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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Planning whilst on sick leave

14 replies

reallyneedmoresleep · 14/03/2016 10:18

I've broken my leg and it's really sore. I've been signed off for 5 weeks as obviously would struggle to get to school and can't get around a classroom of 33 kids even if I could get there.

My head teacher is lovely and sympathetic. However, she has asked me to send in daily planning for the supply that's covering me and to update sodding Target Tracker by the end of term. I've got termly overviews of what we're teaching, but tend to do weekly plans the week before they're taught. AIBU to think I shouldn't have to still do the plans whilst off sick? Any other bloody job I'd be getting a proper rest!

Sorry, I should probably just suck it up and get on with it, but am feeling cross and a bit sorry for myself.

OP posts:

StealthPolarBear · 14/03/2016 10:21

This should be covered by your fit note surely which should detail the work you are able to do and the work you are unable to do.

mygrandchildrenrock · 14/03/2016 20:16

You shouldn't be asked for planning/work whilst you're off sick. How can you update TT when you're not in work to assess the children?
Supply teachers often won't plan, because they only get paid for contact hours but if they're full time they should be getting PPA and can do the planning then. They can also do the assessments for TT!

PotteringAlong · 14/03/2016 20:18

At my school you would be expected to send in cover work.

StealthPolarBear · 14/03/2016 20:18

I thought people got fit notes these days to say what duties they could do

Jaimx86 · 14/03/2016 20:21

I would probably plan so that id know what I'm getting back to.

Also, who would plan if you didn't? I'd feel bad for the colleagues picking up my work.

rosieliveson1 · 14/03/2016 20:24

I'd think the supply should be expected to reach off long term plans. If you're signed as not fit for work then you shouldn't be working. It's not your fault you're a teacher and therefore massively expected to work for free the majority of the time

StealthPolarBear · 14/03/2016 21:12

Are fit notes no longer issued

lougle · 14/03/2016 21:21

You're only off sick for practical reasons though, aren't you? If you had an office job you could still work with a broken leg. Surely you can manage to send planning by email?

OhYouBadBadKitten · 14/03/2016 21:27

if someone were on heavy duty painkillers it would be really hard to focus. Also pretty challenging if very sore anyway.

Original poster

reallyneedmoresleep · 14/03/2016 21:40

Yes, the tramadol / diazepam cocktail isn't the best aid to focussing!! Also, it's a bit challenging applying any kind of Afl - can only assume that the kids are all progressing and understanding as per the plans and nothing needs modifying!! Thanks for the support people.

OP posts:

RobotMenu · 14/03/2016 21:50

Hahahaha

Speak to your union. You are off sick for a reason. Concentrate on getting better. Planning for something when you don't know what's actually happening in the classroom (and how they are getting on) is ridiculous.

clam · 15/03/2016 18:52

Depends on the severity of the broken leg. I bust mine big-time 3 years ago, and had major surgery to insert pins, rods and plates, and was off-my-head on heavy-duty painkillers for at least 6 weeks. No way could I have sent in short-term plans. The medium-term ones were on the system, and the cover supply sorted out her work from them.

As I recovered, and returned to work on a phased basis, I took on much more of the admin - some from home and some in school, when I could get a lift in. School were fine with that. I couldn't drive for 3 months and there was no public transport, even supposing I could have got to a bus stop or boarded a bus on my crutches. Also, I wasn't up to managing full days and there was a H&S issue with me being in the classroom unassisted (challenging child who quite likely would have tripped me up). It's also a hilly site with many flights of steps, which I couldn't manage.

clam · 15/03/2016 18:55

Oh, and sorry - forgot to give these:

It sucks, having broken a leg. I had NO IDEA how painful and disruptive the whole thing would be. Good luck in your recovery. And do the physio!!!!!!

MrsGuyOfGisbo · 15/03/2016 20:25

Mending a broken bone is serious.
I only broke a wrist, not a leg but there is a massive amount of body resources going into the healing (I never knew that). I am not a person who is ever ill, and so did not understand why I was completely exhausted and emotionally drained - I felt like a fraud. I had never had a sick day before - we don't do 'sick' in our family...
At that time I worked for a company which would not let me on the premises with a sick note in case I fell down the stairs and sued them ( I wouldn't have!) and so I rested at home and got better (tho' I was fretting I was not pulling my weight)
OP - you need to recover and if you have a sick note, you are sick.
Incommunicado.

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