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Supply teaching

7 replies

doasIsaynotasIdo · 05/06/2016 15:25

Hi all, apologies if this has been posted before, but I was looking for some advice please. I am a qualified teacher, with going on 15 years experience. Currently working as a full-time TA in a primary school as I have three young kids at home, and the shorter TA hours are much more family friendly. The pay however is not great. I am contemplating swapping my current full time post for supply teaching instead. I'd preferably only do supply across the year groups nursery to year two inclusive. I have no idea what the rate of pay is for supply teaching though, and whether it would be a bonkers thing to swap a steady, full time job for supply work. We live in the south west (south Devon). Any information/advice would be greatly appreciated. Smile. Thank you!

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Doowrah · 06/06/2016 16:12

Rate of pay varies widely...I would definitely do it over TA hours and pay. Although when I do it, it is across the 4-11 ages so I can accept more work. I love it tho' I am returning to it in September. Try it you will always be able to go back to TA work if it doesn't work out.

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GinandJag · 06/06/2016 18:44

I did supply after my very long maternity leave, and again early this year following a career break.

Supply is great if you get the amount of work you want, and if you can get on the books of one or two good schools. You will get loads of experience in a short time and be very employable in the future.

My preference was short contracts where I could do the "full job", rather than waiting for a 7.30am call.

When I did block supply at the beginning of this academic year, my take home pay was around £100 a day. I had no trouble getting a very well paid permanent job in January.

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BackforGood · 06/06/2016 18:49

There's supply and then there's supply.
The most difficult thing is childcare if you are waiting for a 7.30 call - if you've not got it you can't accept the work, if you have it then you might be paying for something on days you are not working.

Also, agencies pay differently. What is ideal is when you are 'known' to a school and they will pay you directly, but sadly this is much rarer these days. I guess you would have to contact agencies near you and see what they pay, or alternatively talk to your HT and see if (s)he would employ you on a regular basis, and recommend you to other local HTs.

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kellyleejones · 09/06/2016 12:19

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Sleeperandthespindle · 09/06/2016 19:44

I think you might struggle in South Devon to get enough regular supply. However, agencies also provide supply TAs, so maybe you could do that as well?

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Laselva · 10/06/2016 19:11

Have you considered a part-time roll? I do 5 mornings a week at a local school. I get all my planning and prep done in a couple of afternoons. It means I'm always able to pick up my on DCs (DH is able to do morning drop off). As an experienced teacher I get more pay than a full time TA, I'm also paying into my teachers pension. I also work fewer hours than full time TA. I tend to do 8-12.15 three days and 8-3 two days per week.
Remember with supply you won't get paid holidays and we were just talking today about how we haven't had a supply teacher in school in 2016, our head uses TAs to cover as much as possible.

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doasIsaynotasIdo · 25/06/2016 13:34

Thank you all so much for your replies, I really appreciate them. Doing a part time job would be perfect, but unfortunately, the school where I currently work (which is also when my daughter goes) has an unwritten policy of not hiring part-time workers or doing job shares. Head seems dead against it. I have started to scout around for other job share roles in local schools, but nothing has come up as yet.

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