Recently I joined a new recruitment agency as a supply teacher. I am well qualified and well experienced (two good to excellent honours degrees, a PGCE, QTS and 16 years experience), but I've had a bit of a career break to raise kids and do the second degree. During that time, I have been undertaking casual supply teaching with another agency, where I was on £130 per day.
Recently, I signed on with a new agency to maximise my chance of working. When I signed on, I asked about a Cover Supervisor's post they were recruiting for, where the pay ranged from £65-£140 per day. My consultant quickly dismissed my enquiry, saying he'd never consider me for this sort of work, as I was too well qualified and he would find me something "much better".
I had been impressed so far by his manner and professionalism, so I thanked him, feeling that he valued my qualifications and experience enough to find decent bookings for me.
I was delighted when he offered me a day's booking at a local grammar school last week. I knew it had a great reputation and felt that I was in with a chance to impress them, so that I could eventually find more permanent work at the school.
I arrived there for period 2 as requested (9.55am) and was there until 3.45pm. I taught 4/6 lessons that day. Two were in my subject, English and two were Latin, which I don't speak, but nevertheless I found translations online of what the students were studying and went through these with them.
This week the school have had me back on two occasions and each time, I have done my utmost to fulfil all that is expected of a supply teacher. I have loved the experience and the students have warmed to me too. They have been productive and purposeful and the school seem to like me.
But then, today, I got my pay slip for the day I worked last week. I didn't think I'd get £150, which is the advertised pay for a supply teacher at my agency. But I thought I'd get, I don't know - £100 - as I covered 2/3 of the day.
I got £37.
The agency paid me at just over £9 per hour for 4 hours, despite the fact that I was there for 6 hours. They charged me £1 to actually pay me too.
I feel shocked and humiliated and very much played. My consultant admitted that he'd charged the school £65 for me - the lowest rate for a cover supervisor. My friend's brother got that without a degree or experience or and teaching qualification. I asked him why on earth he hadn't told me that I was working as a cover supervisor, especially as he had been dead set against the idea before and we'd both agreed that he'd put me forward for roles that I was qualified for instead.
He didn't have an answer really. He sounded embarrassed.
Had he TOLD me in the first place what the pay conditions were, I would have been able to make an informed decision whether to accept the booking or not. But he didn't. He let me believe I'd be paid at Supply Teacher rates.
I was at the school for 6 hours on each of the three days. When I divide my pay by 6, I'm on £6.33 per hour.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.