All pupils are due to return fully back to school in September and the Department of Education (DfE) has warned shools to avoid staff members from having to quarantine during term time effectively barring teachers from taking a holiday abroad during the summer holidays.

The government has warned that there is 'no risk free travel' and quarantine restrictions can be introduced with no notice on any country. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said it was up to individuals and families to decide whether they wanted to risk going abroad in present circumstances where there are fears of a second wave heading towards Europe. 

Earlier this week the UK removed Spain from its list of safe countries to travel to after uncertainties that the country was experiencing a second wave of coronavirus. Almost 600,000 Brits are racing to get back to the UK and will have to face a 14 day quarantine when they return. 

Like many other key workers, school staff are unable to work from home and face taking unpaid leave if they get caught up in the newly-modified quarantine rules. 

The DfE added, “Where it is not possible to avoid staff having to quarantine during term time, school leaders should consider if it is possible to temporarily amend working arrangements to enable them to work from home.”

The Prime Minister said, “It’s vital that when people are coming back from abroad, if they are coming back from a place where I’m afraid there is another outbreak, they must go into quarantine. “That’s why we have taken the action that we have, and we will continue, throughout the summer, to take such action where it is necessary.”

Despite ongoing clashes between unions and the government over safety measures including whether pupils should wear masks, all schools will be reopening in September and parents must send their children back otherwise href="/news/news/send-your-children-back-to-school-in-september-or-face-a-fine">risk facing a fine

Currently employers do not have to pay while you are in self-isolation and you are not eligible for statutory sick pay. This has sparked outrage and led to growing calls from the government to provide additional support to people who have been caught out by the sudden change in rules. People who are self-employed or can't work from home will lose two weeks wages.

If Theresa May pushes through with her cuts in the Conservative manifesto, nearly one million children from poorer backgrounds and those struggling families will lose the right to a free midday meal. Instead, it will be replaced by a free school breakfast for every child up to the age of 7 which is cheaper at 10^th of the price costing around £60 million a year.

This includes more than 600,000 children who are defined as coming from ‘ordinary working families,’ the kind which Ms May has said she wants to support. Those from the poorest background will continue to be entitled to a free lunch meal. It is expected the move will cost families around £440 a year per child and it's thought to save around £650 million a year based on the current uptake. Universal free lunches for infants were introduced under the coalition government by Liberal Democrat education minister David Laws.  

However, experts have argued this could cost a lot more than the £60 million predicted, in fact, it could be more closer to £180 million and £400 million, depending on how many pupils take up the offer. Also, staffing costs haven’t been taken into account which could make this substantially higher. The party’s former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: “This just confirms the sleight of hand from the Conservatives – scrapping universal infant school lunches hits some of the most hard-pressed families the hardest. The offer of free breakfasts won't reach the children who don’t come to breakfast clubs.” “All Theresa May’s talk of helping the ‘just about managing’ will ring hollow as long as this regressive decision remains in place.”

On hearing the announcement Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson, said: "Margaret Thatcher was known as the 'milk snatcher,' Theresa May will go down as the lunch snatcher."[/caption]   But a Conservative spokesman said: “We don’t think it is right to spend precious resources on subsidising school meals for better-off parents. So instead we will give that money to headteachers, to spend on pupils’ education instead. “We will make sure all those who need it most still get free lunches – and will offer a free school breakfast to every child in every year of primary school. So the most disadvantaged children will now get two free school meals a day rather than one.”  

Celebrity chef and ongoing campaigner Jamie Oliver has called it a “disgrace.” Famously known for improving the quality of school meals, said the move "puts our future generations at huge risk" by ignoring the proven benefits of "a decent lunch." "We've already seen the Childhood Obesity Strategy ripped to shreds, now Theresa May and her government have decided to remove free school lunches from millions of primary children," said Oliver. "This is a disgrace. It's a fact that children perform better after eating a decent lunch. "This move shows a complete lack of understanding of all the data that's been shared and puts our future generations at huge risk, as well as further undermining our teachers who benefit from well-fed kids."

