Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “arrange cover, duties and substitute teachers”

Here is the best way to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

45 min
typically, every day
50%
of the time can be automated
Some setup
to set up

Fix 1 of 1

Software feature

Let the absence system find substitutes and post cover

Absence management systems take teacher absences, offer the job to substitutes automatically and show who is covering what. No early-morning phone tree.

Typically saves about 45% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your district uses Frontline Absence Management, Red Rover or a staffing partner like ESS.
  2. 2Have staff report absences only through it.
  3. 3Set preferred substitutes per teacher or subject.
  4. 4Use the daily cover report for internal duties.

Tools: Frontline Absence Management · Red Rover · ESS

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for School administrators