Below are a list of 'Frequently Asked Questions' from Supply Teachers. If you require further information, please contact the relevant Supply Team for your location:
How do you ensure that your supply teachers have a full and up to date Disclosure? What about breaks in service and additional information?
We require that all supply teachers who register with an LA Supply Pool hold a current enhanced disclosure valid for three years from the date of clearance. We either request an original and copy this for our records or the teacher must apply for an Enhanced Disclosure from the CRB through the Supply Team, in which case the teacher receives an original, as does the relevant LA, who then write to us confirming clearance. Teachers in certain LAs are also checked against List 99.
Where do I get information about CRB checks
Visit http://www.crb.org.uk/. Here you will find information on services, your rights, and information about the check.
What is a CRB and how long is it valid for?
A CRB is the common term used to refer to a background check performed by the Criminal Records Bureau. A clear ‘enhanced disclosure’ from the CRB is an essential pre-requisite for any person who wishes to work with children or vulnerable adults, regardless of their job-role.
Enhanced disclosure takes between 4-8 weeks from initial application. You cannot work in the presence of children or vulnerable adults until this is returned. Under the present DCSF guidelines, a CRB check is valid for three years unless you have a break in service of over three months, in which case a new disclosure will be required. Visit http://www.crb.org.uk/ for information on services, your rights and details of the check. Certain LA's schools may only accept a valid CRB issued within the past 12 months.
As a supply teacher, what is expected of me at a placement?
You will be expected to:
- On your first visit to a school, you are required to produce your CRB
- Arrive in good time for your placement with time to prepare
- Familiarise yourself with the school and key members of staff
- If covering for a form tutor, take the morning register
- Provide break-time supervision if required
- Complete any necessary marking for the class
- Leave the classroom in a tidy state
- Provide a brief commentary on the day – the work covered, pupil effort, any problems etc. for the returning teacher.
For more details, please refer to the Supply Teachers Code of Practice.
Do schools usually set work for supply teachers?
Most of the time this is the case but not always. Most teachers plan well in advance and if the need for supply has been anticipated it is normal for a school to provide a visiting teacher with a plan for the day. If a supply teacher has to be called in at short notice it is unlikely that a specific lesson will have been prepared for them in advance, though in this instance it should still be easy to establish the curriculum area that the class is currently studying from the absent teacher's plans. Try and give yourself as much time to prepare as possible. There are a large number of resources and downloadable lesson plans available on TeacherNet in case of emergencies: www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/resourcematerials/resources/
I am an Overseas Trained Teacher. Can I undertake supply work?
Overseas trained teachers (OTTs) from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are able to teach in England for up to four years without the need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), provided that your visa / work permit allows you to work in the UK. As such you are able to undertake supply work and this is, in fact, a recommended means for OTTs to gain experience of the UK education system and British schools prior to gaining QTS. To find out about working in an Eteach managed supply pool click here.
We are a school within an LA with an Eteach-managed supply pool - how do we find out if a particular supply teacher is registered with you and cleared for working at our school?
The best thing to do is to contact the team direct. Look up the telephone number here
As a supply teacher, how much will I be paid and by whom?
Supply teachers working through an Eteach-managed LA Supply Pool will be paid according to their position on the Main Pay Scale. Your daily rate of pay is calculated on the basis of your annual salary entitlement according to the pay scale, divided by the maximum number of working days for a teacher – 195 per annum. Unlike supply teachers working for an agency, you will be paid by the Local Authority for your area. To view a comprehensive outline of teachers’ pay please visit:
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/paysite/part4.cfm