Supply agencies

[phlebasconsidered]

Now, I'm guessing that you won't be allowed to name any on here, but as someone who is NOT staying FT or in the school system from the end of July (YAAAAAY!!! WoooHOOOO!), I would really appreciate any hints and tips as to good / bad agencies, and how to sort pensions and so on. I am hoping for 3-4 days per week supply, but really mostly hoping for my life back. Thanks!

I've heard most agency supply cover is paid at cover supervisor rate these days as there are so many people doing it now. Depends on what area you are in? Near me schools just use CS now.

I'm very rural so my area would be wide. And at the school i'm currently in, they had to advertise far and wide for NQT's to even take up the posts. The demand is there. The supply teacher that was in today was getting 150 per day, and that's primary. I can do both, having taught in both.

For me, it's about having a life again, a weekend. Seeing my kids again. I'm sick of never seeing them. The pay cut I can manage. I downsized to have them and stop work. I went back, it's been utterly awful. We'll manage on 3-4 days a week. I just want to spend time with them at weekends!

Well, I left my job (English Teacher) at Easter and am doing supply, which I am genuinely really enjoying. It is a complete and utter revelation to have my life back.
I went with an agency that a couple of local supply teachers recommended to me - do some asking around and see which agency the schools near you actually use. I get £125 (equivalent to M1 I think) a day, which I feel is perfectly fair seeing as I'm not required to do any planning or marking, get to eat my lunch in peace, leave just after the bell...etc.
The main downside is that, obviously, there is no guarantee of work - so far I have had between 1 - 4 days a week. I set myself the aim of doing 10 days per month and I've hit exactly that. Having said that I have turned down a couple of longer term placements as I don't want to be full-time and want the flexibility of day to day. Also, remember to factor in holidays, the week following holidays and Sep/Oct, when I'm told there is virtually no work. Good luck though - it is working for us.

I think it is a good idea just wanted to warn you that in many areas the rates have decreased loads. The TES supply teaching forums often have recs for agencies on there too.
If you posted your area people local to you may be able to help.

Word of mouth is the best way to get supply in my experience. I would join more than one agency as well if I were you. I would recommend Randstad but I expect individual branches are variable depending who works in them. Ask local supply teachers which agencies they'd recommend in your area. Good luck! I loved supply and I loved working part - time!

At the moment I do not work for an agency. When I took early retirement 2 years ago I wrote to all the local schools introducing myself and including a standard application form from the local county website. A few schools followed it up and I work there a couple of days a month for a much higher daily rate than agencies pay. Most local schools, however, do use agencies.
Of course, I am very aware that this could all change due to the new pay and conditions.

Just would add though, if you need more frequent and regular work, you
probably do need to join an agency. Have a look at your county website, there may be approved agencies listed.

I've asked all the supply staff i've come across recently and they all recommend one or two agancies, and tell me to stay away from one other. I suppose all i've got to do now is stump up for plentiful CRB/ whatever they're called this week. And get my Bag of Supply ready for September.

Sadly you won't ever open your supply bag, you have to follow the"plan". Unless you "can't find it"......... And have to do exciting fun things instead!