i was just wondering ,with 1000s of schools in UK closed ,for instance do schools in Canada -iceland -Norway take the winter off
school
- Thread starter joeby
- Start date
We are raising a nation of wimps through H&S policy and the compensation culture that seems to have spread like a cancer in the last 10 years.
- Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Ray,
From my experience your last comment is distinctly unfair. I have a close relationship with a number of schools, and I can honestly say that the vast majority of teachers and other school staff work beyond the call of duty.
I am a governor at two local schools, a primary and a secondary. The primary has remained open, and all the staff have made it in - and one member has to travel 35 miles!. The majority of children have been in, because living quite locally to the school they can be walked in.
The secondary has been closed, but out of a staff of 150, only ten did not make it to school. I am not aware of the reasons, it may not have been the weather. The reason the school has been closed, is two fold. Firstly it is difficult to keep the grounds and paths clear and safe to walk on due to the snow fall and underlying ice, but also the school has a very large catchment area, and the majority of children are bussed on specially booked coaches. The snow conditions across the catchment area has been very variable, from 6 inches to about 1 inch.
The bus companies have had concerns about travelling, and whilst it may be relatively easy in the morning, the conditions can change significantly by the afternoon.
Generally there has been an increase in the number of parents who bring claims of negligence against schools, for what ever reason (one of them may be unsafe footpaths etc). Even if it is proved the school has done every thing it reasonably can and is thus not liable, the costs of defending such cases still falls on the school's budget, and such cases are often quite expensive.
From my experience your last comment is distinctly unfair. I have a close relationship with a number of schools, and I can honestly say that the vast majority of teachers and other school staff work beyond the call of duty.
I am a governor at two local schools, a primary and a secondary. The primary has remained open, and all the staff have made it in - and one member has to travel 35 miles!. The majority of children have been in, because living quite locally to the school they can be walked in.
The secondary has been closed, but out of a staff of 150, only ten did not make it to school. I am not aware of the reasons, it may not have been the weather. The reason the school has been closed, is two fold. Firstly it is difficult to keep the grounds and paths clear and safe to walk on due to the snow fall and underlying ice, but also the school has a very large catchment area, and the majority of children are bussed on specially booked coaches. The snow conditions across the catchment area has been very variable, from 6 inches to about 1 inch.
The bus companies have had concerns about travelling, and whilst it may be relatively easy in the morning, the conditions can change significantly by the afternoon.
Generally there has been an increase in the number of parents who bring claims of negligence against schools, for what ever reason (one of them may be unsafe footpaths etc). Even if it is proved the school has done every thing it reasonably can and is thus not liable, the costs of defending such cases still falls on the school's budget, and such cases are often quite expensive.
Don't get me started on the post Ray!!
1) No regular post for the last three days, either to our farm (mildly challenging due to some snow on the track) or to my parents who live on a clear main road less than a mile away.
2) Urgent parcel sent to Norwich on Tuesday by Royal Mail next day "Guaranteed" Special Delivery containing electronic controller for our AGA. Didn't get there until Thursday.
Still waiting for the repaired item to return by post, despite it being posted back on Thursday. As a result we have a freezing cold kitchen and have been cooking on a Camping Gaz two ring burner.
So right now the Post Office/Royal Mail/Consignia or whatever they call themselves nowadays are not at the top of my list as a role model for "business as usual" in adverse weather conditions
1) No regular post for the last three days, either to our farm (mildly challenging due to some snow on the track) or to my parents who live on a clear main road less than a mile away.
2) Urgent parcel sent to Norwich on Tuesday by Royal Mail next day "Guaranteed" Special Delivery containing electronic controller for our AGA. Didn't get there until Thursday.
Still waiting for the repaired item to return by post, despite it being posted back on Thursday. As a result we have a freezing cold kitchen and have been cooking on a Camping Gaz two ring burner.
