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Original poster

Question for Supply Teachers....

19 replies

BaconAndAvocado · 13/02/2013 19:17

I currently work at a Primary school 2 days a week on a supply basis.

There is an INSET day coming up in April and it falls on one of my days.

I haven't been asked to come to it and don't think I would be paid if I did.

I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
barebranches · 13/02/2013 19:27

ask them?

storynanny · 13/02/2013 19:37

They will probably let you know that they will not require you and therefore you won't get paid. They may ask if you could change your day that week, just ask them in advance, they might not have even considered that it affects you. If it is an inset that is of interest to you as career development you might want to go anyway and they might even offer to pay you for going, but unlikely.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 13/02/2013 20:04

storynanny , I think you're right about them not even considering me (not in a negative way!)

I didn't want to ask them in case it was a blanket "Yes you're expected to come to all INSET days" but then not get paid. That could possibly create an uncomfortable situation Hmm

I think my dilemma is that I don't want to appear lazy but I don't want to be unpaid, not being a permanent member of staff.

OP posts:
storynanny · 13/02/2013 22:30

If you are expected to do it unpaid I think you would be justified in saying that's not possible ( especially if you will incur child care expenses)or saying that you have the chance to take a paid days supply in another school on that day.
It's not usual for supply teachers to work for no pay in my experience.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 13/02/2013 22:34

That's what I thought storynanny , just needed to see it in black and white. Thanks Smile

OP posts:
Bonbonchance · 14/02/2013 19:28

I know where I am (Scotland) it would depend on your contract, are you employed for the year in this school at 2 days a week? If you are then you'd do 0.4 (ie 2 days a week worth)of all the inservice days for the year.

BackforGood · 14/02/2013 19:36

IME, if you are doing supply (as opposed to a PT contract), then they would be very unlikely to want to pay you if they don't need you to teach. I know some schools that wouldn't mind you going in (in your own time - ie, unpaid) if it were something that you were interested in / would be good for your prof. development. After all, you are being trained for free, and it might help you with future job applications, but I wouldn't expect them to pay you, and, as such, you wouldn't have to go in.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 15/02/2013 11:20

bonbon I work 2 days a week but not on a contract basis, purely on a supply basis. So if there's a school trip or something off curriculum on one of those days, then I'm told I'm not required.

OP posts:
MiaowTheCat · 15/02/2013 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 15/02/2013 19:56

Tee hee at Death by Powerpointy!!!

OP posts:
GW297 · 19/02/2013 10:25

They will probably say you are welcome to attend for your own prof dev (unpaid!)

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 19/02/2013 18:55

Exactly, GW but then I don't feel I should be there unpaid!

OP posts:
GW297 · 19/02/2013 19:27

I get invited to insets as a supply teacher unpaid too, but generally choose to go out for coffee or lunch instead funnily enough!

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 19/02/2013 22:10

Don't blame you Smile

OP posts:
Schmedz · 19/02/2013 23:02

If it is an in-house INSED with lots of department meetings or planning time or (worst of all) H&S training it is probably not worth going to anyway, but sometimes a course leader is actually fantastic in their field and to go independently to one of their sessions would actually cost a fortune. Might be worth finding out the day's program and hope that they will let you attend if it is professionally valuable to you - free, quality training is hard to come by.
But if you are giving up a day's pay elsewhere then it isn't free at all!

storynanny · 20/02/2013 09:53

Just wanted to add that in the past on my first stint of supply back in the 80's when my children needed child care if I worked, I did go to a few inset days for no pay and therefore lost money due to the child care cost. This was only when the inset days were about radical change and new government initiatives eg national curriculum introduction for the first time. If I hadn't gone to these inset days I would have been at a distinct disadvantage. Like someone just said, it's free cpd, although will cost you in child care.
I certainly don't feel the need to go now when the inset is about say, updating policies, assessment. Maybe if my first aid needed updating or I needed to be aware of changes in child protection for example I would go, but would hope the school could afford to pay me! Especially as someone said it would mean turning down a days pay at another school.

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 20/02/2013 21:15

I think the INSET day is about different ways that children learn. I don't know if its linked to a particular I initiative or not. I'm too frightened to ask too much in case it's taken for granted that I will attend, unpaid, and if I don't I'll be perceived to be unwilling/lazy......having a paranoid/sensitive moment Blush

OP posts:
GW297 · 20/02/2013 23:01

You could say you have been offered a paid day of supply elsewhere. If you like the school though and would like to be considered favourably for any opportunities that may arise there in the future, I would be tempted to attend. It's also a good chance to get to know the staff better (and them you!)

Original poster
BaconAndAvocado · 23/02/2013 14:26

I have quite a long history with the school, having worked there on a both permanent and then supply basis.

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