Can classroom teachers be put on isolation rota?!

[redsquirrel07]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to get some advice/opinions on a new rota that has been devised in my school.

Just for some context - I am in my 5th year of teaching and have been working at my current secondary school since September. I am a regular classroom teacher with no other responsibilities. I mostly teach A-Level aside from a few lessons of KS3 humanities per fortnight.

I have been put on the rota as of this week to supervise isolation for one hour each week - during those times I was previously supervising a pastoral space students can use for 5-10 minutes during a lesson if they are dysregulated (as you can imagine, this space was regularly misused, but generally I got on okay once I got used to it!).

My main concern is that I am not an appropriate person for the role given my lack of seniority, lack of knowledge of the students, and lack of time spent at the school.

In no school I have worked in previously have classroom teachers (unless in cover emergencies) been expected to supervise isolation - it has always been the senior, middle leaders, or pastoral team.

I just wanted thoughts/opinions/experiences from you all please? Perhaps this is normal in other schools and I just haven't experienced it yet. I recognise it is only an hour a week, but I am still concerned that this is not a suitable activity for me to be undertaking.

Thank you in advance! 😊

PS I have contacted my union as the guidance does suggest that classroom teachers should not be regularly asked to supervise isolation.

Should be SLT / Year Heads / HODs only.

That's my thinking too! Thanks x

I’m a secondary HT -

In my current school - isolation is operated by a dedicated pastoral team and supported by TAs and HoDs occasionally.

Regular teaching staff do not oversee this. They have a heavy workload as it is!

Not at my current school but I've done it previously. Haven't ever seen anything official about classroom teachers not doing it- union guidance is just that unfortunately and potentially not enforceable.

Thank you, it's the same in my previous schools and that feels the most suitable way for it to be managed!

No there's no official line on it it seems, we will see how today goes, no one has explained how it works or my responsibilities whilst I'm in there, obviously it's generally fairly self-explanatory but there might be some nuances or paperwork that no one has told me about.
There is another classroom teacher who has been scheduled to be in there too so I'll find out their thoughts as well.

If you're light on your timetable then you can be asked to do it.

I don't see it as a big ask as you may not have any kids in there.

Understand the reason you have to do it - it's because there is nobody else and someone has to do it.

It's a session you cant plan for and just need to sit there. If people misbehave, follow it up like a normal lesson. Presumably there's a procedure if kids fail isolation?

There are kids in there most days, today there were 6 (the room is no bigger than a box bedroom!).
I do agree that in the larger picture it's not a big deal, but I really just wanted to get an idea of other people's experiences as I was surprised to have been put on the rota, and feel I'd be more suitably used elsewhere such as for lesson cover or intervention etc.
If they fail isolation they get put back in there the next day, that's as far as the system seems to go. There are some serial offenders who seem to spend most of their time in there!
Thank you for your logical and measured response - I know there are worse experiences to have at school!

Are they counting it as part of your directed hours? If so, I would think you could be expected to do this. You're hardly a new teacher. If not, then no they can't direct you.

Yes it's been put on my timetable so yes they can ask/expect me to do it, which I will 🙂

At least it's an hour with no planning and marking!

I've been made to do it in the past... I tended to manage to get loads of work done with the kids in the room - but depends on how annoying they are. Sometimes its a chance to get to know them a bit more - might not be the point of the room - but often getting to know them better can be the key to everything...

I'm a 'teacher of' and do 30 minutes once a week so that the main member of staff can take a lunch break. I've got a radio if I need assistance, so it's not me that needs to deal with any serious behaviour - I've had to use it once. I take work, but rarely do anything because I'm having to encourage them to stay in booths, support with work, etc. I actually quite enjoy it.

This is pretty standard in my school tbh, if you're underload you can be put on supervision. It's not that bad really, I tend to take some work to do but generally end up chatting with the kids about what's going on with them (they're usually very vocal about what's happened!)

Thank you for your feedback both 😊 my initial unhappiness has subsided and I'm sure it'll be fine, thank you! X