Supply teaching tips

[JemIsMyNameNooneElseIsTheSame]

I've had a year off teaching to start my own business and although it's doing well, I'm going to add in some day to day supply to take the financial pressure off a bit. I've never done supply, but have 15+ years' experience teaching English in Secondary schools. Feeling very rusty though and want to head back to the classroom as prepared as possible. Any tips most gratefully received!

• counter intuitive but keep the door open. Really exposes poor behaviour and SLT will intervene when wandering up the corridor.
• register with ALL the agencies as some will never come through with work. In thee early days, you may need to be proactive and keep reminding them you exist.
• carry your own board pens, rubber, pens, ruler etc. If children want to borrow a pen, they give you their phone. Stops you losing them and it amuses the kids and shows them you know what you’re doing.
• page a day diary and keep a note of where you worked and who for. Note name and room no. of helpful staff, quirks of room numbering, timing of the day, location of staff room and staff toilets. Useful if you end up back there - you soon forget if at a different school everyday.
• carry A4 lined paper in case you need to take a register. Not all schools will give you SIMs access.
• have your own covered cup. I find all in one coffee sachets work for me. No hassle, no need to have spare cash in schools where you need to pay. Always take your lunch as so many schools are now totally cashless.
• I find a ‘right, here’s your work, there’s 50 questions so your minimum requirement is 25 by X time. Have a chat with your friend but make it clear you are working’ approach is manageable. They accept it and get on without making a fuss. I often challenge them to beating me to do a worksheet in lessons like maths and they usually win!
• if offered a choice, pick the timetable of an IT/art/DT teacher as they tend to use computers for cover. Computer cover lessons are the least hassle possible!

I love supply but you need a thick skin and endless patience!