Number of support staff teaching lessons is growing

Support staff are increasingly taking over the role of supply teachers, a survey shows.

Research carried out by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), shows that out of nearly 1,000 support staff quizzed, 78 per cent feel that the work they do is similar to the work done by supply staff.

This has increased by 14 per cent from last year, which was at 64 per cent.

Almost half of respondents (48 per cent) also stated that the number of supply staff at their school had decreased as they are not being replaced when they leave.

In addition to this, 72 per cent said that they believe it is not possible to supervise a class without delivering a lesson despite their role being just to supervise.

Twenty-nine per cent said they are expected to carry out the full range of duties of a teacher, even though they are paid at a support staff rate, and 75 per cent said they must work extra hours because their workload demands it.

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, commented: “As these results show, support staff are feeling the pressure to actually teach lessons and to plug the gap in staff shortages when teachers leave and do not get replaced.

“As the Government continues to squeeze school budgets, there simply aren’t enough funds to replace staff.

“It is worrying that this year more support staff feel the work they do when acting as a cover supervisor is identical to that done by supply teachers, with an increase of 14 per cent.

"Support staff are struggling under excessive workloads as much as teachers and this survey shows that, sadly, support staff feel over-utilised and undervalued."

She added: “It is unacceptable that so many support staff are working longer hours and are not being paid for them.”