Sub plans and cover work

In about 2 minutes, learn how to make cover work and sub plans.

Video, 1 min 5 s, with subtitles

Try it now: Sub plan templateCover workEmergency sub plans

What you’ll learn

Read the transcript

Off sick, or out on a course? Here's how to leave good cover work fast. In the UK, open the cover work template.

Type the tasks, where the resources are, and what pupils should hand in, then print it or download it as Word. In the US, these are called sub plans. Look at the sample sub plans for a full elementary day, a middle school science lesson and a high school English block.

Press Edit this example to start from one. For art lessons, pick a no-prep activity and press Use this activity, and it drops into the template for you. One important rule…

keep pupils' personal details out of cover work. Leave support information through your school's own system. There are emergency plans and a sub binder too, for days you can't plan ahead.

Try the cover work template now at lessonplanner.info. It's free, and you don't need an account.

Print the guide (PDF, 171 KB)

Check what you know

Pick an answer to see if you’re right. Nothing is saved or sent.

1. What are cover work plans called in the US?

Right. In the US, cover work plans are called sub plans.Not quite. The answer is “Sub plans”. In the US, cover work plans are called sub plans.

2. What should you never put in cover work?

Right. Keep pupils’ personal details out. Leave support information through your school’s own system.Not quite. The answer is “Pupils’ personal details”. Keep pupils’ personal details out. Leave support information through your school’s own system.

3. How do you start from one of the sample sub plans?

Right. Press Edit this example to start from one.Not quite. The answer is “Press Edit this example”. Press Edit this example to start from one.

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