 Jamie Oliver campaigned tirelessly for primary schools to offer a free hot meal to every pupil.[/caption] Speaking to Channel 4 News, Oliver said the “short-sighted” move would prove a mistake in the long run because it would harm children’s health and end up costing the country. “It’s awful, it’s awful. [Theresa May] will regret it. We know the diseases that the NHS are overtly paying for now and being punished for and crucified now on cost, which is largely obesity, type 2 diabetes and diet-related diseases.” “This tracks from childhood. It doesn’t just happen [during adulthood], it tracks from childhood. As far as I see it … the school is at the front line of the fight against obesity and diet-related disease.” Oliver, 41, began campaigning for healthier food for British schoolchildren in 2005, leading to the removal of fast-food options such as the infamous 'turkey twizzler' from school canteens and a move towards fresh food cooked from scratch   General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers Kevin Courtney called scrapping free school lunches for infants "mean-spirited and wrong-headed." The policy did not make sense, or represent value for money, given the investment many schools had already made in kitchens and staffing, he said. “It is a long time for a child to go without food from the morning until 15:30, which will be the case for many families in work but struggling.” Valentine Mulholland, head of policy for the National Association of Head Teachers, said many of the group's members had reported "significant improvement in concentration and engagement" from pupils since the scheme's introduction.  

How the parties manifestos compare on Education

Conservatives

• Increase overall schools budget by £4bn by 2022 and redirect £1bn of national funding formula to help schools
• Build at least 100 new free schools a year, end ban on selective schools and ask universities and independent schools to help run state schools
• No new places in schools rated ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted
• Free breakfast to every child in every year of primary school in place of free school lunches for first three years
• The return of grammar schools is a key part of May’s new “meritocracy”, and end of free lunches scraps a key Lib Dem achievement

The return of grammar schools is a key part of May’s new “meritocracy”, and end of free lunches scraps a key Lib Dem achievement.

Labour

• Create a unified national education service for England that is free at the point of use
• Abolish university tuition fees, reintroduce maintenance grants, and restore the education maintenance allowance for 16-18 year olds from lower and middle income backgrounds
• Free school meals for all schoolchildren

Labour hopes pledge to scrap tuition fees will attract students and 18- to 24-year-olds who still strongly support the party.

Liberal Democrats

• Invest nearly £7bn extra in education, increasing school budgets and the pupil premium
• Triple early years pupil premium to £1,000 and repeal rule that all new state-funded schools must be free schools or academies, giving local authorities democratic control
• Reinstate maintenance grants for poorest university students

Like Labour, the Liberal Democrats oppose May’s plans for grammar schools. The party doesn’t return to its disastrous pledge to scrap tuition fees, hoping to attract young voters through a second EU referendum and cannabis legalisation. Source: www.theguardian.com    

Everyday schools rely on Supply Teachers to fulfil unexpected vacancies that arise. For over 10 years London Teaching Pool Ltd have built a reputable service in supplying teachers at very short notice to schools across London and the Home Counties. We rely on our supply teachers to consistently be skilled, reliable and deliver a quality service to all of the schools they are assigned to. The title ‘Supply Teacher’ often has negative perceptions associated to it, these include, having an ‘easy life’, being ‘job hoppers’, hold ‘no responsibilities’ and require ‘no planning’. We know this is completely the opposite and in fact supply teaching is far more daunting and stressful than it looks. Walking into an unknown school, into an unknown class and not knowing what planning or work or behaviour problems are ahead of you – it is not an easy way to make a living.  

Supply teachers are an essential part of the education system in the UK; without them the system would collapse. Schools prefer to recruit the same supply teacher particular those that left with a positive impression and often enough are offered much longer term and permanent contracts.  

