What do you want from a supply teacher?

[salviapages]

Either as someone subbing for your class while you're away, or as someone working in a 2/3/4 form school when a supply covers for say the other class in your year group next door to you.

What do you want to see them do? What do you really not want them to do?

I want you to listen to my TA, because she does know the children, the routines and what we did yesterday, and to treat her with respect as a professional, not something the cat's dragged in. Equally, I want you to teach the class and not expect the TA to do both your job and her own.

People may well say that they want you to mark. Honestly, I'm not fussed. I'd rather you tidied up so I can find things in the morning. If you do mark, please flick back to the work already in their book to see if what the child has done today is of a similar standard to what they usually produce.

Keep the classroom tidy is my main one. The despair of coming back to a topsy turvy room is grim.

Do not move anything, and put resources back if you used them.

I’d really prefer you worked on paper, because I’ve very rarely encountered a supply who will follow jotter guidelines and work then usually looks atrocious.

Mark with your name and the date.

As a Supply Teacher I have found the following are considered absolutely essential....

1. Telepathy. Just because it is your first day in the school and nobody has told you the daily routines do not forget that your class has its one and only library session at 2.30 on a Tuesday every week. And home testing kits are given out in tutor time on Thursday. And what do you mean you had no idea that all lessons on 11th November were a Remembrance Day Art session.

2). Remember, whatever your qualifications and previous experience you are not a teacher. Or, in some schools, even on long term placements. ". You were teaching! Again!!!! I saw you. How many time do I have to tell you! No teaching"

3). You should be able to take an accurate register even if you haven't got a computer login.

4). Similarly, "No , only permanent staff can have a login. Bring your own laptop in. Please email us all your own lesson resources. We can't give you access to ours."

5. Teleportation. You should arrive an hour before lessons start. Even if you got the the phonecall at 8.15 and you live an hour's drive away....

6. Your lessons for the next 2 weeks should be thoroughly prepared and entail the students doing a lot of work. Which will then be binned in front of you when you're introduced to your replacement...

7). Your first day here? That explains why you are trying to drive your car in. No we have no idea where the nearest Pay and Display carpark is either. We don't care where you park, we have no advice on which streets may be available to park in but 5 minutes should be ample time to search for a space and get back here to sign in.

No, most schools are not like this but a surprising number are.

Realistic expectations

1. Classroom Management. Don't expect back up. Or support for extreme behaviour.

2). A good supply of spare pens. You will get most back. Anything else will be wrecked.

3. Ideas for what to do when the Computer Room you have been told to take your class to was booked by someone else. Or when there is just no work set.

4. Support staff are friendly and helpful and grossly underpaid. Be nice . Even if it's your unlucky day and you have the exceptional 1 in a million who is out to sabotage you. Sadly, it does occasionally happen. Breathe. They too are underpaid and unappreciated. If you need something Support Staff are your best and usually only hope.

5). Do tidy the room as best you can. Cleaners are underpaid too.

@Dendron123

I'm just massively grateful if they get through maths and writing, and be honest if the kids haven't got it/it needs a repeat.

I don't really mind that much - make my class happy. I'm lucky to teach in a nice primary where there's not too much pressure so I can leave filler tasks for supply. It's nice when you come back though and the children tell you about their lovely day. If marking, it would be nice to mark the page with Supply. Ticks are fine; if you leave feedback I have to try to get the children to respond to it.

Be really weird and have a totally bizarre approach to behaviour management and sit on your phone ignoring the kids. It means when I come back they're really relieved and like omg Miss thank god you're back we had the WEIRDEST supply teacher EVER

I enjoy this very much.

I was supply myself for a while and schools just seemed really grateful that you actually had the class under vague control and were actually engaged in helping them understand and complete the work set. There are some odd balls on the circuit. You know you're doing a good job if schools beg you to take a permanent job with them after seeing you more than once. My advice is to say no though unless they can offer you exactly what you are looking for.

I teach secondary so maybe a bit different. As assistant HoF, I really do think expectations work both ways.

If there is a supply teacher in my faculty, I always ensure I take the time to run through the day with them. Very occasionally, it's not possible to do that before P1 so on those days, I pop my head round the door in P1 and just check all is ok. Then catch them asap.

I make sure they know where to get support should they need it, where the technicians are if they need paper etc. If they are not a regular visitor to us, where the toilets are and where they can get a drink.

Check in and respond to any issues they may have.

In return, I ask that they actively support the pupils with their work, go through any answers so pupils can self assess (answers included with work!) and leave the classroom neat and tidy.

Mostly, if we need cover, it's someone who has been to our school before. We have two supply staff who work across school regularly. I'd like to think they feel supported and welcome.

I'm at a 4-form-entry primary and we've only got in-house supply. It's either our cover teacher, my TA or one of my colleagues covering the lesson.
Everyone survives, no major injuries and no kids lost during the day is all I'm fussed about. Otherwise, I don't really care what they do when I'm out for the lesson/day. Take them to the woods, have extra play, spend the time playing GoNoodle.... whatever.
Cover doesn't mark work. I don't need and don't expect them to. I expect excellent behaviour from my class for cover and they are usually a delight. So no issues there. Just have fun. I'll be back to annoy them soon enough.
I appreciate that our very laissez-faire approach to cover lessons isn't usual, though. 😀