What we expect - the things you should do
DO always ask if you are unsure about anything. Never just wait around but seek out the cover co-ordinator (often the school office staff in a primary school) or Head of Department/Head of Year who will be able to assist you. The more proactive you are, the more the school, and ultimately the pupils, will enjoy having you with them.
DO read and adhere fully with each individual school’s Safeguarding, Behaviour, Health and Safety, and Online Safety policies and procedures.
DO know the names of the Head Teacher/Deputy/Head of Year and then use them when addressing behaviour issues
DO ensure that as well as reading and following the school’s Safeguarding/Child Protection Policy, you are aware of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and their Deputy in the event you may need to make a report.
DO welcome the pupils with a smile, introduce yourself and make sure that your name is on the board and visible to the pupils. Do get to know pupil names and use them throughout the lesson – draw up a seating plan if you do not have one and/or use name labels to assist you.
DO set clear expectations and boundaries at the beginning of the lesson and adhere to them throughout your time with the class. Present yourself as firm but fair.
DO read the school’s policy on physical contact with pupils before you meet the class and adhere
strictly to it. Be aware that some schools have a no-touching policy. Clarify with the school if you are unsure about any part of it.
DO get to know your teaching assistant/support staff before the start of the lesson if you can. They have been in the school before you and know the rules and routines of the school better than you. Find out their responsibilities and discuss how to work together.
DO teach the work that the school has provided. Pupils will be in the middle of a scheme of work and need to progress with that during your lesson. Don’t deviate unless you have been instructed by a senior member of staff. If work has not been set, write a note, and give it to a sensible pupil to take to the Head of Department/Head of Year. In the meantime, use your own resources to keep the pupils engaged.
DO always take pre-prepared work with you as a back-up in case you find that there is no work set. It is also a good idea to take a selection of board pens, pens, and pencils in case these are in short supply
DO get up off your seat, walk around the classroom and interact with the pupils.
DO be HAPPY. Face each new challenge with a smile and be proactive – bring a sense of humour to school and a thick skin – remember that pupils don’t cope with change very well. Don’t take things personally.
DO dress appropriately at all times in smart/casual wear. No jeans or trainers should be worn at any time (unless teaching PE of course).
DO follow the school smoking policy at all times.
DO inform the member of staff in charge of supply if you need to leave the school grounds during lunch time break. Remember to sign out and then sign back in and report to the same person on arrival back at the school. You must arrive back at the school with time to prepare for your next lesson. Failure to be in class and fully prepared at the start of the next lesson is not acceptable.
DO ensure all pupils under your care leave safely at the end of the day – this is especially important with younger children who must not be left unattended or leave with an unidentified adult. Check the school’s end of day expectations and finish time beforehand.
DO make sure you have completed all the necessary marking and completed the handover notes for the regular teacher. This will let the teacher know how your day went, the ups and downs, and where to continue. Remember to always leave the classroom tidy. If this is done properly it will impress and increase your chance of being asked back to the school.
DO speak to your school contact before you leave and report any incident, however minor (or earlier, if necessary, especially if there are any child protection concerns) and thank them for the day. If you have had a good day or were particularly impressed by something, say so. Compliments and courtesy can go a long way. Speak to your school contact before you leave and report any incident, however minor (or earlier, if necessary, especially if there are any child protection concerns) and thank them for the day. If you have had a good day or were particularly impressed by something, say so. Compliments and courtesy can go a long way.
DO let us know if any changes are made to your booking directly with you or the school. Our timesheet process requests that you notify Step Teachers immediately if any days/hours you work vary from those identified in the booking confirmations we sent to you.
DO ask whether you are required back the next day.
DO contact us immediately should you encounter any problems during an assignment and report any incident to your Step Teachers consultant at the end of the day.
DO contact Step Teachers if for any reason you cannot make an assignment that you have been booked in for. Please let us know as soon as possible but before 7.15am on the day of the assignment at the latest.
DO remember to notify us of any changes to your personal details/circumstances as soon as they happen so that our records are up to date, and any necessary action taken.
What we don’t expect - the things that you shouldn’t do:
DON’T ever leave pupils in the class unsupervised under any circumstances. Always send the teaching assistant (if present) or a sensible pupil to get assistance.
DON’T highlight you are in the school on a short-term basis. This gives pupils the impression that they do not need to be concerned about you in the long term.
DON’T give your pupils the impression you are there just to supervise them – remember you are there to teach (unless you are there in a Cover Supervisor or Teaching Assistant role).
DON’T be alone in a classroom with a pupil. If a pupil wants to talk to you on a 1-to-1 basis, tell a permanent member of staff beforehand. If they agree to this, always have the classroom door open and make sure others know exactly what the situation is. Inform the pupil in advance that even if they speak to you in confidence, you will need to report details of the conversation to the relevant safeguarding lead in the school.
DON’T turn your back on pupils especially in a small environment such as stock rooms or store
cupboards.
DON’T ever shout, scream, lose your temper, or swear at a pupil or class – if a pupil swears at you, do not swear back. Always avoid any action or tone that may be interpreted as aggressive or confrontational.
DON’T use slang words or phrases as these can be misinterpreted and cause offence. Never use sarcasm as it will be misinterpreted. Be aware that the pupils do not know you or your sense of humour. Comments such as “are you stupid” are strictly forbidden however they are meant.
DON’T have your phone switched on during your lesson, never answer a call, send texts, surf the internet, or take photos/videos under any circumstance. Never show pupils any photos or videos on your phone. Don’t befriend any pupils on social media.
DON’T talk about your personal life as this compromises your professional persona and can leave you in a difficult situation. Very often details of these conversations are passed onto regular staff members and are heavily frowned upon.
DON’T consume alcohol or any recreational drugs on school premises or attend school whilst under the influence of these.
DON’T lock pupils in the classroom, no matter what their behaviour. If you are having problems
controlling a class, send a sensible pupil for assistance.
DON’T read during the class; you are there to teach not read. If the class is settled and working, circulate the class and keep all the pupils on track. This will lead to a better working environment and a productive lesson.
DON’T leave the school early; if you find that you have a free period at the end of the day, remain at the school. If you leave the school early without their consent, you may not get paid for the full day. Use the time to speak to useful contacts at the school, complete your handover notes and ask if there is anything else you can do to help.
DON’T let the class out early. Always follow the school timetable and wait for the bell to sound before the class can go.
DON’T discuss or share your personal religious beliefs or political opinions with pupils nor question any pupils’ religious beliefs or political opinions. This also applies if you are teaching a Religious Education or Politics class. You are not there to preach religion or politics. You must always remain impartial.
DON’T listen to music during your lesson nor wear in-ear headphones or air phones. You are there to teach and to give the class your full attention. It is very unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour.
Online Tutors must also:
- Treat all pupils fairly and without prejudice or discrimination.
- Ensure that whilst online your environment does not display any inappropriate images or documentation capable of being viewed by the pupil or parent/responsible adult.
- Always ensure that the language used is appropriate and not offensive or discriminatory.
- Ensure that any conduct with the pupils is appropriate to their role as a tutor and confined to the relevant lesson session.
- Not make any improper suggestions to the pupil.
- Not send personal or unsolicited communications via any means to the student or parent/responsible adult.
- Value and take the pupil’s contributions seriously.
- Report any emergency, dispute or incident with a pupil or parent/responsible adult to Step Teachers in accordance with the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
- Report any inappropriate behaviour or illegal activity identified within a lesson session by the student or third party in accordance with the Step Teachers Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
- Continue to be aware of signs a child may be at risk and report any such concerns appropriately.
- Be aware that online tutoring sessions are recorded for the safety of all users.
