Why don't substitute teachers set homework?

[Tzibeleh]

Dd's maths teacher has been off since before half-term. Most maths homework tends to be peer-assessed anyway (ie swap books and mark each other's work), so why doesn't the sub set any? Not even just "finish today's page in the workbook".

It depends on how long the supply teacher has been recruited for Assuming that the school don't know when the absent teacher will be back, they maybe taking it a week at a time and therefore the supply is simply coming in, delivering cover work and going home again.

However, I think it's worth investigating and speaking to Head of Maths to ask why there is no homework.

Is it a random series of supply teachers with work being planned for them by other teachers because they don't know when the teacher is returning? If so, then setting and marking work isn't in their contract. If they have hired a long-term supply and know the teacher isn't expected back for a while, then the supply should be following the homework timetable

I would speak to the school. Is this going to continue being a long term absence? If so are they setting up appropriate cover? Then ask for homework to be set.
If a teacher is employed only on a daily or weekly basis, then homework won't be set. However if it is a month or more, then you can expect homework. If the teacher is going to continue to be off, then they should be getting something more permanent set in place to cover.

They are not paid to plan lessons, mark books or homework. Rates of pay reflect this compared to full time staff. Maths teachers are like gold dust. Hard to find and recruit.

But they don't have to plan the lessons or mark the homework. It's all there in the textbook (an excellent textbook, BTW, which the regular teacher uses as a jumping-off point and reinforcement exercise). If the sub is simply working through the book, and the children mark each others' work, then there is no planning or marking. I understand that the sub can't do the extra, more detailed work that the regular teacher does.

Regular teacher returned the day I started this thread, so we'll see what happens with homework. He hasn't set any yet this week.

If all the teacher does is work through the textbook, then I don't think much of the normal standard of teaching.

No, the regular teacher does not just work through the textbook. He uses it, but not exclusively.

I would not expect a substitute - especially a short-term one - to be introducing new concepts. I would expect a sub to depend on the textbook and would not object to them working through it.