FOI Request - Supply Teacher Usage and Deployment

Request 101003688275

I am requesting access to information held by your council regarding the deployment of supply teachers during the week of the teacher census, specifically from Monday, September 9 to Friday, September 13, 2024, with a particular focus on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.

Specifically, I am seeking the following:

Supply Teacher Deployment During Census Week:

1. The dates and times supply teachers were engaged during this week.
2. The duration of their assignments, particularly any one-day or short-term work assigned within this period.
3. The total number of supply teachers deployed each day from September 9 to September 13, with detailed figures for Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
 

Internal Communications Regarding Supply Teacher Deployment:

4. Any internal communications or memos related to the deployment of supply teachers during this week, especially communications referencing the teacher census on Wednesday, September 11, 2024; Guidance or Policies on Supply Teacher Deployment for the Census:

5. Any guidelines, policies, or instructions provided to staff regarding the engagement of supply teachers during this week, particularly if they relate to ensuring or managing staffing levels for the census on September 11, 2024.
Comparison to Non-Census Weeks and Averages:

6. The average number of supply teachers deployed on a daily or weekly basis in non-census weeks, such as in August or earlier in September 2024.
A comparison of this average with the number of supply teachers deployed during census week (September 9–13, 2024) to identify any significant changes.

Response 21-01-2025

1. -3. Please find the information requested here. 

4. Supply teachers were employed as usual during the period of census week to cover absence / illness / vacancy whilst advertised. No memos or internal communications were sent out regarding supply or referencing census week. 

5. No guidelines or policies were provided regarding the engagement of supply teachers

6. There would be no difference in terms of the percentages as there was no additional ask of supply teachers on census week.