Mr Pope shows me his lesson plans, which all match the National Curriculum. He is also required to leave a detailed account of what he has done as means of liaison with the regular teacher. Educational continuity is integral to the process in a way that is rarely is with supply teachers.
A days supply normally costs a school £150-£200, but often the teachers who turn up are inadequate. Scott Young, Bigfoot's supply teacher agency co-ordinator, says: "I worked for two supply agencies before I came here. There were constant horror stories about fill-in teachers who couldn't control classes, who fell asleep - at best - contained the children in the regular teachers absence but did little to develop them."
For an actor such as Pope, who also runs drama workshops in prisons, Bigfoot charges £165 a day, with discounts for bulk booking. Of this he gets £100. "I'm happy with that. It's good money for an actor," he says. Bigfoot offers a high-quality service, and it undercuts the competition.
When I comment on Mr Pope's talents to Karl Wozny, he says: "I've got dozens more of his calibre on my books." The "supply industry" better watch out, if this catches on it could put many supply agencies out of business.
