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A conference, held at Swansea Metropolitan University, has called for the skills gap to be closed between those with permanent teaching jobs and those employed on a supply basis.

Highlighting the need for equality in the teaching profession, discussions during the event focussed on the provision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for supply teachers, to enable them to maintain the same level of knowledge and skills as permanently employed teachers, and the need to create an online resource for supply teachers to keep up-to-date with legislation and find out about training courses.

Hosted by the Dragon Innovation Partnership, the event was well attended by supply teachers, school managers, teaching unions and teacher agencies. Also in attendance was the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Hutt AM, who spoke in support of the work of supply teachers.

Attendees at the conference: Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner; Catharine Bleasdale, Trinity University College; Peter Thomas, Swansea Metropolitan University; Jane Hutt AM; and Swansea Met Dean of Humanities, Professor Ken Jones.

Swansea Metropolitan University’s Peter Thomas, an ex-headmaster, led the discussions and urged the floor to think about enhancing the quality of teaching in the locality.

He said: “Supply teacher provision comes with high costs to Wales and over 40% of primary schools now use a supply teacher for at least one day a week.
 

“To make sure that Wales gets the most for its money there is a real need for CPD for supply teachers, so that skills gaps are closed between those permanently employed and those providing supply support. 

“Over the last few years there have been a number of occasions where supply teachers have been accused of providing low-grade, poor quality support that causes classroom disruption, but these people are qualified teachers and we should be doing all we can to support them, so that classroom switchover between teachers becomes seamless and our children’s education is not affected.”

Peter’s sentiments were echoed by attendees during group discussion tasks, where the thoughts of supply teachers were noted.

Peter continued: “There is a definite need for CPD courses that do not clash with the supply teachers’ opportunities to work, or a choice of funded CPD courses that provide an incentive to learn rather than earn. 

“There is also a need for feedback and an open culture between schools and supply teachers to encourage improvements in the delivery of education and the performance of the schools.

“But most significantly, there is a need to create a learning community amongst supply teachers that would provide supply teachers with support – from legislation, to CPD course availability, the sharing of school experiences, lesson plans and good practice.”

Hosted by the Dragon Innovation Partnership: Supply teacher programme leader, Peter Thomas and  Dean of Humanities, Professor Ken Jones flank Dragon Innovation Partnership host, Kathryn David, Head of Commercial Services in Swansea Metropolitan University.

 Jane Hutt, AM, spoke in support of the needs of supply teachers.  She said: “The next Welsh Assembly Government continuing professional development review will look specifically at the needs of supply teachers.

“It has been extremely interesting to listen to the views expressed here today, and I look forward to hearing the end outcomes of your discussions. I strongly suggest you take the main points to the Welsh Assembly Government.”

One attendee commented, “I believe this event is ahead of a national agenda.”