The already tricky task of arranging cover for absent teachers is becoming increasingly challenging for school leaders this term. Coronavirus guidelines stipulate that all those who come into contact with someone who tests positive should isolate for 14 days. And with cases rising across the country, the situation looks set to get worse.
Coronavirus: Ideas to cope with teacher absence
But what do you do when a teacher is absent? We look at the different options you have open to you, and how to make the most of each choice.
Double up classes
When you have the space, combining two or more classes could be an option - particularly if you have smaller exam classes, or the use of sports halls or dinner halls where more children can be sat socially distanced.
Obviously, you must try and ensure that you aren’t putting children or staff in danger by putting too many people in one room, but there might be times when this strategy could be used safely.
How can you make it work effectively?
If you are doubling up two normal-sized classes in a secondary school, you will probably want to adopt a lecture-style delivery. This means that a projector, and maybe a microphone, will be necessary.
However, if you’re doubling up two small A-level classes in different subjects, and using one teacher to supervise both, ensure that there is ample independent work for the students to do. Realistically, it will not be possible for one teacher to instruct two different subjects in the same classroom at the same time.
Use supply teachers
Although this might seem like a risky option in terms of infection, it is actually completely fine to have a supply teacher in your school, according to the updated guidance.
How can you make it work effectively?
Do ask the supply agency (or supply teachers you have on your books) if you can always use the same supply teachers each time, to minimise transmission.
One teacher live-streamed to multiple classes
Typically, a secondary school will have year groups timetabled to be taught the same subject at the same time. So, if size and logistics allow it, you can fix your absence problem by having a teacher in the room with their class, whilst being live-streamed to another class who has a teacher absent.
The bonus of this approach is that it works if you have several members of the same department absent but don’t have a large enough single room to accomodate all of the students.
How can you make it work effectively?
The classes watching via the live stream will need to be supervised, and the teaching of the original class will need to be adapted to suit the extra viewers. It’s probably a good idea to deliver a mini lecture and then set an extended task, rather than trying to proceed as normal with a typical lesson.
One teacher moving between two neighbouring classrooms
One teacher spread across two rooms that are both supervised by a learning support assistant could be a solution for when you’re short-staffed. If this is your approach, behaviour must not be an issue, with the teacher supported by experienced colleagues for the lesson. This would be unlikely to work as a long-term strategy, as students are likely to become disengaged when a teacher is constantly moving in and out of the classroom.
How can you make it work effectively?
This is a stressful situation to put a teacher into, and it’s best to minimise the movement between the classes. It’s also wise to be mindful about aerosol transmission, as unlike in a large sports hall, social distancing will be tricky in smaller classrooms.
Supervised live lectures from the absent staff member
When a member of staff is absent due to mild symptoms or exposure to a Covid-19-positive person, then it might be an option for them to live -tream a lesson whilst the class is supervised by a cover supervisor or learning support assistant.
The benefit of this approach is that the same teacher can continue to teach their own class, which enables easy continuity for the students.
How can you make it work effectively?
Obviously, the room would need to have an adult in place to physically supervise and help the students. This might be a learning support assistant or a cover supervisor or a teacher who has slack on their timetable.
It is a good idea to break the lesson up into instruction and then activity, rather than moving between screen and book throughout. Supplementing the lesson with normal routines like vocabulary tests and quizzes will also minimise the amount of time you have to rely on the technology not dropping out over less reliable internet connections.
Teacher cover in numbers
Rising student-to-teacher ratios are contributing to the problem of cover, with an average 20.9:1 ratio in primary schools and 16.6:1 in secondary schools.
Managing these numbers is made more challenging by the fact that The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) clearly states that teachers should not be asked to cover on a regular basis.
“Teachers should be required to provide cover only rarely, and only in circumstances that are not foreseeable (this does not apply to teachers who are employed wholly or mainly for the purpose of providing such cover),” the document states.
That means that even during the current pandemic, school leaders need to be protecting their staff from overload, suggests James Bowen, director of policy at the NAHT school leaders’ union.
“Even in these hugely challenging times, it is important schools continue to protect teachers’ PPA time,” he says.
