Supply teaching

Teaching supply agencies find teachers short, medium and long-term placements. They cater for teachers at all stages of their career and whatever their subject or preferred age group. The larger agencies will have a network of offices throughout the country, so whether you’d like to move north or south, or teach in a rural or urban school, there are a wide range of temporary jobs available.

Once you have been taken onto an agency’s books the chances are you won’t be sitting around for long. It’s a very competitive marketplace, so agency staff will be on the phone straightaway to find you a suitable placement – getting a job could take as little as a day.

Supply jobs frequently lead to offers of permanent posts – and with first-hand experience of the school you will be in an excellent position to know whether or not you would like to accept a permanent job, should you be interested in a more secure career.

Gaining qualified teacher status (QTS) as a supply teacher

As a newly qualified teacher it is possible to complete your induction period working as a supply teacher. Whether or not you start your induction year with your first assignment is up to you – however, by law you must complete your induction within four terms of accepting your first supply post. You could complete the induction period in one school or you could carry it out in up to three different schools, as long as each placement lasts for a whole term.
If you do choose to begin your induction as a supply teacher, it is essential to be sure that the school will be willing and able to give you the necessary support. A good supply agency will liaise closely with the school to ensure that their supply teachers have the same level of support as permanent staff. For example, NQTs are entitled to a 10 per cent reduction in their hours for PPA (preparation, planning and assessment) and a further 10 per cent for CPD (continuing professional development).

Registering with a teaching supply agency

There are some agencies that will allow you to register online solely, without asking for a face-to-face interview. Before registering, ensure you will be asked to a face-to-face interview in advance of being matched to a placement. The norm is to be asked to submit an application form and send in your CV, before attending an interview and then being registered with the agency. You will also need to supply your GTC registration, proof of your identity, evidence of your CRB disclosure, and contact details for referees.

Interviews usually take place with one or more recruitment consultants and will be competency based and tailored to the experience you have had. Common themes at interview include how you have dealt with challenging behaviour; how you plan and execute lessons; and how you tailor lessons to different ability groups. If your interview goes well, you will be put on the agency’s books and they will set about finding you a post.

When choosing an agency, look for one that is approved by the Department for Children, Schools and Families Quality Mark, and found on the Recruitment and Employment Federation website. Make sure you do your research into the training and support they offer, just as you would with any other graduate employer.

We would like to thank Peter Flannery, managing director of the teacher recruitment agency Select Education, for his help with this article.