So right now the Post Office/Royal Mail/Consignia or whatever they call themselves nowadays are not at the top of my list as a role model for "business as usual" in adverse weather conditions
Hi,
In another discussion, in another group, a couple of years ago, somebody mentioned that their "local" school was equiped to accomadate pupils overnight, if necessary. This was somewhere in Scotland, I think.
When I was being interviewed for a job at DVLC in 1972, I was asked if I would have any problems getting into work as I lived so far away. About 12 miles. I never failed to get in, and was NEVER even late, from 1972 to 1984.
My wife went for a promotion interview at DSA in Nottingham. We live in Swansea. She was complimented for getting there, when local staff couldn't/didn't.
A teacher managed to get to work, despite living 35 miles away (see earlier mail). Good for her! But I wonder if living within walking distance should be a requirement of the job? (incoming flak!)My local primary school was closed mid-morning, last year, due to snow. The teachers had to stay to look after the children whose parents could not be contacted.
Hmmm. Close the local school to save money, bus the kids into town, charge parents for the bus fare. There could be advantages in keeping local school open, asking parents to contribute to that cost instead. I watched a procession of 17 double decker school buses drive thru Pontardawe one evening.
Civil servants are (were?) expected to walk up to five miles into work if public transport was disrupted.
602
In another discussion, in another group, a couple of years ago, somebody mentioned that their "local" school was equiped to accomadate pupils overnight, if necessary. This was somewhere in Scotland, I think.
When I was being interviewed for a job at DVLC in 1972, I was asked if I would have any problems getting into work as I lived so far away. About 12 miles. I never failed to get in, and was NEVER even late, from 1972 to 1984.
My wife went for a promotion interview at DSA in Nottingham. We live in Swansea. She was complimented for getting there, when local staff couldn't/didn't.
A teacher managed to get to work, despite living 35 miles away (see earlier mail). Good for her! But I wonder if living within walking distance should be a requirement of the job? (incoming flak!)My local primary school was closed mid-morning, last year, due to snow. The teachers had to stay to look after the children whose parents could not be contacted.
Hmmm. Close the local school to save money, bus the kids into town, charge parents for the bus fare. There could be advantages in keeping local school open, asking parents to contribute to that cost instead. I watched a procession of 17 double decker school buses drive thru Pontardawe one evening.
Civil servants are (were?) expected to walk up to five miles into work if public transport was disrupted.
602
As I said above in reply to John L ...
" H&S policy and the compensation culture"
When we were kids the playgrounds were a complete sheet of ice from us sliding on it.
The schools in Hereford are all shut after going back for 1 day after Christmas. The colleges teachers must be made of sturdier stuff because they are open and the students all come from the same catchment area as the school pupils. I find that rather puzzling.
" H&S policy and the compensation culture"
When we were kids the playgrounds were a complete sheet of ice from us sliding on it.
The schools in Hereford are all shut after going back for 1 day after Christmas. The colleges teachers must be made of sturdier stuff because they are open and the students all come from the same catchment area as the school pupils. I find that rather puzzling.
In hindsight, after making my above post, is the reason college lecturers are of made sturdier stuff because before lecturing on say bricklaying, they have actually worked on building sites or teaching welding the lecturer has worked in engineering?
Teachers leave school, then college, maybe afterwards go to university and all this time in a snug centrally heated room.
Just a thought :O)
Teachers leave school, then college, maybe afterwards go to university and all this time in a snug centrally heated room.
Just a thought :O)
Our little village school still stayed open. Teachers walked to school from both the local town and the surrounding villages. Children from ours and other vilages also walked / came on sledge with parents pulling them. Some of the children live in the town which is only a couple of miles away and didn't have as far to walk. Many of the children from the town in particular didn't come to school last week (going by my two grandaughters year groups). We are still under snow although the bus is coming through now so hopefully things should be back to normal this week. Are we a nation of softies?
one member of staff lives 35 miles away you say, I think my average drive throughout this adverse weather was around 180-200 each day last so 35 does not impress me at all.
I think that if teachers had there money stopped for these days off they would not be so keen for the schools to close.
I also think it sets a poor example to the children.
