VALUING THE WORK OF SUPPLY TEACHERS

That this House appreciates and values the work of supply teachers in schools; recognises that professional skills and expertise matter; believes that other than in emergencies schools should only use qualified teachers to cover for absent teachers; expresses concern that schools now have little option but to use agencies which charge them at least £50 more a day than is paid to the supply teacher; and calls on the Government to encourage schools to employ supply teachers directly or through the local authority, rather than use agencies, to ensure supply teachers are paid and have access to continuous professional development opportunities and pension rights on an equal basis to other teachers.