At justteachers, we can offer you exciting and flexible PPA Cover Teacher roles within our partner schools across the Yorkshire, Lancashire, Midlands, Lincolnshire, Norfolk & Cambridgeshire areas. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher or new to the profession, our roles provide the variety and flexibility you need to thrive in the educational landscape. Let’s find out more!
What is PPA?
PPA stands for Planning, Preparation and Assessment. In the UK, teachers are entitled to dedicated time, within their working hours, for these crucial activities. This ensures they can plan lessons, prepare materials and assess student progress without the immediate pressure of classroom teaching.
The role of a PPA Cover Teacher
A PPA Cover Teacher steps in to teach the class while the regular teacher utilises their PPA time. This role is vital in maintaining the continuity of student learning and ensuring that regular teachers have the time they need to fulfill their planning, preparation and assessment duties effectively.
Who can cover PPA time?
PPA cover can be provided by various educators, including:
- Specialist Teachers: Those with expertise in subjects like art, music, PE or performing arts.
- Experienced Classroom Teachers: Teachers who are familiar with the curriculum and school standards.
- Teaching Assistants: In some cases, trained Teaching Assistants may cover PPA sessions, though this depends on the school’s policy.
- Supply Teachers: Qualified supply teachers are often employed to cover PPA time.
The key responsibilities of a PPA Cover Teacher
- Teaching pre-planned lessons or creating lesson plans that align with the curriculum.
- Maintaining order and managing classroom behaviour effectively.
- Engaging and motivating students using creative methods and resources.
The benefits of being a PPA Cover Teacher
One of the main perks to being a PPA Cover Teacher is the variety of the role. You’ll work in a variety of schools, classes and subjects, giving you a wealth of experience of working within different school cultures and with various student age groups & backgrounds, which can lead to increased confidence and self-efficacy as a teacher.
PPA cover roles offer a more flexible schedule compared to full-time teaching positions, allowing for a better work-life balance. With fewer long-term commitments, it can be easier to balance personal and professional responsibilities.
Unlike full-time teachers, PPA Cover Teachers are not responsible for long-term planning, extensive marking or administrative tasks, which significantly lowers the pressure of the role and allows you to focus on delivering engaging lessons. Typically, PPA Cover Teachers are assigned to teach specific, creative subjects like Music, Art, Drama or Physical Education.
FAQ’s linked to PPA Cover roles
Q: What qualifications do I need to be a PPA Cover Teacher?
A: Generally, you’ll need a teaching qualification and some experience in education. Specialised skills in creative subjects are a bonus.
Q: How do I manage different classrooms and subjects effectively?
A: Flexibility and adaptability are crucial. Prepare by familiarising yourself with general teaching strategies and specific requirements of each subject.
Q: Are there opportunities for professional development?
A: Yes, we offer regular CPD training and learning opportunities, in person and online, across all of our branch areas, including fully-funded De-Escalation Behaviour Management courses. Click here to register with us to gain access to an array of Teaching and Support roles & CPD opportunities.
Q: How can I ensure a positive learning environment?
A: Establish clear rules, maintain consistency where possible and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour and engagement.
Useful Resources for PPA Cover Teachers
To excel within this role, it’s helpful to have a toolkit of resources:
- Lesson Plan Templates: Twinkl offers templates and pre-made lesson plans for various creative subjects including Music, Drama & PSHE.
- Educational Apps: Using engaging game-based education apps like Kahoot! and Quizlet can help to make learning interactive and fun.
- Creative Teaching Tools: If you’d like to design your own resources, Canva, an online design and publishing platform, provides a range of tools for creating visually appealing and engaging classroom materials.
- Organising Your Time: Each day as a PPA Cover Teacher may involve covering different schools, subjects & age groups, so it’s helpful to stay organised with a physical diary or by using apps such as School Planner where you can create a weekly timetable of lessons and manage daily tasks.
