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Is it legal to be asked to stay in school with pupils when everyone else leaves the site? Can anyone help?

12 replies

prettypurpledaisy · 03/07/2008 20:36

I work as a cover supervisor at a secondary school. Tomorrow is sports day and the school are going to a sister school to compete. Every child has to complete a permission slip. I am being asked to stay at school with the children who have not returned the slips. There will be caretakers and admin staff in the building but no qualified teachers.
Are they allowed to do it? I cannot get hold of anyone from my union to ask and was hoping some marvellous mumsnetter could help me.
Thanks for reading this.

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fizzbuzz · 03/07/2008 20:41

Can't help sorry, but does sound like a union issue..........

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claricebeansmum · 03/07/2008 20:43

Surely this is the nature of your job? To "cover" when nobody else is around?

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BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 03/07/2008 20:47

Unions doncha just love 'em.

What ever happened to common sense ?

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fizzbuzz · 03/07/2008 20:55

How many aren't going?

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prettypurpledaisy · 03/07/2008 21:03

There will be about 10 I think. I know I have to cover but it seems a bit wrong somehow to leave me there on my own, it will be weird and I am a bit nervous to be honest.
Thanks for answering.

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fizzbuzz · 03/07/2008 21:09

Why aren't they going, it is compulsory at our school.

I think to leave you in sole charge with no back up, or senior member of staff is a bit much. Are they difficult kids?

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fizzbuzz · 03/07/2008 21:10

Have just remembered, we have then who don't go, and they stay in school with a senior member of staff around

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prettypurpledaisy · 03/07/2008 21:49

The ones who are staying are difficult and the other cover supervisor is not staying because they feel I have more of a rappour with the kids. This may well be true but what sanctions do I have. The kids know I have no real power over them and what happens in an emergency. I will do it and watch dvds all day but I feel it is a bit wrong to ask me to do it. Still I suppose it is covered in my contract with any other duties.

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Lola234 · 21/07/2008 10:40

yes it is legal!

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Lauriefairycake · 21/07/2008 17:48

It might be legal, but it is daft. You are quite likely to have the most difficult kids in school - I know I'm generalising but parents who don't return permission slips will likely have the most difficult kids right?

I hope you have procedures in place in case any run off and a contact number for the head/deputy in case of emergency.

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Whizzz · 21/07/2008 17:57

I agree that as a cover supervisor your job is to cover classes & manage behaviour. I would however ask for a school mobile + contact number for office and / or SMT in case of any emergency.