Teachers get enough holidays each year without swinging more at the excuse of the weather.
this is only a fairly recent thing as both my perents where teachers for 30 odd years and never once did there schools close due to the weather.
It would be a fine thing if we all stayed at home, no police ,ambulance ,fire service, on shops open I could go on
When I was a kid (OK, I can hear the yawns)I lived 8 miles from school, out in the sticks, and can never remember missing a day due to bad weather. I can also remember playgrounds like LBs, and the broken arms and legs therefrom! I have always lived in rural areas, and only ONCE in 45 years failed to turn in to work in bad weather ( and that, really, was just me being stroppy!).I believe it's called dedication to duty, something which is sadly lacking in modern society.
Our post people have not been delivering anything!
Todays Health and Safety rules and guidance to schools from LEA's and councils are to blame, don't blame the teachers!
Some teachers at our local village school live near to it and wanted to clear paths and open the school.
The caretaker is unable to clear snow and ice as was done in the past due to H&S and the teachers were told thay had to go home!
Todays Health and Safety rules and guidance to schools from LEA's and councils are to blame, don't blame the teachers!
Some teachers at our local village school live near to it and wanted to clear paths and open the school.
The caretaker is unable to clear snow and ice as was done in the past due to H&S and the teachers were told thay had to go home!
Hi,
You think its bad in England are Goverment in Ireland are a joke all the schools in the hole country have been closed till Wednesday.
The mad thing is that its raining where we are and cant see why the Children have to stay at home.
What is this world becoming.
Whilst certain parts of the country have been hit harder than others, I have only praise for the Head of my daughter's school. My daughter has a bad knee (is under hospital investigation and is awaiting an MRI scan). I took my daughter to school on Thursday (as chance would have it, she was at the hospital on Wed so missed the school being closed for the day!). I was greated by the Head who asked me to consider taking my daughter home as she was concerned about her slipping over in the school yard and further damaging her knee. I don't think the concern was over any litigous reason, but more out of genuine concern for my daughter's well-being. I was happy to take her home and made sure she spent the time wisely.
It's snowing again now so will be prepared for a similar return journey tomorrow morning.
Clear evidence that in today's society, common sense is alive and well!
It's snowing again now so will be prepared for a similar return journey tomorrow morning.
Clear evidence that in today's society, common sense is alive and well!
My youngest daughters school has only been closed for 2 days last week, and is open today as well. The head sent a message stating 'The school will be open as normal from 8.55am, if you feel it is not safe to get your child to school please keep them at home' The road leading to the school has not seen a gritter or snow plough all week.
Compare this to my other 2 childrens secondary school, they are on major bus routes as is the majority of their catchment area. The school was closed for 3 days last week, and is now closed to all pupils except those taking exams. Bearing in mind that according to local radio they are one of 2 closed in North Derbyshire today ( the other is at Chapel en le Frith). The descision was made at 7pm Sunday night. We haven't had as much snow as was forcast, and its now sleety rain and the lying snow is starting to thaw. I think they are taking the P
Compare this to my other 2 childrens secondary school, they are on major bus routes as is the majority of their catchment area. The school was closed for 3 days last week, and is now closed to all pupils except those taking exams. Bearing in mind that according to local radio they are one of 2 closed in North Derbyshire today ( the other is at Chapel en le Frith). The descision was made at 7pm Sunday night. We haven't had as much snow as was forcast, and its now sleety rain and the lying snow is starting to thaw. I think they are taking the P
Hi,
If the local Police Chief says that the roads are too dangerous for the school buses. then shouldn't he instruct his constables to stop any cars they see, and book the drivers for Dangerous Driving? (Tongue in cheek).
Personally, I'm having no problems with the roads, Discovery or KIA, gritted or not (usually the latter), its the pavements that worry me. So I walk on the road, with pooch on leash, and frequently have to dive for cover as cars blast towards me. There ain't no give or take.