Here are our top ten tips on being a first-class Supply Teacher

 1. Work closely with your agency

Choose a recruitment consultancy who specialise in teaching roles. It wise to stick to one agency where you can build a relationship with one consultant. Here at London Teaching Pool Ltd we provide supply for Primary, Secondary and SEN roles across London and the Home Counties. Each one of our 40 Education consultants are committed to providing a first-class service ensuring your best interests are always looked after. You will meet with your consultant and communicate regularly to ensure your needs are always met.

2. Be ready and flexible

Schools often rely on supply teachers due to a last minute absence. This means you will often be approached with little or no notice, for example, you may receive a call from your agency at 7:30am about a role that starts at 8:30am. It is important you are always ready and have a degree of flexibility to ensure you gain access to as many opportunities as possible. Let your agency know when you register that you are happy to be called with little notice. It is also important to keep your agency informed with your availability and to call them as well as them contacting you.    

3. Do NOT be late

Lateness of supply teachers is the biggest turn off for schools where timetables are extremely strict. Being late not only makes a bad impression to senior leaders and hiring managers but it will also set you off on the wrong foot with the children you are about to teach. By arriving on time or even better early, you will have the chance to familiarise yourself with the school and the other teachers. It will also mark you out as someone a school can rely on. Ensure you plan ahead before you leave and if you are going to be late inform your consultant so that the school can kept up to date.  

4. Do your research

As soon as you know what school you will be working at, find out from the agency if there is any more information they can provide you with. For example, are there any pupils with special needs that you might need to prepare for or who may require a teaching assistant present? Additionally, check out the school’s website as this can often give you a flavour of the school and tell you if it has any particular specialisms.    

5. Dress to impress

Make sure you always have a professional, clean, ironed work outfit ready the night before. It takes less than 10 seconds to make a first impression, so make sure your clothing sends the right message. Having an outfit ready means less hassle in the morning when you receive a last-minute assignment. Make sure you stand out to ensure you have the best chance of being remembered and called back for future work.     

6. Pack an Emergency Supply Kit

Sometimes the teacher you are about to fill in for may not have left any notes to follow especially if it is an unplanned cover i.e. sickness. It is essential you are prepared for such scenarios by bringing your own resources and activity ideas along with you. As a supply teacher it is always good to have something up your sleeves for the unexpected and always have a back-up plan.  

7. Before you leave

Leave a handover note for the regular class teacher as they will be in the dark about what their class has been doing. Always ensure the classroom is tidy and everything is put back as you found it when you arrived.    

8. Find out about routines

The start of the day is crucial to how well the rest of the day will go, so make sure that you are aware of the daily routine including as fire alarm drills. Children will be reassured those routines have not changed and that you are in command and will prevent you from being caught out whilst in the middle of teaching.    

9. Get to know the class

Before you start the lesson spend five minutes getting to know the children in your class. Introduce yourself and why you are there and go around the class asking all children to say their name and something about them i.e. their hobbies / favourite toy.    

10. Gratitude and feedback

It is courteous to thank the head teacher on your last day and let them know how you got on. As long as you have performed to your best this will greatly increase your chances of being asked back. It is also important to speak to your consultant and let them know if you would be interested in working there again so they can relay this to their client. Be open and honest, when we know what works for you and what does not we are able to tailor the work to you and ensure that your needs are met as well as those of the school. If you are unhappy, do not bottle it up, be honest about your experiences good or bad, we can and will listen and adapt things to help you.      

Supply teaching is a fantastic career choice, one that can provide flexibility and the ability to increase your experience in a short space of time, this is why in particular Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) are encouraged undertake such roles. Hopefully by following these tips you will give yourself the best chance of success. Good luck!  

View all our supply jobs and apply today!

It is that time of year again when, as a teacher, you are readying yourself for another exciting year of study. It can be an exceptionally busy time, which is why it is important you get as much planning done ahead of the first bell of the new term. Once that rings, it is very much go, go, go.

