Would you make a complaint about this supply teacher ?

[Username109876]

I keep the classroom tidy, there was a teacher covering the last 2 periods. When I came back at the end, the room was an absolute bombsite. Pens and paper all over the floor, desks moved all over the place, the neat piles of paper I had made were strewn all over.
Water bottles, highlighters etc. Just strewn everywhere.
It took me a good 40 minutes to clean it up, I doubt most working people would have that spare time when they had other important stuff.
I do understand that it's hard for supply teachers who only come in for the day, don't know the kids etc. Because the kids do misbehave.
However the teacher could have taken 5 minutes to make it look a bit less disastrous and have the courtesy to at least collect the papers in, rather than thinking it's not their problem, someone else will do it.
I've got photos of the room, i'm wondering whether to just let it go this time or report it to the person who organises cover ? Thanks

I always tell the person in charge of cover/supply.

Is it possible the teacher intended to come back and clean up, or had they left the building?

Tell the cover supervisor and ask them to tell the supply's agency to give them feedback. It's not ok to leave a classroom like that.

I’d be giving the class a sanction for that, tbh. They know it’s unacceptable and they know it should not be left like that, even with a supply teacher.

As a former supply teacher I say report.
I always used to tidy the classroom, do any necessary marking and leave a note for the teacher.
I considered it to be part of what I was paid for.

I'd have a word with the Head, what age of children are they, they shouldn't be leaving that amount of crap for anyone to have to clear up really.

I book the supply teachers at my school. I always ask teachers how their supply has been so I can specifically request they do/don't return. Definitely mention it.

Definitely provide feedback to the supply agency and let whoever books supply at your school know too. I’m a supply teacher and wouldn’t dream of leaving the classroom in any state other than I found it in (or better).

Youre absolutely right I should sanction the class too.
Another teacher came in. I told her what happened and she asked me to consider that it's hard for supply teachers.
She is right, but an extra 5 minutes would have helped. I just find it rude.

They are year 7 and 8!

My HT asks for feedback if it's a supply we haven't had before. Definitely give feedback.

The supply teacher has probably been given the run around all day. They probably had an awful day. I would have left the room and asked the class to come and tidy it in the morning.

I’d let it go personally

Its hard for supply teachers

That is why it is - many don't set their standards high enough! They are paid enough to do a proper job and they should be expected to do it. If the kids were out of control the supply teacher should have sought assistance and reported it, not just left chaos.

Age 7 or 8 maybe complain but Y7 and 8 they should be keeping the place tidy, it wasn't the teacher who threw everything around and maybe she had planned to tidy up in the morning or had just had enough.

I have form and other classes before I have them again so it's not feasible to leave it until them. Plus I cannot prove who did/didn't make the mess.
I'm sure he or she did have a tough day, but it's still not acceptable to expect someone else to clean the mess.
I wasn't expecting them to leave it immaculately, but they didn't make an effort to tidy a single thing.

Perhaps she ran to her car sobbing 🙁

I've also had rubbish days too but I don't leave the mess for another member of staff, it's not fair.

If she ran to the car sobbing then it would be doing her a favour if it was flagged and she was not asked back.

If she wasnt coping then thats not ok, the reason for her not coping is irrelevant.

I've done lots of supply. Tell whoever organises cover and tell the classes responsible off.
That's how the good supply teachers get repeat bookings - nobody complains about us!

I've decided that I will let it go on this occasion, but report it if it happens a second time.

Thanks for all the replies !

I found the worst state rooms were ever left in was when SLT did cover.

Seemed that they were too busy and important to show respect for the room, equipment or whoever was lumbered with cleaning it up.

I'd definitely sanction both classes, though. Because if that's the state they left it in, they were inevitably being utter shits the entire time.

I’ve done supply for a good few years now. I take pride in the cleanliness of a classroom at the end of the day and absolutely stand back and look at what needs doing.

As an aside, leave work that doesn’t require equipment getting out. It won’t totally solve the problem but helps. And leave the name of children who can be trusted to tell the truth about routine - also really helps!

At least you still had your stationery in the room. My trickiest class had a supply lesson and I came back to school to find ALL my equipment thrown out of the window, the 30cm rulers and pencils had all been snapped and my classroom is 4 floors up! Ive complained about that particular supply several times and yet they are regularly in school.