Please note: Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) is now Lift Schools, this post may reference the name of the trust at time of posting.
Over the last few years, staff absences have been a significant challenge across the sector. As a result, many schools have started relying more heavily on supply agencies to plug the gaps. But this comes with consequences.
It is estimated that in 2021-22, maintained schools spent a significant £622 million on supply cover. Furthermore, using temporary, short-term supply teachers can make it harder to maintain established learning routines. It's undeniable that new supply teachers can lead to unpredictable and varied learning experiences for students.
Over the past couple of years, a new cover model has been embedded at Bexleyheath Academy. It has not only improved student learning, but has also resulted in eliminating short-term supply costs completely.
Given our size, this equated to considerable annual savings of over £200,000, which can now be dedicated in more beneficial ways to benefit our children's learning. This has allowed us to invest in additional staff and resources to support reading, including an online library and musical instrument lessons for pupils, trips, visits and experiences.
There are four key elements that underlie this streamlined operation that also promotes more consistent routines for learning:
Adopting a clear structure for providing high-quality learning materials;
Providing a familiar experience and routine for students;
Supervising students by using a consistent team;
Bringing together multiple classes.
Adopting a clear structure for providing high-quality learning materials
Teachers inform the Principal of unplanned absences no later than 7:00 am, providing enough time to make new arrangements. Taking a proactive approach to managing absences and prioritising early communication ensures our students' learning continuity.
To minimise the impact of the absence, if they are able to, the absent teacher will provide cover work for pupils to compete online, along with adjusted lesson plans and resources to support self-directed learning. Teachers will identify students who need additional support during cover lessons ahead of time so that they receive the support they require. We have systems in place to support teachers who are too unwell to provide cover work.
Bringing together multiple classes
Through a centralised cover system, Bexleyheath Academy has seen the benefits of merging classes. When needed, a Senior Leadership Team member (SLT) and the Cover Supervisor will step in to cover lessons together in one central location. This may mean that three or four classes are supervised by a team of two or three staff members.
To make this system work efficiently, technology plays a vital role. Every pupil has a personal Chromebook, so they can easily access assigned work and receive support from our specially recruited and trained cover supervisors during lessons. Google Classroom has been an ideal platform for students to continue learning when their teacher is unavailable.
Supervising students by using a consistent team
As the senior leadership team is also involved in covering lessons, behaviour systems are used consistently. Students follow the school’s behaviour policies in a safe and supportive learning environment and, as a result, work hard, given there are few distractions from the assignments they are expected to complete.
Cover supervisors follow structured procedures to ensure seamless execution of their assigned tasks, and they also monitor our students to ensure their well-being. They manage classroom materials, review teacher-submitted work, and disseminate essential information to students.
Crucially, for teachers across the school, having a simple and structured cover approach means they always know what to expect when a colleague is absent. They no longer have to worry about last-minute requests that disrupt their planning and development time. It allows them to plan time when they are not teaching more effectively, ensuring that they can focus on their own growth.
Providing a familiar experience and routine
Ensuring that our students' learning is not disrupted and maintaining their regular routine is our top priority whenever a teacher is absent. As work is assigned by students’ normal classroom teachers, individual needs can be catered for.
We can be confident that students receive high-quality lessons through a standardised approach to cover, regardless of the combined classes. This routine approach has provided students a much more positive and reliable experience. Pupils know what to expect and are familiar with the teachers overseeing their lessons, greatly improving their overall learning experiences.
The reality is that as a sector, we need to get better at exploring innovative efficiency measures - challenging the convention of how we do things - and improving learning at the same time. Especially so given the financial constraints that schools across the country are facing.
Introducing a cover model is an easy place to start. This approach at Bexleyheath Academy has shown that a cost-effective programme to sustain learning opportunities really is within reach.
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