Planning on Mat leave?

[goatscheesepie]

I've just recieved an email from my maternity cover asking if I would like to plan my lessons for next term.

The planning is due in 2 weeks. I have a KIT day after it is due in. (If I was allowed I would use the KIT day to do some planning with the mat cover)

Where do I stand on this? I haven't had this class before and would assume any planning should already be in place based on assessment etc.

The mat cover has become a bit difficult as he wished to gain a job at the end of the cover but since I'm coming back to my job (as was always the plan) he is refusing to do certain things. And hasn't completed other things either (It's SEN school, he hasn't done any EHCP's, case studies and walked out of parents evening early, leaving parents still waiting.)

I am due back to work just before we brake up for christmas (I did this purposefully as I expect to have to do some work during the holidays to be prepared for the new term and would like to be paid for it.) I don't wan't to come back to a mess but I don't want to start that cylce of over working again either.

Any help is greatly appricated!

Could you go back to work a bit earlier or would that breach any contract for the mat cover? Speak to your HoD at least and see what is normal practice.

I can't go back earlier as child care would be an issue. To be honest, I am already going back earlier than intended (should be March) as they kept asking me to return sooner. I feel like they are using up all my goodwill.

We don't have HOD's but I can email the deputy head about it. I should think the mat cover has said they won't do it and SLT are going along with it expecting me to pick up the pieces.

If planning usually takes place in the previous term then it would be down to the cover to plan ahead whilst he's in that position. I can see why he would lack motivation to do so though so I'd place the ball in management's court.

Are you on mat leave now? If so I'm pretty sure you do not have to plan the cover for supply or do any work at all as you are not being paid!! I'm on mat leave also and left some planned lessons before I went off to keep my groups going for a few weeks and then it was up to supply or HOD. Technically supply don't have to plan lessons, but if you are on long term supply it is expected. Certainly don't use your KIT days planning lessons for someone else! Those days are there for you to get back into work and plan your own lessons. I suggest call your union and get their advice, then kindly explain to school that you do not have time whilst on mat leave to plan someone else's lessons and you plan to use your KIT days planning your own lessons in preparation for your return. How rude! I hate how supply staff expect everyone else to do their work for them!! Especially when they get paid more than contracted staff. I'm be done supply and I planned and marked my own lessons, the school couldn't believe it but it actually makes teaching a lot easier if you know what you are teaching rather than relying on someone else's rushed plans....after all what teacher has time to plan other peoples lessons? That supply teacher needs a stern talking too!

I think they are taking the Michael. I would reply- lovely idea but as I’m on maternity leave that isn’t possible. Do send me a copy when you’re done so I can be up to speed. I appreciate what you will be doing in the next month to ensure a smooth handover for the children.

So just to clarify, planning is due on the 30th Nov. I'm in for a KIT day on the 3rd Dec. I start back on the 17th Dec. The planning is for Jan. Am I being unreasonable to expect them to have this done?
Thanks for the replies. I will give the union a ring.

No, you are not obliged to do anything on mat leave. You could ask to use your KIT day to do the planning.

Childrenofthesun

I think I will. Then at least I will know what they are doing (rather than some half hearted effort my mat cover would have left me with.)

Thanks for all the help. Really didn'twant to be stressing about work on my last few days with my baby!

What do you mean by 'planning is due in two weeks'? I find it reprehensible that any teacher is being asked to plan what they won't be teaching as they will no longer be employed (as is the case for the maternity cover as they won't be there next term). I left a teaching job at Christmas. Had they asked me to leave more than what I had done in previous years, I would have had my union on it straight away.

As to not complete EHCPs and the like, that IS their JOB?!?!

kate
All the planning is due on the 3rd of Dec. New head wants us to hand in plans termly. We've all had to rewrite everything for the past year.
I understand your point which is why I'm asking but I also think it's unfair of them to ask me to plan when I'm still on mat leave.
I'm going to do what a previous poster suggested and ask to use my kit days to do it.
I would like to know what the mat cover expects to be doing in lieu of not planning when everyone else is.

@kate. Yes it is their job (it's a SEN school in a primary setting. He's also their tutor) he's been with them the best part of a year. Guidance would have been given if he was unsure but he should know that group that he spends 6hours a day with.

If I were you, I'd be calling my union. This sounds like a mess. What sort of plans are they expecting? Scheme of learning or short term plans? Of course you shouldn't be doing this while you're on leave!!!

And he should be hauled over the coals for the aspects of his job that he isn't doing!!!

BTW - I am not trying to have a go at you, because you are totally blameless. The school have handled this very very badly...

Ah, I thought it might be useful for you to do the planning as you'll be using it and I hate working off someone else's plans. But if this is for a group of pupils with specific needs that he is familiar with and you aren't, then he should do it if that is the standard practice in your school.

Thanks kate I should imagine it's a scheme of work. Just after I left the head threw out all our planning in favour of a new scheme of work. I can't be sure though as it changed after I left.
He would have written the one after I left, the summer term one and the autumn term one. The head is expecting "new" each year so no hope of rejigging what he wrote for the spring term.
It makes my head hurt trying to figure all this out.