Teachers for Supply

Supply teaching has many advantages over teaching full time such as being able to work the days that you want to work and not having to be involved with the statutory testing and recording of data that goes hand in hand with teaching currently. Some supply teachers get the opportunity to take on long term supply cover perhaps because a teacher is absent because of a long term health issue or has been seconded to a different post and the school leaders feel that having one supply teacher for the whole period give the class some continuity. So, what are the pros and cons of this for the individual?

One of the major advantages is having a regular salary. As supply teachers are still paid according to the grade they are on, and their pay includes holidays the amount that a long term supply teacher receives can be very good.

Another advantage, and something that supply teachers often say they miss, is the opportunity to be part of the school community again and take part in the day to day running of the school.

The disadvantage of doing long term supply is that you are then committed to working every day and do not have the freedom of being able to work the days you want and of course you may be required to administer any testing and other assessments that are necessary.

Teaching is an excellent career option that offers tremendous advantages over many other professions available in the marketplace, but it does come with some responsibilities that many find unsustainable. Key among these is the amount of preparatory work that goes into a permanent position in a school. The lack of this added responsibility is one of the key advantages of a career in supply teaching, but continue reading to discover some of the important areas where the two different teaching career options diverge.

Teaching jobs are remarkable in how much of the year you’re able to not work, allowing people to pursue an interest in travel or something similar that takes extended periods of time. On the other hand, while many assume outright that teachers only have to work from 9am to 4pm, or approximately the opening times of the school, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many teachers end up spending significant amounts of time marking work and planning lessons, and for the most dedicated teachers, this could see them dedicating over 50 hours a week to work, which leads to a lot of burnout. This is not the case for supply teaching.

Supply teaching, while typically having lower pay than a full-time position, the position rarely requires work to be done outside of school opening hours. Supply teachers are typically paid on a pro-rata basis, meaning for every day you’re filling a position you earn a fixed salary for that day. Supply teachers are unable to produce lesson plans, as lessons may be taking place outside of your area of expertise, which means that less time is required for preparing a class. Supply teachers in Cambridge will rarely have a responsibility for marking work either, which yet again reduces your responsibilities.

Another feature that some individuals consider desirable regarding supply teaching in Cambridge positions is that supply teachers rarely fill specific subject teaching roles. This means that those who’ve grown bored of teaching History, for example, can take on a supply teaching position and enjoy teaching children maths or English on occasion instead. This feature, plus the reduced working hours of a supply teaching position, are the main ways in which supply teaching can be an excellent solution for teachers who are experiencing burnout but still want to perform a teaching role.

There is a potential disadvantage of working in supply teaching, which is the lack of steady work. Even if you build up a relationship with a particular school, it is not uncommon for supply teachers to suffer from a lack of work, sometimes for extended periods of time. In situations like this, it becomes even more clear as to why supply teaching agencies play such a fundamental role in securing jobs and workers for both schools and teachers. These agencies are able to help you manage your schedule so that work comes in at a manageable rate, and you don’t have to spend so much energy on looking for work.

When working as a supply teacher it is better if you can work in a small number of schools on a regular basis rather than continually working in different schools but sometimes especially if you work for a supply teaching agency you may be required to work in a school that is unfamiliar to you. Although this can be quite stressful there are a few tips that will make the situation easier for you.

The first thing you should do is to arrive at the school early enough in the morning so that you have the opportunity to discuss the routines of the day with the headteacher or class teacher. Making a note of break times, lunchtime and assembly times is a good idea in case you forget.

Whilst talking to the teacher or headteacher it is important to find out a bit about any pupils in the class who have special needs and need extra support. There may be a support assistant who is familiar with the class who may be able to work with any children who need additional support throughout the day or for some part of it.

Unfamiliarity with the school building will be an issue but often the pupils will be able to show you where the hall is or the way they usually go out to break time for instance. The key message is to ask other members of staff for help if you need it and stay calm and in control.