what is a supply teacher?
As a supply teacher, you stand in for a teacher who cannot make it to class. When a permanent teacher is on leave or absent for some time, a temporary vacancy becomes available at the school. A supply teacher takes the temporary teaching contract and performs the teacher's responsibilities during the period of absence.
You will work at different locations and different schools since the work is on a contractual basis. Becoming a supply teacher is usually challenging since you have to adapt to the teaching schedule of the permanent teacher. You also need to be conversant with various subject areas to substitute for any year, school and age group.
As a supply teacher, you have the same responsibilities as a permanent teacher. That means you prepare lesson plans and educate pupils according to the national curriculum. You also assess the students, offer feedback and encourage them to work towards their careers. Occasionally, you may be required to supervise pupils during school activities, field trips, excursions and cultural outings.
Supply teachers are usually needed in primary, secondary and further education institutions to assist when temporary vacancies are available. When looking for supply teacher vacancies, you should look for an agency. Most schools request referrals from the agencies before hiring supply teachers. Some supply teachers also look for employment independently.
Would working in education as a supply teacher suit your flexibility and adaptable skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a supply teacher role.
average salary of a supply teacher
According to ONS, a supply teacher earns a median pay of £35,740 per year. Your starting salary is £31,329 annually, while the most experienced supply teachers make up to £47,320 per year.
The pay rates usually vary depending on the school or agency you work for. Some agencies pay daily rates if you work full days and hourly for part-time work. The daily and hourly rates are calculated based on the annual salary you would get in a permanent role. Unfortunately, you will not enjoy the benefits of full-time employment like medical allowances and sick pay. However, some agencies pay for your medical insurance.
how to increase your salary as a supply teacher
A supply teacher's salary relies on personal attributes like skills, experience and academic qualifications. When you have prior experience, you receive more temporary teaching contracts and better daily or hourly rates. The agency and the school also determine your take-home salary. For instance, if the agency determines the pay rate, you will likely earn less since they deduct their fee. Independent schools may have higher pay rates than other schools due to their less limited resources.
types of supply teachers
Some of the types of supply teachers include:
- primary school supply teacher: as a supply teacher covering for primary teachers, you need to be conversant with the subjects covered in the national curriculum. Sometimes, you have to cover for a teacher for an entire term. That means you will teach all subjects for the term. In primary schools, you help children between five and 11 years and prepare them for secondary education.
- secondary school supply teacher: as a secondary supply teacher, you specialise in one or two subjects and cover for the teachers in their absence. Your work involves teaching, lab work and marking assignments to ensure students work towards their academic objectives.
working as a supply teacher
Working as a supply teacher involves covering teaching in various schools. If you like the sound of this flexibility, read on to find out more about the specific duties and career outlook in the role.
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supply teacher job description
Some of the tasks of a supply teacher include:
- supervising classroom readiness: as a supply teacher, you take up the role of arranging the classroom before pupils arrive. You also organise teaching aids and classroom equipment to create an interactive environment for learning. Your job involves preparing lesson plans that are in line with the curriculum and learning objectives for the year.
- teaching students: whether you are covering for a primary or secondary teacher, your role is to teach students. In primary schools, you educate children on all subjects covered in their year and prepare them for tests. When you are responsible for preparing students for GCSEs, you teach a specific subject.
- maintaining discipline in classrooms: as a supply teacher, you are responsible for maintaining discipline in the assigned classroom. You resolve conflicts between students and maintain order and good behaviour in classes. Sometimes, you have to implement disciplinary measures.
- monitoring student progress: as a supply teacher, you administer evaluations and give students homework to assess their progress. You mark assessments and assignments and discuss the results with the pupils to help them improve their performance. Your job involves recording and discussing students' progress with parents.
- attending meetings: when you are a temporary supply teacher, you participate in all school activities. That means you attend staff meetings and parent-teacher conferences. If the school organises social events, you can assist with the planning and supervise pupils during outings.
