Anyone know about permanent employment rights for teachers?

[pleasestoparguing]

I've been working part time at the same school for about 2 1/2 years doing support work all on a supply rate - when I started it was through the government one to one scheme and paid as such and when that finished they kept me on in the same job paying me a supply rate. In addition I also recently did a year of maternity cover - which was on a temporary contract- but essentially I have been doing the same job in the same place for 2 1/2 years and currently work 2 half days and 2 whole day a week paid on a hourly rate. From next year I will be taking a group of children for a session everyday as well as the individual support and will be working probably 5 mornings a week.
At the moment I am on supply terms which essentially means I don't get paid if I'm not actually teaching children, ie when I'm sick or if the children are 'busy' so I'm 'not needed'. I am flexible so I'll make up time if I'm off sick or if they need me to teach children on a different day but essentially I do the same hours every week and don't get any PPA time.
My friends who have worked in HR say that I should have rights as a permanent employee after all this time but as I am technically a supply teacher employed by the LEA I was wondering if it was different. Do I have the right to ask for a contract, I'm reluctent to if the answer will be no just because internal politics at our school are always a bit unstable and i don't want to upset things unecessarily.
TIA sorry for being a bit pathetic.

I think as a supply teacher, you don't have the rights of permanent staff.

I know if you are contracted for temporary work and are there for more than 2 years you were entitled to be made permanent if there is a position available.

I am not sure if things have changed now as many schools have been told not to give permanent contracts due to budgets. Also as you have no contract I'm not sure how it works, sorry not very helpful.

I think after 4 years of continuous service with the same employer you are entitled to have your position made permanent.

But I suspect your summer holidays might count as breaks in service, which would mean you are basically still on less than a year.

There could be an exception to that for teachers.

After 2 years of continuous service they must make you redundant if they want to let you go - they can't just get rid of you and hire somebody else to fill your role.

But again, the service has to be continuous, and I think a 6 week break would mean your service is not continuous.

Thanks for the replies it does seem to be as I thought - the real miff for me is that they have just created a new part time role for a new teacher from next year as a specialist . Since I am billed as a specialist in the school literature I'm not sure of the difference other than they already have me as I am.
So if I find another job somewhere else I can just get up and leave at a moments notice with no recourse or problems with references - as i said i love the job and need the money but it's tempting when I'm on a bad deal.