NASUWT Representatives

Coverwww.nasuwt.org.ukWith effect from 1 September 2009, the provisions of theSTPCD on cover changed to a provision that teachers may onlybe required to cover rarely. Every school should have in place aclear policy and ‘robust system’ that does not require teachersor the headteacher to provide cover other than rarely. A robustsystem is one that delivers this contractual entitlement andwould be expected to deal with all foreseeable events, butwould not be expected to deal with unforeseeable events. Whendevising strategies to implement ‘rarely cover’, schools shouldbear in mind that ‘rarely’ does not mean ‘never’.Though some schools have made good progress towards theachievement of this objective and have already reached aposition where their teachers and headteachers only coverrarely, many still have a long way to go, as evidence fromsurveys illustrates.Detailed guidance on the implementation of the rarely coverprovisions in the STPCD can be found on the NASUWT websiteunder ‘Pay, Pensions and Conditions’.NASUWT Representatives should be aware that theseconditions of service provisions are currently subject to nationalaction instructions, and reference should be made to thoseinstructions before advice is given to members or beforeentering into any negotiations on them.Further InformationRarely Cover Survey(NASUWT)51For advice and help ˚ Local Association ˚ Regional Centre ˚ National Executive