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work environment
As a supply teacher, you work temporarily in many schools. That means you can work in multiple schools within one school year. You rotate around independent, community and free schools depending on the availability of teaching opportunities. Hence, your work environments will often change every few months or weeks. Like other teachers, most of your work is indoors since you educate pupils. Sometimes, the curriculum involves lab work and field trips that require you to work outdoors. Supply teaching vacancies aren't always available in your location, which means your job could involve some travelling.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the school, your colleagues may include Key Stage 1 teachers, Key Stage 2 teachers, primary teachers, secondary teachers and early years teachers. You could also work in close proximity to headteachers and teaching assistants, as well as other specialists that could include nursery nurses, reception teachers and school nurses.
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work schedule
As a supply teacher, your work schedule varies depending on the supply teaching job. When you teach primary pupils, your work hours run from 8.30 am and 4 pm, but you have to work extra hours to mark classwork and prepare for future classes. However, in secondary schools, you only cover classes in your area of specialisation. You don't work during the school holidays and have 13 weeks of annual leave. If you offer private tutoring services, you can work remotely in the evenings and at weekends.
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job outlook
Some teachers start as supply teachers to gain experience while waiting for a permanent job. Some also choose supply teaching over permanent employment, as they prefer the job's flexibility. While supply teachers don't get the same benefits and career development as permanent teachers, you can find various courses to improve your skills. You can explore private tutoring and education consultancy services to branch out into self-employment.
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advantages of finding a supply teacher job through randstad
Finding your supply teacher job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a supply teacher is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the routes of becoming a supply teacher include:
- undergraduate degree: as a supply teacher, you need to obtain the qualified teacher status (QTS). An undergraduate degree with a QTS like BA in Education or Science qualifies you to become a teacher. If the undergraduate degree doesn't offer a QTS, you can complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Other postgraduate routes include School-centred Initial Teacher Training.
- work experience: you need some experience to land your first job. When you are in your final year of your teacher training qualification, you can register as a supply teacher to be considered for opportunities. Some supply teachers start as teaching assistants to gain experience.
skills and competencies
The skills and characteristics of a successful supply teacher include:
- resilience: as a supply teacher, you often don't spend as much time with groups of pupils, so establishing a rapport can be more challenging. Sometimes, you have to work with children with educational or behavioural difficulties. If you are not resilient, it can be difficult to deal with tough situations.
- patience: as a supply teacher, you need the patience to repeat the same concept multiple times for students to understand. You also have to deal with troublemakers, which requires patience and the ability to keep calm under challenging situations.
- classroom management skills: as a supply teacher, you need classroom management skills for pupils to respect your position. The skills help you set classroom expectations and rules and hold pupils accountable for breaking the rules.
- organisation skills: as a supply teacher, you can teach in multiple schools simultaneously. You need organisation skills to keep up with all your duties.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a supply teacher
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what does a supply teacher do?
As a supply teacher, you cover for permanent teachers by carrying out their lesson plans. You teach students, mark assignments and maintain records of their progress. Sometimes, you have to liaise with parents during meetings.
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are supply teachers paid more than teachers?
Supply teachers are usually paid daily rates or hourly wages depending on their duties and experience level. Working extra hours increases your salary, and you don't have to take work home. Permanent teachers usually receive a basic wage without overtime pay. Hence, a supply teacher sometimes earns more.
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do you need qualifications to become a supply teacher?
You need an undergraduate degree with qualified teaching status (QTS) to become a supply teacher. You also need work experience and subject specialisation to teach in secondary schools.
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is it worth being a supply teacher?
Many people become supply teachers due to the flexibility that the role offers. You choose your work hours, and you can take time off within the school term.
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are supply teachers self-employed?
Most supply teachers seek supply teaching opportunities through an agency. However, you can also look for supply teaching jobs and save the agency fees deducted from your pay.
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how do I apply for a supply teacher vacancy?
Applying for a supply teacher job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
