More expense for schools as teachers stopped from covering for absent colleagues
SCHOOLS in Derby are bracing themselves for the cost of new rules on stand-in staff and sickness cover.
Soon, teachers will be unable to fill in for absent colleagues as they did – and Derby heads said they were concerned the new system, coming in September, would be a drain on budgets, because they would have to employ extra supply staff.
Traditionally, teachers stood in for absent colleagues, covering lessons during their own free periods otherwise used for marking and lesson plans.
Schools estimate that teachers in Derby cover colleagues' lessons about once a week – a possible 39 sessions a year.
But new rules set down by the National Workforce Monitoring Group say that teachers should only stand in for absent colleagues "rarely".
Heads are worried that additional cover supervisors and supply teachers will now have to be brought in.
Steve Monks, head at Sinfin Community School, almost £400,000 in debt, said: "I do not believe that the Government has either adequately costed or funded this initiative and suspect that many schools will struggle financially when they are required to implement it from this September."
The new guidance does not state the number of hours teachers should cover in the future for absent colleagues – but head teachers believe "rarely" suggests a great reduction in current levels.
Dr Roger Shipton, head at Merrill College, said: "There is no doubt that the 'rarely cover' agenda is going to increase financial pressures on schools.
"It will also almost certainly mean that head teachers will not be able to support as many off-site activities for students as before.
"Several years ago, we invested in staffing with the appointment of several learning supervisors.
"But, like all schools, we will be stretched."
At Lees Brook Community Sports College, in Chaddesden, head Phil Dover said that from September, his teachers would "almost never" have to give up free time to cover.
He said: "We already employ two cover supervisors and are now in the process of recruiting another two. We have paid for this by using reductions in staffing costs, including the retirement of four teachers, who have been replaced by younger teachers on lower salaries. We have also reduced the number of deputy heads."
Primary schools have fewer staff to be able to make the necessary changes, and smaller budgets.
Workshops run by Derby City Council have been helping heads find ways forward.
Paul Briggs, council professional development officer, said: "We have been encouraging head teachers to remodel their staff. But if an emergency situation arises – if, for example, a teacher suffered a heart attack in class – then a teacher would be expected to step in if there was no-one else."
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