602
If the local Police Chief says that the roads are too dangerous for the school buses. then shouldn't he instruct his constables to stop any cars they see, and book the drivers for Dangerous Driving? (Tongue in cheek).
Personally, I'm having no problems with the roads, Discovery or KIA, gritted or not (usually the latter), its the pavements that worry me. So I walk on the road, with pooch on leash, and frequently have to dive for cover as cars blast towards me. There ain't no give or take.
602
- Jun 20, 2005
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Even in the worst of teh snow last week all the local dogs were out with their owners for an hour or two. Did I worry about my dogs slipping over? No.
The local kids whose school was closed were out in the snow all day building snowmen and sliding about on new sledges mum and dad had bought them.
So why was the school closed? A lot of the teachers cars were stuck on their driveways and the head was worried about accidents in the playground.
Cheers
Dustydog
The local kids whose school was closed were out in the snow all day building snowmen and sliding about on new sledges mum and dad had bought them.
So why was the school closed? A lot of the teachers cars were stuck on their driveways and the head was worried about accidents in the playground.
Cheers
Dustydog
I was on holiday in Nova Scotia a couple of years ago. They have serious winters there as you can expect.
When we asked in a shop when the local kids broke up for holidays, they scratched their heads..." can't remember how many snow days they had this year" In other words if you miss a day during term, you stay on at the end to catch up! That puts greater pressure on staff and parents to get the school open if they can. They deal with weather, not use it as a excuse.
When we asked in a shop when the local kids broke up for holidays, they scratched their heads..." can't remember how many snow days they had this year" In other words if you miss a day during term, you stay on at the end to catch up! That puts greater pressure on staff and parents to get the school open if they can. They deal with weather, not use it as a excuse.
I live on top of the Chiltern hills and I have had milk, mail and newspapers delivered every day since the snow started despite the fact that there is 8" of the white stuff out there.Our village school has been shut, but as most of the teachers seem to live 20-25 mile away it is hardly supprising. If housing in my area was cheaper, then maybe teachers could live close to where they work, or maybe we should just pay them more.
Steve W
Steve W
The secondary school where I work shut for one day purely because the busses would not run and being a rural school 70% of our students come by bus. The decision to shut was made not by the school but the education authority, in fact that particular day most of the teachers made it in to be told to go home again. On other days my classes were down to between 75% and 50% attendance and most of those were parents refusing to send them because they deemed it to dangerous!
If our school is representative of most then it is not unusual for teachers to do 40 / 50 mile daily round trips in fact our head does 60+
If our school is representative of most then it is not unusual for teachers to do 40 / 50 mile daily round trips in fact our head does 60+
Steve W - Pay them more??????? Jeez, let me think a minute. How about 'No' - with a capital F.
Looks like a fairly decent salary anyway before you take account of 14 weeks holiday, Inset days, paid sick leave, paid snow leave and a gold plated pension to boot.
It's nothing but a bunch of days off as it is. Pay them a day rate and only pay for the days they actually teach. That sounds like a much better use of our taxes. That's how most of the private sector works and look which is more efficient.
Amazing isn't it. We had snow in 94 which was bad (by our measly standards) and I think 86 was quite bad too. Same back in the 70's as well. Except back in those days we just got on with it. Country's gone soft.
Looks like a fairly decent salary anyway before you take account of 14 weeks holiday, Inset days, paid sick leave, paid snow leave and a gold plated pension to boot.
It's nothing but a bunch of days off as it is. Pay them a day rate and only pay for the days they actually teach. That sounds like a much better use of our taxes. That's how most of the private sector works and look which is more efficient.
Amazing isn't it. We had snow in 94 which was bad (by our measly standards) and I think 86 was quite bad too. Same back in the 70's as well. Except back in those days we just got on with it. Country's gone soft.
Our kids are back(Primary) after a week off.They arent allowed out to play in the snow at breaktimes or lunchtimes.They are desperate to play in it with their friends. Normally, they play football in the uneven concrete playground.
No I am not a teacher, I was not clever enough, but I know a few who would get very upset at his remarks.
Steve W
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