Anyone else doing/about to start supply teaching

[saadia]

i have signed up with a few agencies but have not had any work as yet. There was a possible long term post in an Academy that was a bit too far away for me so I didnt take it. Am just waiting to see what else comes up while still applying for NQT jobs, am also getting rather comfortable/complacent being at home. Anyone else in the same boat?

[overmydeadbody]

I supply teach one day a week atm, it's a long term ongoing position covering PPA time at a school, I teach a subject and have to do all my own planning.

The other four days I work as a special needs TA while applying for ful time teaching posts. I have given in my resignation for the TA role though as I cannot so it any more (for my self esteem) and will be supplying after half term if I haven't got a full time teaching position by then...

[guggenheim]

I'm a supply teacher. I had a ppa cover post last year but that finished in July and now I'm waiting to see what will happen. I'm not with an agency, I just put my cv into some local schools. I don't expect much work before October / nOvember and there are a few scare stories that schools aren't, never going to use supply teachers, ever, never again but some of my supply teachy friends found that it had a very slow start last year and then they were booked up for the rest of the year.

How do you find supply? Realise that is a stupid question to ask an nqt! I miss full time teaching (especially the pay packet) but not the stress and -insane- assertive parents.

[Themumsnot]

I have signed up with one agency and sent my details to two more, but no work on the horizon yet. I had three interviews last term but those are the only permanent positions that have come up in my area since the beginning of the year. I'm also an NQT and getting quite depressed about the lack of work in my part of the country.

[guggenheim]

Is still quite early for supply though, themumsnot (i like your name). No one loves supply teachers until half the staff go down with the lurgy/ exhaustion/ pregnancy. Sometimes some really odd posts and hours come up which are worth trying because you get to meet heads (or more importantly, the secretary in charge of supply) and you get to find what it's like to work in various schools.

Hope it picks up anyway

[saadia]

That's interesting about the TA role affecting your self esteem overmydeadbody. I was considering it as a specialist TA role in my area (EAL) came up in the summer but I wasn't sure whether to go for it. So far I try to mentally prepare myself in the mornings to work but have had nothing as yet. I signed up with a very local agency yesterday so maybe once they have got references there might be something.

Another thing is that my referees must be getting sick of doing my references - three so far this month.

Guggenheim I do like the idea of supply because I don't want to work full time but am terrified of having to just turn up and teach unknown children with someone else's plans or worse still no plan whatsoever.

I know what you mean themumsnot. Is there a pool in your area? I was old that as I have completed a term of induction I am not eligible for the pool but I will check that info. I missed it last year as I was working and thought my job would become permanent.

[Knowsabitabouteducation]

I did supply and short contract work for two years. It was a great experience for me as I was getting back into teaching after a long break.

The best scenario, IMO, is to work directly for a good school. When I did, I had work for four days a week. It was pretty easy work too - 9 till 3. It was great to get experience across the school, but after being visible in the school after a while, I got all the work going in my specialist subject. They were happy for me to actually teach and do practical work. If you are in one school, you get to know the students.

A good school will have their own supply teachers, so agency jobs tend to be the harder schools to place. It's still good to be on agency books, though, as they might also introduce you to longer term jobs.

Maternity leaves are a good source of work as you are doing the full job, and can build a strong CV.

Don't be discouraged.

[overmydeadbody]

Saadia I'd still recommend going for the TA job, and for the first 18 18 months it was fine, if a bit boring on some days, but the last year I've been doing it has been too much, as I have become quite stagnant and uninspired and unstimulated doing the same thing over and over again, while watching the teachers do what I want to do and feel happy and confident doing.

The children I work with are lovely though!

[guggenheim]

I'm glad there is a supply teaching thread, loving having a virtual staffroom.

knowsabit I'd like to do short term cover next year to build up my skills and ease my way back in to an eventual full time post. I think it's a good way of finding out -stealing- teaching ideas and school ethos (which schools to avoid, for instance)

I enjoy supply teaching , up to a point, I don't like the poor behaviour or the occasional flouncing from teachers.

[GW297]

I'm a supply teacher at the moment. September is always quiet but from mid October onwards you should get work. Better to be with 2 or more agencies. Once you get into the schools they always then ask for you. There will soon be maternity covers etc advertised for January too.

[Makingchanges]

I'm a supply teacher and an NQT (Although finished my PGCE over a year ago) I did supply last year until Christmas and despite being registered with three agencies, only got 1/2 a day in three months!! This time around I've switched one of the agencies and its much better, had two days last week but could have worked 5 if I had been available, have a day booked for this week and I'm going on a guaranteed work scheme next week where I am guaranteed work or pay for 5 days (Although only if I travel up to an hour a day) I'm not sure about it but I'm desperate for money. I did manage to get two temporary term jobs last year though, one through an advert and one through one of my agencies.

[saadia]

Things do sound a bit more hopeful then. Makingchanges I also graduated last year then got a long term post in my placement school. Have signed up with three agencies but get lots of calls from others so I'm wondering whether there is actually work around or whether they get paid commission for each person they sign up.