I’m long term supply. Do I need to complete e learning modules.

[whydoineedanickname]

Hi, I’ve started long term supply in a school. I’m being paid to scale and otherwise treated as a member of staff but I don’t have a contract with the school which I’m fine with. On the last day of the half term I’ve been sent an email asking me to complete 11 e-learning modules in health and safety within the next month. Does anyone know if I’m within my rights to not complete these as I’m not officially employed by the academy?

You do work there though! People going onto the work sites of others need to have health and safety information and training commensurate with their role even if you are not a direct employee, but contractor. You need to know how to look after the students you are teaching etc, unless you are constantly supervised - it sits alongside safeguarding in terms of mandatory normally.

The question being should you be given time in school to complete these? Possibly yes, as you are not being paid on a Saturday, Sundays, holidays or evenings. You are not salaried and are therefore not obliged to work out of school hours. If you are happy in the role, I would just do them and tick the box.

I'd reply playing dumb. Certainly, so do you have date in mind to provide cover for me to do this? Or shall I just put the extra hours on a time sheet?
You absolutely do not have to do this. I hope your colleagues are being given directed time to do this also.

I think this is a great response!