Thank God it’s Friday

4th October 2002, 1:00am

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Thank God it’s Friday

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/thank-god-its-friday-437
MONDAY The phone rings at 8am. A head from a school I’ve never been to asks if I’ll do a day’s supply in a “lively” Year 3 class. He’s relieved when I accept, and says I’m the 29th teacher he’s phoned. Eight children in the class have behavioural problems, and the classroom assistants are all off doing the same course as the teacher.

TUESDAY I’m in a reception class at another school, where I’m asked to do PE. There are 30 children. Only one, Sarah, can dress herself. By home time I’m exhausted, having tied 29 ties and fastened hundreds of buttons. Sarah’s mum arrives. She points out that Sarah is wearing a cardigan marked Sophie and a shirt bearing the name Samantha.

WEDNESDAY I’m in another school to teach a Year 1 class. On arrival, I’m told I’m now required to teach a junior class in a temporary classroom. The teacher has left no note. The children’s books have disappeared and there’s no paper. At playtime, I get a note from the deputy. It says: “It’s your playground duty.” A woman crosses the playground carrying hot drinks...but not for me.

THURSDAY I’m in a Year 3 class at a new school. A mature student on the fourth day of her first teaching practice asks if I would sharpen pencils in the staffroom while she takes the whole class. Before I can reply, the teacher next door pops in with instructions for the day. These direct me to do whole-class teaching, with the student supporting small groups. The student looks disappointed. My playground duty again.

FRIDAY No work, so I make a start on an application for a full-time job. The phone rings. It is a friend with a full-time job who is on sick leave with stress. She tells me she can’t cope with 60-plus hours a week and wants something less stressful - like supply teaching.

Alex Young is a supply teacher in Devon Need to get something off your chest? We want to hear from the happy and the hacked-off. Write to Jill Craven, Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1W 1BX or email: jill.craven@tes.co.uk. We pay for every article we publish

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