Can I work as a supply teacher forever?

[dunkingthedonut]

Hi posting her for traffic

When you gain QTS can you work in supply forever and never get a contacted job as a teacher. I know there will be many people here who would advise against it. I was just curious if many people did it.

As others have said, just be aware that agency pay is awful. I approached a local school directly and they now use me without an agency involved. I cost them about the same as if I was agency staff, but the money comes to me. This means that I get paid almost double what agency teachers are getting, plus I was automatically enrolled in the teacher's pension scheme! I do feel bad for the agency teachers at the school!

My friend did 5 years on a permanent contract (including her qts year) then did supply. They only downside is she isn't in the main teaching pension scheme and only gets the statutory minimum Nest scheme from her agency. She works about half time but earns 4/5's of full time wage

No. You will need to complete your ECT years which is minimum hours over two years period. You Need mentoring. Pass observations. Pass additional assignments. Once you have done that you can then Supply forever if you wish.