Supply teaching jobs are becoming increasingly popular and the indications are that there has been a corresponding increase in demand. Research by Randstad Education demonstrates that the average number of supply teachers working each week has risen steadily since 2010, reaching 15,500 in primary schools and 6,800 in secondary schools by the end of 2012.
Supply teaching jobs via agencies.
This trend is expected to continue in 2013 as the early part of this year saw demand increase by eight per cent on 2012 levels. Randstad Education keeps a weekly record of supply teachers working in UK schools and, as a specialist agency with a significant market share, is able to accurately estimate the national picture. This provides valuable information for head teachers, those already working in school support roles or supply teaching in schools, as well as for those planning to do so.
The importance of being in the loop.
Getting expert help and advice is vital when job-hunting or recruiting, particularly in the education sector where specialist knowledge makes a huge difference. Randstad Education has a specific focus on providing short-term temporary opportunities such as supply posts.
The company works across the whole of the education sector, particularly within nurseries and primary, secondary and special schools throughout England and Wales and additionally provides opportunities for longer-term temporary posts. Whether looking for or recruiting for supply teaching or teaching assistant jobs, there is no substitute for the comprehensive and authoritative guidance available from agencies that know the territory.
For example, Randstad Education is familiar with the times of year when supply teachers are likely to be most in demand – the spring term is regularly the busiest as schools prepare to bolster staff numbers in preparation for summer exams. Randstad also understands the variations in the requirements of different types of schools – in 2012 the numbers of secondary support staff increased by 60 per cent compared to the previous year while primary school support staff increased by 25 per cent in the same period.
Working as a supply teacher, particularly as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) or as an experienced primary, secondary or SEN teacher can lead to permanent positions as well. In 2012, more than 1,000 teaching jobs were filled on a permanent basis by Randstad Education supply agency. Many of these were the result of a temporary or contract teaching assignment of approximately 1 school term in the classroom.
Finding the right agency.
Local supply teaching agencies serving a specific geographical region tend to have limited access to jobs outside their immediate area, whereas an agency that works nationwide is able to flag up opportunities across the country, offering jobseekers more choice in terms of where supply teachers and support staff are needed, which types of school are recruiting and what levels of pay are being offered. The UK market leader in education recruitment, Randstad Education works with more than 2,500 schools every week and has been helping teachers and support staff to find temporary and permanent education jobs for nearly twenty years.
Research has identified an upward trend in supply teaching rates and Randstad’s supply teachers and support staff are rewarded for their hard work and commitment via competitive rates of pay with no hidden deductions.
