Can I please ask for advice - without causing a bun fight?

[ilove]

I will start by saying I am not QTS. I haven't done a PGCE, nor do I have a "proper" degree (I'm a qualified chef).

I work for an agency as a cover supervisor, and have for the last two years. They're fsb, I do two days a week all over Yorkshire, and up until recently it has all been at secondary schools.

Recently I did a course to convert to working in primary school and I'm being sent out as a HLTA, consequently I sometimes get to school and fins that I'm teaching rather than the TA. for secondary I have a huge folder of backup work in all subjects in case there is no work set, and I'm not one who simply sits in the corner ignoring the kids, I actually deliver the work and do my damnedest to teach them. I'm intelligent and educated and if all else fails I'll go for general knowledge stuff, literacy and maths etc.

However with primary I'm a bit stuck to know where I can get the stuff I need as backup, eg yesterday I had Y3 in the morning and reception in the afternoon. Can any of you recommend any websites or anything I can gather to take with me?

PLEASE can we not argue over cover supervisors and how wrong it is that they are there - there's enough animosity towards me in the staff rooms as it is, and I didn't create the job nor the reasons for it - I simply do my best for a low daily rate, and I really do care.

Thanks

Maybe not but the OP didn't create the situation. The government(s] did and to be fair to OP, at least she sounds like she gives a shit. Dedicated to be asking for resource websites on a Friday night! I did supply in some failing schools, the Do What You Want Approach is exactly why they were put in special measures.

I want to get my primary folder sorted this weekend, while dh can print stuff at work for me on nights!!

I'd go for games rather than "work" then. Circle games, creative activities etc.

It's not an attack on you. It's more a concern about schools using this approach. It's a money-saving exercise, which takes jobs away from qualified teachers and is quite undermining. While it's lovely that you are obviously trying to do your best, this is neither fair on you, nor on the children. I don't particularly like the practice in secondary schools (and I have to admit, I never left anything for our CS that required "teaching" ...Games/PE got swapped to qualified teachers, not given to a CS), so it's quite sad to see this creeping into primary as well. Our CSs at secondary were permanent staff, though, not cover. They knew the school, the kids, the routines and expectations. At primary, our HLTA is in the same position. Any LSA/HLTA cover is longer-term (usually 3+ weeks) and takes a lot of organising.

It is becoming more and more common, yes

You should not have to take your own resources. I am a supply teacher, and only occasionally do primary, but expect the work to be provided. You should dig your heels in - you are being taken for a ride - the class teacher should provide the planning and resources, and, indeed a TA for you. If they don't, then tell the Head - and she will have to do it!

I'm primary supply and always turn up with resources. If planning is there, fine. If not, I'm not standing there like a stunned codfish whilst the children make up their own curriculum.
That's what most supply teachers do, and if the OP is being used in that role, then she's right to be sourcing materials.

Without getting into the politics of it all twinkl has lots of great stuff on it but you need to sign up to the top level to access most of it. This might be particularly useful

m.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-c-1180-supply-teacher-pack

Sparklebox is good too

Lots of schools and authorities banned sparklebox after it was discovered to be run by a paedophile who made money every time the site was used.

www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6041853
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a1745141-AIBU-to-ask-my-sons-nursery-to-stop-using-Sparklebox-resources

I know the schools in our area also disposed of the materials that they were using and found alternatives.

TES. There's plenty for all subjects and both primary and secondary.
They've got nice general games/starters/plenaries too, that can be adapted to all subjects.

How about choosing a short story for each year group ( I like Terry Jones fairy tales) and planning a day of suitable cross curricular activities around that. Then you would always have a day's work for any class???

Thanks all, I shall get a folder sorted. I hate looking incompetent with no idea what to do with them! Fortunately there has always been at least one TA there, on Thursday I had three!

Don't use Sparklebox, it's run by a twice convicted paedophile.

X post, sorry. :)

I quite like Teach It Primary. It's subscription, but you can download the PDFs for free.

I am also shocked that this goes on! Don't know why I bothered spending 4 years getting a teaching qualification. However, schools budgets are being cut every year and if TA's keep agreeing to cover teachers, schools and agencies will keep exploiting them.

Why have you not spoken to your agency about this yet? The person who said that the agency will be getting a higher daily rate for exploiting you and pocketing it is right.
I have been a CS for 8 years now (in secondary) and apart from the odd starter or extension task I have never had to set entire lessons. I'd refuse to.
I know you mean well but unless you speak up it will carry on and worsen. Which union are you in?

I'm not in a union - wasn't aware I could join one as not QTS

With the exception of some top-secret government jobs, there is a union for everyone. It doesn't have to be a teachers' union.

Of course you can. It is also really important. The largest one for educational support staff is UNISON. One of the teaching unions 'accept' CSs but I am afraid I do not know exactly which one.

If you're doing sen then work should definitely be set. That said I take a large stacker box of stuff with me as a lot of the children become engaged purely through having access to new stuff.
For SEN (and mainstream primary tbh) customisable sheets, very visually attractive and straightforward, try senteacher website.
I agree with pp who said thank you for giving a shit, QTS or not. those who give supply a bad name are the ones who don't. Or those who haven't taught in schools for years (or never could control a class so are career supply) aren't worth a carrot. The OP is clearly doing a decent job, an trying to improve. Reality is, there isn't always work set. Fact.

Jemima, Thankyou. Sometimes work is set but often not measly enough for the most capable children. I can't leave a class in the missile of a lesson to ask for more work, nor is it advisable to send children to disturb another lesson to ask! So I find it best to have a load of stuff to fall back on, rather than dingbats or similar!

I will look into unions, Thankyou for that too xxx