Cover classes in independent sector?

[fedupofextras]

I work in an independent school in Scotland. I am contracted to teach 0.7 and I am at maximum (17 periods at 55mins). I have had 6 cover classes since the beginning of term (6 weeks). Three of which were when my classes were away so fine but three were on top of my maximum. Quite often these have been last minute, the night before or the morning of.

I have just been given another one for tomorrow which has completely messed up my day as it’s a fairly boisterous class and was my free period when I was going to plan my lessons. I’m completely fed up with it, especially the last-minute nature of it. I don’t get paid for them.

I was just wondering what people’s thoughts were on this. Thanks.

Completely standard in the independent sector IME. They would sooner work their staff into the ground than actually pay for supply.

How depressing. My school has always been okish but it’s part of the reason I’m part time as I couldn’t handle the workload full time. It’s now starting to feel a bit overwhelming with these last minute covers coming in.

That would be standard in my private school I'm afraid. You could email the person who organises the cover and ask only to be given 0.7 of the cover lessons that a full time person is. I know it's a pain - you can't use them to plan or catch up from the day before as you never know when they'll be whipped away from you!

Not OK for part time, full time yes we can be expected to be pulled for cover, I teach 20 out of 28 lessons 2 are protected, but can be put on cover for the others.

But as a part time member of staff you are not paid for cover, but the actual lessons you teach. You need to check your contract carefully, does it say 0.7, or does to specify the hours? 0.7 could be argued (not fairly) that you can be used for cover so long as it is 0.7 of a full time teacher. But I suspect you are paid per lesson in which case nope, no cover for you!

Yes standard in my school too. I lost all my frees last week as so many teachers were off.

Oh and covering their duties at breaks and lunch times!