This guide will help you get organised, easing you back into the professional mindset after what is always a welcome break. It is time to get focused, so that you begin as you mean to go on – inspired, full of ideas and enthused about teaching.

Establish a thorough schedule

Make the most of the “free time’ you have before your pupils return/start school. Ideally, you should look to put together the most comprehensive schedule possible.

Use your school’s academic calendar as a framework and plan in lessons, events, days of interest and so forth. Anything that will complement your efforts in the classroom warrants being included. The more prepared you are, the easier life will be.

Re-familiarise yourself with your subject

Needless to say you are somewhat of an authority on your subject matter, but even the most enthusiastic teacher will cut down on research while on their summer holidays.

Start small. See what the Department for Education has published, for example, browse through your tweets and treat yourself to the latest books. Then, of course, as you get closer to the start of term, absolutely blitz the curriculum until you are confident you grasp the overall picture.

Create the right kind of environment

If you are lucky enough to have your own classroom, you should look to create an inviting, purposeful and productive environment to be in. It has to have a certain wow factor to it, the kind that pupils can thrive in.

Think about the mood you are trying to create, the equipment/resources you need on hand, the information you want youngsters to see everyday. So, for example, if you’re a history teacher, populate your classroom with artefacts, posters and even furniture that is relevant to what you will be teaching.

Energisers, icebreakers and group contracts

It is all about first impressions, especially if you’ve got an entire new set of students to teach. Begin then with a number of fun energisers and icebreakers, so that you and your pupils can get to know one another.

You should also turn your attention to what is expected of your pupils when it comes to behaviour. The most effective way of getting youngsters to “sign up” to a “group contract” is to give them ownership of it. Steering them in the right direction, so to speak, get them to come up with their own rules. Stick it up in a prominent place.

Establish 'working socials'

Once the new term starts, you’ll find that every hour of your day will be used up. Be it planning, marking assignments, contending with paperwork, observing presentations and taking charge of extracurricular responsibilities, teaching can be a solitary affair.

This can mean you hardly ever get to engage with colleagues, which is why it is important to establish regular socials. This should be twofold – one type should be free of work, while the other should be a “working social”, where, over beers and food, you discuss, share and learn from one another.

For any teacher going into the classroom for the first time, it's easy to think that all you'll need is your mind and some brilliant new ideas to help pupils learn. But every little helps, doesn't it? And you can make use of some fantastic materials and items to make your life that little bit easier when you take control of a class for the very first time. 

Here, we take a look at just a few of the fantastic things every teacher should consider buying before they take their first step into the classroom. 

Staple remover

Surely we all remember the pain that was the last day of term when we were at school, when the teacher would enlist the help of pupils to take down the wall decorations that had been hanging for the past year in the classroom. The one problem that always reared its head was that of stubborn staples lodged in the wall, a nightmare to get out. Don't make the same mistake as your teachers did! It sounds simple, sure, but a staple remover is an absolute lifesaver!

Stickers

You don't have the time, as much as we're sure you'd love to, to write a personal message of encouragement on every piece of homework you've marked, and this is where stickers can come in useful. Little smiley faces and farmyard animals with speech bubbles may seem a little bit archaic for the modern classroom, but they're timeless and always go down well with your pupils. 

Egg timer

Do you have set times for pupils to complete a task? Then an egg timer is your best friend. Set it up in the middle of a table where pupils are doing a deadlined task and they'll quickly get the hang of working in timed conditions. It's great practice for them, and it allows you to set a time and then head off to do something else while it runs down.

Craft supplies

From time to time, some pupils will be finished their work far earlier than others. What you can do in these situations is to give them something to keep them busy. It keeps them from hassling other pupils and distracting you. Craft supplies are a great way to do this, and it feels like a reward for the pupils, so they'll love it too!

Extra pencils and erasers

Everyone forgets their stationery from time to time, particularly younger students, so it's always a good idea to have some spares to hand. Remember, we were all young and forgetful once, and it's best not to chastise them for what was most likely an honest mistake.