Floating /spare teachers with no class?

[teacherteacherss]

As per the title does this exist? I found out today about my sons new teacher and apparently Altho she's been at the school a few years, this academic year just finishing she wasn't in charge of a class. She didn't get assigned to a year eyc.

It sent my mind into overdrive thinking why wasn't she given a class? Why was she floating?

Anyone got insight to this

Used for PPA cover, employed in that role - takes an experienced teacher. May have a specialism that worked well in this role ie Music.

Wanting to take a step back for a bit but not leave, so took on the above role.

Personal reasons, a teacher at our school stepped down to an TA role for a year following personal tragedy - showed the school rated her and wanted to keep her.

Was she full time? How big is the school? If she's been doing PPA cover she would not have had a class. Doesn't mean anything though. I know if some great part time ppa teachers - they do it as it fits in with their family life

She may have been doing PPA cover across the school. I did that for a few years while my kids were small but I've gone back to full time class based now.

Not uncommon. The two form primary I worked at had a floating teacher for each phase. They covered release time. Got to know children well and meant there was a familiar experienced face that could be used instead of supply when needed.

I've been doing this, the last two years. It's because my husband was terminally ill and subsequently, died. Before he died, it was so I could take time off without disrupting a class, and after because I returned mid way through the year.

I'm a good teacher, I taught all subjects throughout the time to different classes and I taught my specialist subject (which is one lots of staff don't feel confident in) which meant the kids got an extra good deal on that front and I've taught right throughout the school which means I've got excellent insight into where they've come from and where they're going.

What does ppa mean?

A friend who's a teacher said it could well be she has young kids so this suited her

From asking around it seems she's been at the school approx 5 years

@Corianderparsley so sorry for your loss x

It’s a thing at my children’s school and the role seems to rotate around the staff. This year the floating teacher previously taught year 2 and last years floating teacher now has Reception.

It is protected time for planning preparation and assessment. It doesn't happen in secondary. Primary teachers historically.hsve not had this. Think.it supposed to.be a minimum.of 10 percent of your teachin.load. pitiful.amount of time

I just hope she's still a fab teacher and they her being on ppa isn't a negative thing

This sounds just like me. I came back from maternity in January and have been doing intervention groups since (as well as covering staff absences here and there). I'm doing part in-class and part groups again in September. I really enjoy the role!

If a teacher is full-time they usually have an afternoon to do their PPA time (planning etc) and be out of class. Obviously class can’t be left without an adult, sometimes covered by TA (in theory HLTA but not always). May have to cover for other teachers being off eg if SENDCO also has classroom responsibility, senior leader in meetings

@teacherteacherss thank you.

Lots of teachers openly state they would hate the role of PPA (preparation, planning, assessment time which every teacher is entitled to) cover.

Switching from nursery in the morning to Y6 in the afternoon (yes, that has been on my timetable before) is not an easy gig, neither is picking up random classes where you're not quite sure of the routine, the way certain teachers work, how different white boards work, where the spare pencils are etc etc. I'd be quite reassured that the new teacher knows what they are doing.

Her being on PPA is not a reflection on her teaching. Lots of PPA teachers are excellent, experienced teachers. It's very difficult to go into a range of classes and get to know the pupils and match your teaching to the age/ stage. They are probably great. In any year you run the risk that you don't feel you have a great teacher but them teaching PPA in the past shouldn't be a problem at all.

Just to mention, in lots of schools recruitment is so difficult that TAs or unqualified teachers are being used for more and more time. I would be pleased that your child has a qualified, experienced teacher who knows the school

In the unlikely.eveny this happens at our school, it should rotational. Would ause resentment otherwise unless it was extenuating circumstances.

Maybe teacher didn’t want class responsibility or worked PT or wanted to teach speciality eg French

Secondary do get it - but not such an impact on students as I just have non contact time dotted through my timetable in hour slots not a half day as is normal at Primary.

I honestly would not be worried about this in the slightest.

PPA is not the easiest role . PPA teachers have to plan for the 10% time they are covering in class . They feed into assessments, will lead subjects ( usually those, class teachers feel less confident about ) ... some will cover leadership time as well which means a class is being covered 20% of the time , which is effectively a job share . This process will be repeated across more than one class . It requires organisation , excellent subject knowledge across the year groups and good communication between the various teachers they cover .

It's not a role to be scoffed at ... it requires a very well experienced and knowledgeable teacher .

You should appreciate the fact that your child is in a school that is lucky enough to still be able to afford a non-class based teacher.
When PPA was first introduced, all classes used to be covered by a qualified teacher. Many Primary schools had a SENCo and or Deputy that weren't class based - or maybe the 2 of them shared a class. Staff absences were also often covered by a teacher from within the school.
Since austerity, it has become the norm for this to no longer be the case, unfortunately. TAs, and HLTAs are being taken advantage of and doing a teacher's work for a lot less pay.

I won't repeat all the reasons that people choose to be the PPA cover, but some people do like it. It takes a certain skillset and is definitely not given to someone because they are somehow 'lesser' than other teachers.

Thank u all for reassuring me

When I said secondary do not get it, I meant that I wasn't aware of 'floating' staff in secondaries

At my DCs primary school the teacher with the PPA role does all the PE lessons.

How unpleasant that you’re judging her before she even starts teaching your child. Let’s hope she’s not having similar conversations about what a nightmare your child might be, or similar.

@Corianderparsley , sorry for your loss 💐I'm glad you were supported at work.
OP I'm not sure what your concern is?
Do you think someone is underemployed?

I also had this role, as a very experienced teacher. I joined the school part time initially, and taught six classes for half a day each, while their teachers had their PPA time..I was a music specialist so several of them asked if I could cover the music side of the curriculum got part of the time. It's a rule that requires flexibility, excellent planning, and good class control.

When I went full time, I had my own class, but like a pp, I was offered the role again when my DH had advanced cancer, and again when I returned after he died. It meant that the school could respond flexibly to my needs without disadvantaging the children.