You don't have to look far in the news to find alarming reports of full-time teachers of all seniority levels leaving the profession. However, it's not all bad news. The shortage of teachers has led to an increase in demand for supply teachers, with recruitment agencies offering teachers the freedom to choose when and where they work while still making use of their passion for teaching and years of training.
The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) study revealed that full-time permanent teachers work an average of 54 hours per week, and only around 20 are spent teaching - the rest is spent on lesson planning, marking, data collation and form filling. Teachers are often envied under the misconception that they are home each day by 4 pm and on holiday for 13 weeks a year, but the reality is that they do more unpaid overtime than any other industry. It's one of the reasons why one in five teachers is estimated to be considering leaving full-time teaching.
The ability to remain in the teaching profession yet alleviate the pressure of extended working hours has led to a growing number taking roles as supply teachers.
What Are The Main Benefits of Supply Teaching?
- Flexibility
The choice of contracts on offer makes supply teaching an ideal way to work around other responsibilities. Some teachers transfer to supply teaching to work around family commitments, while for others supply teaching helps them return to teaching following a period of absence. Supply teaching is also ideal for teachers who have taken early retirement but still enjoy putting their experience to good use in the classroom, and supplementing their pensions. For teachers seeking a career change, supply teaching provides convenient work to fit around studies or other part-time work.
Whatever your reasons for seeking part-time or temporary teaching work, supply teaching offers the flexibility to create a satisfying work-life balance.
2. Experience
The diverse nature of supply teaching means you can gain a large amount of experience working in a variety of different schools in a short amount of time. This enables supply teachers to gain confidence in their abilities across a range of age groups and subjects and to evaluate which schools provide the best working conditions.
Supply Teaching is also perfect for newly qualified teachers as they can take a role as a supply teacher to build up a strong CV. Using an agency, where the consultants are from an education background, gives you access to invaluable advice and support when needed. Supply teaching also allows you to build relationships with various schools, standing you in good stead for gaining a permanent position in the school of your choice.
3. Extensive Job Opportunities
Working with an agency makes it possible for teachers to find out about a wider range of teaching jobs available within their preferred working area. For those looking for career progression, supply teaching can help them find fulfilling work in a school that fits their career aspirations.
4. Reduced Workload
Supply teachers typically follow lesson plans set by permanent teachers for day-to-day placements, or they will use pre-prepared lessons targeted for the age group and subjects they will be covering. While it is beneficial for a supply teacher to arrive as early as possible to familiarise themselves with the school before classes start, supply teachers can leave at the end of the working day with no obligation to perform unpaid overtime. Supply teachers do, however, have a responsibility to mark any work given to them by pupils.
5. Attractive Pay Rates
Supply teachers earn on average up to £200 per day, depending on experience and the length of the supply term. The broad availability of assignments from short-term placements to long-term temporary roles - it has never been easier for teachers of all levels of experience to make a reliable living from supply teaching work.