Guidelines for Teachers

We very much appreciate your efforts in following the guidelines; we accept that many of the points raised below will be second nature to you but, in the search to provide the best possible service, it doesn't do any harm to revisit these basic principles

Please ensure that you:

• NEVER	have any physical contact with a pupil.
• NEVER	verbally abuse or insult pupils.
• NEVER	say anything that could be interpreted as racist.
• ALWAYS	arrive on time.
• ALWAYS	dress appropriately.
• ALWAYS	conduct yourself professionally.
• ALWAYS	inform us immediately if anything untoward happens on your assignment.

In response to the 'Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education' document, it is important you understand the following procedures:

• When you attend a school for the first time, Focus Education will provide the school with the following information relating to you, by fax or e-mail:
  • Full name and photograph
  • DfE Teacher Number and date of QTS
  • CRB Disclosure Number and Issue Date
  • Confirmation of any Police Records of Conviction, Reprimands and Final Warnings, including date of offence, and what offence was committed
  • Date of Children’s Barred List and DfE Teacher Report
  • Confirmation of proofs of identity and certificates copied, along with date copied
  • Paragraph about your qualifications, experience and references.
• When attending a school for the first time you will need to produce the following items upon arrival:
  • Driving Licence
  • CRB Disclosure.

PUNCTUALITY &TIMEKEEPING

All schools have slightly different start and finish times, Focus Education will advise you accordingly. However, we feel, that you should always aim to arrive early when it's a school you have not worked in before, allowing plenty of time to familiarise yourself with their policies, attend morning briefing and receive information regarding the class(es) you will be teaching and the work pupils will be required to do.

It is equally important to fulfil your duties at the end of the day, ensuring that rooms in which you have taught are left clean and tidy, that any marking required is completed and ensuring pupils are seen off the premises safely.

RELIABILITY

It is essential that once a school has made a booking with us, the teacher must arrive at the school on time. If you are unable to meet an assignment for any reason please call us as soon as possible so that we can make alternative arrangements. We are contactable day or night; simply call your local office.

DISCIPLINE AND CONDUCT

If the school has a Code of Conduct or similar disciplinary procedure in place please make sure you follow it. If the school does not inform you of its disciplinary procedures when you arrive, make sure you ask the responsible member of staff to explain them to you at the start of your placement.

Remember that you are as accountable for your actions in the classroom as a full-time member of staff. The way you deal with the children in your care must reflect this; you cannot, for instance, use any form of physical contact or verbal abuse to exercise control over pupils.

APPEARANCE AND PERSONAL HYGIENE

As always the dress code in schools is smart, including ties for gentlemen.

Occasionally there will be special requirements. For instance, you may be required to take trainers for a PE lesson; if this is the case we will tell you when the placement is booked.

Personal hygiene must be taken seriously; schools expect ALL staff to present themselves in a fresh, clean and presentable manner. It is unacceptable for pupils and staff at schools to be exposed to body odour and bad breath.

TEACHING

Please make every effort to cover the work that has been set for the classes you take. Please also deliver this work in as meaningful a manner as possible, to maximise the learning that takes place under your supervision.

Please bear in mind that the school has booked a teacher; therefore this is what they expect to receive. They have not booked a child minder or classroom supervisor.

It is a good idea, especially if you are working in a Primary School, to have some suitable classroom resources with you. Whilst schools make every effort to set work when regular teachers are absent, this is not always possible. In this eventuality it is as well to be prepared; should you require access to materials (National Curriculum documents), and equipment (PC’s, printers and photocopiers), please do not hesitate to contact your local office to arrange this

Pupils are all too quick to take advantage of supply teachers, but you are not there to be abused, ignored or insulted. You have every right to be treated as well as any other member of staff, and if you are not then you should seek support from Heads of Department or Senior Staff.

EXPECTATIONS

Supply teachers are expected to:

• co-operate with staff at the school
• accept the supervision and reasonable instruction of an appropriate ‘line manager’
• observe the rules applicable at the school; if you have any concerns (for example, about pupil discipline) you should identify these rules as quickly as possible (by liaison with the ‘line manager’)
• work the normal hours of work at the school (subject to any specific contractual arrangements to the contrary)
• take reasonable steps to safeguard the health and safety of yourself, other members of staff at the school and, of course, the pupils. If you have any concerns about health and safety you should, locate the health and safety policy and ensure that you comply with its contents act in a manner that is not detrimental to the school
• keep confidential any information you acquire in your work in relation to the school or supply agency.

ROLE AND DUTIES OF A SUPPLY TEACHER

There are certain obligations that cannot and should not be placed on supply teachers. A supply teacher is likely to be expected to carry out work in the same way as any teacher. This could include break duties, seeing pupils on and off the premises and supervising classes other than the ones s/he was expecting to teach, because of the absence of another teacher. If a supply teacher is in school for only a few days, it is unlikely that s/he will be required to attend any staff meetings, parents’ evenings, or any of the other activities which form part of the directed time of teachers. If the supply teacher is at the school for a longer time s/he may be required to attend such meetings and/or activities.

ON ARRIVAL AT THE SCHOOL

You may find some of the following questions useful to ask upon arrival at the school:

• Are there any special instructions about gaining entry to the school premises?
• What are the arrangements for assembly and registration?
• Are you ‘expected’ to do extra duties, e.g. bus duty?
• If on a long-term assignment, are you ‘expected’ to attend staff training days, staff meetings and parents’ evenings? If so will you be paid for it?
• Is there somewhere where you can store your personal belongings safely and securely?
• Does the school have a lesson routine? For example, are classrooms locked at the end of a school session?
• Is there a seating plan for the classroom or are pupils able to choose their own seats?
• Do you call a register every lesson?
• Do pupils record their work in exercise books, on paper, or in some other way?
• Is there any guidance about marking, recording and assessment (if this is appropriate to the supply assignment)?
• Are any ancillary or support staff to work in the classroom while you teach? Are they in the classroom to support a specific pupil or are they to be deployed as you deem appropriate?
• Do any of the pupils have any medical condition(s) of which you should be aware? Will you be asked to administer any medication (you are not contractually obliged to give medication or supervise pupils taking it)
• Are there any statemented pupils? From whom do you get this information?
• Have you been told whether there are any children in the class who have special educational needs?
• What are the arrangements when a child is sick; for wet weather during outside activities; if there is an emergency, e.g. a fire?