The Wales Audit Office and inspectorate Estyn have found that just under one in 10 lessons is now covered by staff who are not the usual class teacher.
In two reports issued this week, they claim that schools’ cover policies do not provide the best use of resources.
The Welsh Audit Office found that maintained schools in Wales spent an estimated £54 million on classroom supply cover in 2011/12 – an increase of seven per cent since 2008/09. Reasons included teachers’ sickness, training and attendance at meetings.
Meanwhile, Estyn concludes that learners make less progress when their usual class teacher is absent and their behaviour is often worse.
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