comments from parents and people who clearly don\'t know any teachers! my husband is a teacher and I can tell you that he often gets no lunch break at all (covering detention, lunchtime clubs etc) - which in any other job would be illegal! Not to mention evening meetings - sometimes several in a week. Oh, and let\'s not forget parents\' evenings - when many parents can\'t be bothered to turn up for the appointments they\'ve booked - presumably they don\'t want to miss Eastenders.... And for the teacher who is pleased with her salary of £23k and being on holiday for 25% of the year, working no weekends - my dear, you are clearly not doing your job properly if you don\'t work at weekends so I pity the children that you\'re teaching. When do you do your planning, marking etc????

might i suggest that perhaps your husband is having an affair and that is why he has so many evening meetings? both my teaching and my school have been rated outstanding by ofsted and the children make good progress. yet we support work/life balance meaning we are not in school much before 8 and leave before 6. 1 meeting after school is allowed per week, taking work home is discouraged and we leave early on fridays. perhaps we are better at managing our time (and not preoccuppied with adultery).

You are a particularly mean and vicious person and if you take that thought process into the class room with you, I would not want you any where near my children.

To Bill - thank you for your response! To the teacher ( yes I still don\'t think you do your job properly and I know that Ofsted isn\'t foolproof so don\'t give me that nonsense) - if that\'s all you can come back with then you are very sad and bitter. The meetings in question are Governors and PTA meetings, as well as parents\' evenings - how ridiculous to suggest anything else! So presumably if a child went missing, or a serious problem happened on a Friday you as a true professional would just head off for the weekend as you\'d done your hours for the week?? How do you keep up with marking if you don\'t take work home?? I defy any teacher who carries out all of their job properly not to work most weekends - it\'s impossible. You are a disgrace to the profession and I\'m glad you don\'t teach in my husband\'s school.

Eric wrote:

Lynne wrote:

Eric wrote: So what do you do when your kids are sick then Lynne ? If that becomes a strain too perhaps you\\\'ve got your priorities wrong. As a parent I always have a backup plan. Unfortunately a lot of people find that closures such as inset days a disruption. That\\\'s because a lot of couples are determined to both work full time, and want to give nothing up. The school then evolves into a childcare service for them.

Um - who doesn\\\'t rely on schools as a form or child care? - Whether that is right or wrong, it\\\'s FACT! All working parents rely on their kids going to school to enable them to work. Why do you think women who take career breaks return to work when their kids begin school???? Furthermore why is it that the government actively encourage parents on benefits to go to work once their children are of school age??? I rest my case! If my children are ill then of course I am off with them (yes more time off) I guess if you have a back up plan then you have family/friends that don\\\'t work who could maybe help out?! This doesn\\\'t happen in my case. As for priorities? My children are of course, hence why I go to work to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouths! Fool! Anyway as someone has previously mentioned we are all getting into pointless tittle tattle. The subject is about teachers striking and as I now know, this isn\\\'t going to effect me. So to those who are striking - good luck!

Touch a raw nerve did I Lynne ?

Um - who doesn\'t rely on schools as a form of child care?

You certainly do. In common with many others, I don’t. When there are day closures and school holidays you’re stuffed .

All working parents rely on their kids going to school to enable them to work

You certainly do. Some people like my wife and I adjusted their hours and earn less rather than work every hour and live on the edge.

Why do you think women who take career breaks return to work when their kids begin school????

Simply because some have taken on an enormous mortgage rather than live within their means.

Furthermore why is it that the government actively encourage parents on benefits to go to work once their children are of school age???

So those on benefits are not a burden to others. Those who work should adapt their hours.

If my children are ill then of course I am off with them (yes more time off) I guess if you have a back up plan then you have family/friends that don\'t work who could maybe help out?! This doesn\'t happen in my case.

No family or friends help us out. We do it all ourselves. And just earn less.

As for priorities? My children are of course, hence why I go to work to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouths! Fool!

Yes, I’m the fool. I should “ rely” on the free childcare service more, just like you. I’d certainly be a lot better off !

The subject is about teachers striking and as I now know, this isn\'t going to affect me. So to those who are striking - good luck!

Good luck to the strikers from you ( as long as you are not inconvenienced !! ) And genuine good wishes to the Teachers from me !

Teacher wrote:

Bemused wrote:

Bill wrote:

teacher, not striking, but my school is closed wrote:

Bemused wrote: Some very typical comments from parents and people who clearly don\'t know any teachers! my husband is a teacher and I can tell you that he often gets no lunch break at all (covering detention, lunchtime clubs etc) - which in any other job would be illegal! Not to mention evening meetings - sometimes several in a week. Oh, and let\'s not forget parents\' evenings - when many parents can\'t be bothered to turn up for the appointments they\'ve booked - presumably they don\'t want to miss Eastenders.... And for the teacher who is pleased with her salary of £23k and being on holiday for 25% of the year, working no weekends - my dear, you are clearly not doing your job properly if you don\'t work at weekends so I pity the children that you\'re teaching. When do you do your planning, marking etc????

might i suggest that perhaps your husband is having an affair and that is why he has so many evening meetings? both my teaching and my school have been rated outstanding by ofsted and the children make good progress. yet we support work/life balance meaning we are not in school much before 8 and leave before 6. 1 meeting after school is allowed per week, taking work home is discouraged and we leave early on fridays. perhaps we are better at managing our time (and not preoccuppied with adultery).

You are a particularly mean and vicious person and if you take that thought process into the class room with you, I would not want you any where near my children.

