Supply Teaching - Is It Worth It?

...by Amanda Novis, PGCE student at Lancaster Campus

With government cutbacks, the number of jobs available for newly qualified teachers is dwindling. This is a cause for concern for many students at the University of Cumbria, which trains a number of teachers for each key stage and subject. Instead of a fixed post, many graduates are having to spend some time in the supply sector. But what is supply work really like?

“The best part is seeing what pupils are learning in other subjects,” says Janet, a graduate in PGCE Secondary RE currently doing supply work. “You know what they're doing in your specialisation at different levels, but other subjects are kind of a mystery until you get in there.” She also enjoys meeting the different classes but sometimes being a supply teacher with a new class can be difficult.

“The kids know you're just a supply teacher. They might never see you again, so they're less worried about acting up. That's particularly a risk with older children. They're pleased to see you at first – they think they're just going to get a video to watch when a supply teacher comes in – but when you tell them that's not the case, that you will be teaching them a proper lesson, they can become difficult.” Once you've been in the same school a few times and developed your relationship with classes more, this becomes less of an issue.

It's not just the kids themselves that can be problematic. Communication can be poor, with no work set for the classes or a lack of clear instructions. On one occasion, Janet was left a note telling her to continue with the work set in the textbooks. However, when the textbooks were not in the classroom and even the head of department didn't know where to find them, the job got tricky.

“But it's definitely worth it,” Janet assures me. “It's just a hard market at the moment. Plus, it looks much better on your CV if you've shown that you're willing to do supply work.” There are also some easily overlooked benefits: “When new jobs come up at the start of term, people currently in teaching jobs can't apply for them because of their notice periods. So there's a little less competition.”

Janet has some tips for those wanting supply work: “Be flexible,” she says. “Be open minded. I'm on contract to travel up to an hour away, so I'll be considered for more work. You can agree to only take long term posts or to teach day to day, but if you want as much experience and opportunity as possible you've got to be willing to take day to day work.” She also recommends signing up for as many agencies as possible to increase your chances of getting work.

Col's note: Education students unable to attend our Teaching Careers Fair on Monday 5th December can find details of teaching supply agencies active in Cumbria and Lancashire at www.delicious.com/skillzone/supply