Should I tell my job they need to be paying me more ?

[Usemyname123]

I was employed at a school as a cover supervisor in January. I also have a teaching qualification, and I have been covering a teacher for 3 weeks now.
The teacher in question has left without giving notice. Before me, they were bringing in different supply teachers every day (the teacher went off sick mid January) and when I entered the room, it was an absolute tip.
Even though she left in January, the teacher had not marked books or set homework since November.
The kids have been messed around and had no stability. I'm not saying I am some kind of saviour but I have cleaned the whole room, and I am effectively now their teacher at the moment.
No cover work is set by anyone so I plan and deliver all the lessons, mark and keep the books tidy.
I am aware that this is well over what a cover supervisor should be doing. I am paid less than £17,000 per year, and I am doing more than the 35 hours I'm paid for.
I'm not an NQT and luckily quite fast with planning and such, but I feel that the school are taking advantage.
I have not been told how long I will be covering for, I also think it's unfair on the kids as they are starting to get used to me and vice versa and they will be given yet another teacher.
2 other teachers have quit so there are effectively 3 jobs available in the dept. I have applied and hoping to get an interview.
Do you think I should talk to them about my salary ? I am only wary as I just started last month and don't want to start on bad terms with them.

They are paying you as a cover supervisor but you are acting like a teacher. That is your choice. I very much doubt they are going to pay you more.

I am being taken advantage of, and it's not fair really. I think if they don't offer me one of the 3 roles I may look elsewhere. Prior to covering for this teacher I also covered for another for 3 weeks, they had told her 'Do not set any cover' but she was kind enough to still do it.
But it shows that they expected me again to plan.

I definitely think a sit down is necessary. However I would first ask about their future plans and what they're planning to do before bringing up your salary.
After hearing them out whether they want to keep you definitely discuss your wage and if they don't use that time to explain what you've told us in terms of cleaning up the classroom, developing a bond with the children and doing more work than you role permits.
Good luck.

No doubt you have done a great thing for that class but you weren’t asked to do I think you can’t ask for more until you’re appointed. Would definitely use all that you have done in your interview though.

You say it is my choice but if I don't plan lessons and set homework, the kids will have nothing, because nobody else is doing it

I think if I were you I'd wait and see what happens with the job interviews. If you get one of the job then presumably you'll be paid accordingly. If not and you continue doing the teaching then I think you need to tell them that if you're doing the teaching you should be paid accordingly.

At the point of realisation of no planning, I would have gone to the head and asked if they wanted you to plan and that would have led into a discussion about fair pay.

Why are you being employed as a cover supervisor and not a supply teacher?.

They should be using supply teacher. Is there a reason they are not?

but if I don't plan lessons and set homework, the kids will have nothing, because nobody else is doing it

Yeah. It’s still not your job, and you won’t be thanked (or paid). It will just be the expected norm because you did it for free. In fact, I think cover supervisors have largely become underpaid teachers already, mainly because they can be dismissed and replaced so easily. Planning seems to be the norm, marking increasingly so.

Anyway, have the conversation with them. It can’t hurt.

Thank you for putting so much care into your class.

This is so depressing. Poor kids. Well done, OP, for stepping up. If they don't value you you should definitely move on.

What year is the class?

I think you should have a meeting and explain how things were left before you joined and what you have done to turn it around.

I would say to them that if you were paid and given the title of teacher you could do so much more.

Talk about how the children seem more settled and are now getting more work done because of the stability.

I would say that it would be a shame if they dont give you the role, as the children would have to begin with a new teacher again and this could affect their learning and development.

I would big up the school and say how much you enjoy being part of the team and how you think this school could be an amazing part of the community.

True I was not asked to, but there is no cover work and hasn't been for 3 weeks so i have not had the choice. If I didn't plan work we would be sitting there every lesson.
It's that I am expected to, not that I haven't been asked to.
I have enquired about being employed as a teacher and they know I have sent an application so we shall se.

Absolutely use this to get the job but if you don’t get it, move on and learn from the experience. It’s always hard to negotiate after the event. Good luck.

Does a cover supervisor normally plan? I didn’t think they did so when you say there will be nothing if you don’t plan, that would be when I would’ve gone to the head to say I’ve just had to fill a lesson from my own planning, if you’d like to me to plan going forward, can I have confirmation that I will be paid for that role?

I think you need to see the head and say calmly that they can't have it both ways. Either they employ you as a supervisor, in which case the regular staff need to be setting the work, or as a supply teacher, in which case you will do that extra work, but you need to be paid at that level. You will not, in future, be doing the work of a supply teacher but being paid only as a supervisor.

Thank you for all the replies so far. I'm not really sure what to do. I assume they are using me because I am cheaper for them than a supply teacher, and as I am a subject specialist.
There are other Cover Supervisors within the school but as far as I know, they are not on any long-term cover.
It will be a kick in the teeth if I don't get offered a teacher role but that's the way it goes.

Yes you should politely ask for more. Many men would not hesitate btw.

You’re not being unreasonable but I’d be beyond shocked if they just gave you more money for what you’re doing now. Good luck though, you deserve so much more than you’re getting!

Also, it's different classes between years 7 to 11.

Thank you. I guess it is one of those things, in many jobs we do more than our job description without thanks or extra pay.

You say you have a teaching qualification, but do not say if you are actually a fully qualified teacher. I am an LSA, most of us (LSAs) at my place of work, a further education college have a teaching qualification as in PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS or more recent equivalent, we would however not be qualified to teach in a secondary school.

Yes am a fully qualified teacher.