To Bill - thank you for your response! To the teacher ( yes I still don\'t think you do your job properly and I know that Ofsted isn\'t foolproof so don\'t give me that nonsense) - if that\'s all you can come back with then you are very sad and bitter. The meetings in question are Governors and PTA meetings, as well as parents\' evenings - how ridiculous to suggest anything else! So presumably if a child went missing, or a serious problem happened on a Friday you as a true professional would just head off for the weekend as you\'d done your hours for the week?? How do you keep up with marking if you don\'t take work home?? I defy any teacher who carries out all of their job properly not to work most weekends - it\'s impossible. You are a disgrace to the profession and I\'m glad you don\'t teach in my husband\'s school.

Although I don't agree with the comment made about your husband and the reasons why he is in school so late, I feel some of your comments are unfounded as well. My school too has been rated as outstanding and we are in the top 100 schools in the country for CVA. Of the teachers I work with, few feel the need to regularly take work home with them. This is not a requirement of teaching, and certainly does not make you a disgrace to the profession if you choose to work at school and have a social/home life. If I were to take work home in the evenings, I would be missing out on seeing, feeding, bathing my baby daughter. I wouldn't be doing anything enjoyable and relaxing with my wife and baby at weekends and would soon find myself living to work, rather than working to live. Ultimately I would get fed up of the job and this would effect my performance. Under my system of work from 7.30am - 5pm and then forget about the job, I feel refreshed and ready for the following day. My pupils are not suffering as a result of this practice. The only work I will do in the evening at home is resource making or research and that is only because I enjoy it (and the internet connection is far better). Please don't assume that because other teachers choose to have a home life that this makes them inferior and unprofessional. An integral part of the job is to inspire and enthuse pupils, and with some teachers, all of the planning in the world won't help them in this case (this is not a loaded comment). Whereas we all work, we work smart as well, prioritise and organise.

Lynne wrote:

Eric wrote:

Lynne wrote:

Eric wrote: So what do you do when your kids are sick then Lynne ? If that becomes a strain too perhaps you\\\'ve got your priorities wrong. As a parent I always have a backup plan. Unfortunately a lot of people find that closures such as inset days a disruption. That\\\'s because a lot of couples are determined to both work full time, and want to give nothing up. The school then evolves into a childcare service for them.

Um - who doesn\\\'t rely on schools as a form or child care? - Whether that is right or wrong, it\\\'s FACT! All working parents rely on their kids going to school to enable them to work. Why do you think women who take career breaks return to work when their kids begin school???? Furthermore why is it that the government actively encourage parents on benefits to go to work once their children are of school age??? I rest my case! If my children are ill then of course I am off with them (yes more time off) I guess if you have a back up plan then you have family/friends that don\\\'t work who could maybe help out?! This doesn\\\'t happen in my case. As for priorities? My children are of course, hence why I go to work to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouths! Fool! Anyway as someone has previously mentioned we are all getting into pointless tittle tattle. The subject is about teachers striking and as I now know, this isn\\\'t going to effect me. So to those who are striking - good luck!

Touch a raw nerve did I Lynne ?

Um - who doesn\'t rely on schools as a form of child care?

You certainly do. In common with many others, I don’t. When there are day closures and school holidays you’re stuffed .

All working parents rely on their kids going to school to enable them to work

You certainly do. Some people like my wife and I adjusted their hours and earn less rather than work every hour and live on the edge.

Why do you think women who take career breaks return to work when their kids begin school????

Simply because some have taken on an enormous mortgage rather than live within their means.

Furthermore why is it that the government actively encourage parents on benefits to go to work once their children are of school age???

So those on benefits are not a burden to others. Those who work should adapt their hours.

If my children are ill then of course I am off with them (yes more time off) I guess if you have a back up plan then you have family/friends that don\'t work who could maybe help out?! This doesn\'t happen in my case.

No family or friends help us out. We do it all ourselves. And just earn less.

As for priorities? My children are of course, hence why I go to work to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their mouths! Fool!

Yes, I’m the fool. I should “ rely” on the free childcare service more, just like you. I’d certainly be a lot better off !

The subject is about teachers striking and as I now know, this isn\'t going to affect me. So to those who are striking - good luck!

Good luck to the strikers from you ( as long as you are not inconvenienced !! ) And genuine good wishes to the Teachers from me !

Ha ha you have certainly given me a laugh! Although maybe you don't work at all seeing as you have time for the above and at that hour of the day! Or is that the "less hours you work" time? As for child care - I do have child care thanks, I don't work between 9 & 3 you know - I just choose to use my holiday entitlement on school hols so I don't have to pay out so much. This I would have thought would be obvious as my entitlement certainly doesn't match the time a child has off school! What are you going on about earning less and adapting to hours - makes no sense at all! I can only assume if you can take time off at a couple of days notice with no inconvenience you must be self employed!

Anon wrote:
I am appalled by the number of ignorant comments from both sides of the argument. The patronising tone taken by non educationalists, who believe that teaching is an easy lot and the clear denigration of public sector workers is most irritating and quite frankly ill informed. Yes there are many benefits to being a teacher, not least the sense of contributing to society and the sense of achievement in helping young people gain qualifications and move up in the world. The profession would appreciate recognition for their hard work despite constant changing government intiatives and negative comments from the general public. All teachers are highly qualified and their skills should surely be recognised and rewarded. Why don\'t some of the detractors of the teaching profession try appreciating the support their children receive from their teachers? I think this debate would benefit from less emotive rhetoric and assumptions being made by the ill informed and perhaps an attempt to base comments on fact.

teacher, not striking, but my school is closed wrote:
and how much do we bet that the husband goit questioned anyway?