Many secondary and primary schools are now using support staff to do tasks which are not within their remit.
For example, a cover supervisor is only employed to cover lessons for absent staff. They are paid significantly less than a qualified teacher. Theoretically they need only to be over the age of 18 and to possess GCSE level literacy and numeracy skills in order to be considered for the post.
Most local authorities have guidelines on the deployment of cover supervisors which stipulate that cover supervisors
- only provide short term cover for absent staff (there is no clear definition of short term but I take it to mean no more than a week for any individual teacher)
- only supervise lessons that have been planned and resourced by the absent teacher
- are not required to provide their own resources for lessons
- are not required to plan or mark students' work
- are not required to cover practical lessons such as science, technology or sports unless fully supported by a qualified teacher
- are not required to write reports or attend parents' evenings
- are not required to do admin. tasks or cleaning when there are no staff absenses
- are provided with support at all times
- are not required to carry out break or lunch duties
- are given regular training for professional development.
I am aware that many schools are not complying with these guidelines.
If you work as a cover supervisor or TA in your local school or you know of cover supervisors, teaching assistants or admin. staff in your local school who are being given the full responsibilities of a teacher, please notify the LEA and the school's Board of Governors. If they are working as teachers, they should be paid as teachers.