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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Supply, any advice?

12 replies

Callardandbowser · 22/09/2020 14:24

Hi 👋 I’m about to sign up to a supply agency to do Mon-Weds from January onwards (I work PT in a primary school Thurs/Fri)
I’ve got the childcare sorted, DH can change his hours to fit in etc but I’m still wondering a few things...
-Is £120 a day reasonable or too little (it’s what they offered me)
-Is there anything I need to look out for? I am going to insist on PAYE rather than an umbrella scheme, does this mean my NI/ Tax contributions and pension will automatically be deducted?
Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Enoughnowstop · 22/09/2020 20:19

£120 is M1 and probably a good rate for day to day. If you do a longer term role, you can ask to be paid to scale after 12 weeks but you will be lucky to get to higher than M6.

Yes, PAYE means all your deductions will be made. Some will deduct holiday pay which you can request back at any point (not just holidays). Do be aware that agencies often run their years from Jan - Dec or more often March - Feb and you need to claim your holiday pay within the year it was earned or it disappears into the ether.

Callardandbowser · 23/09/2020 08:49

Thank you so much, that’s great news.
I’m glad that the agency I‘ve gone with only do PAYE anyway so that’s a bonus.
I am concerned that there might not be much work in January after the Xmas break but maybe there will be because of the self isolating rules.
Thanks again.

OP posts:
Enoughnowstop · 23/09/2020 11:00

It is generally quiet the first week after holidays. However, unprecedented times and all that.....

Augustbreeze · 23/09/2020 20:46

I'm sorry to raise this, but think it's kinder to at this point: have you considered that schools might be closed in Jan, presuming infection rates keep rising and staff self isolating means there just may not be enough to keep a school open?

Are you secondary or primary?

Augustbreeze · 23/09/2020 20:48

Sorry I see you said your other job was primary, so I presume you're primary. Smaller schools (ie primary) would more quickly reach the "not enough staff" point. OTOH the government says they would be the last thing to close. 🤷🏻‍♀️

RoseGold7 · 11/10/2020 17:23

I’m a primary NQT on supply. I’ve been quoted £85 for day to day supply. Not happy Sad

TheHoneyBadger · 13/10/2020 18:28

Just check how much they charge for the privilege of them doing paye. I did supply teaching for a while at £130 a day (day to day cover) and was a ltd company as I didn't want an umbrella company taking a cut and owning my details.

Then they banned public sector freelancers from being paid as a ltd company and my agency wanted £18 a day for the privilege of administrating my pay (given they were making £60 per day for taking a phone call from one of the schools that would specifically requesting me and making a phone call to me to tell me I felt it was beyond a pisstake to then want to charge £18 a day for paying me.

In terms of how to cope with the actual work I'd say remember that whatever happens come end of day you can walk out and not take anything with you or have to think about eg. seeing that class again next every tuesday period 5 for the rest of the year.

Practice entering a fully 'zen' state of unruffleableness (made up word obviously) and letting things flow over you. Make sure you know the schools behaviour system and be endlessly positive and resilient and don't let things get to you.

If you don't like a school because of how the staff treat you or don't provide proper cover etc don't go back. The schools you do like make a point of building relationships with key people. I used to get offered permanent jobs or long term supply a lot but I knew I only wanted to be part time so held my ground and didn't allow myself to be sweet talked into nightmares.

Stick to day to day if you can get enough - longer term placements in cheap/mean schools will see you doing a ton of work you're not paid for and more hours than they agreed to with the agency. Day to day means no marking, no taking home stress and worries and so long as you have reasonable classroom management and are not the explosive type you'll be fine.

Sorry if that's jumbled or too much - head scattered after too much marking in one sitting. Good luck

TheHoneyBadger · 13/10/2020 18:32

Oh and be prepared to meet some very strange people on the supply scene. You'll meet the odd one who has a legitimate reason for being supply and in good mental health but you'll also meet a lot of really strange, inappropriate, odd, etc people who you'll not be surprised can't get a permanent post. The good thing is they'll make you look great and the schools happy to see you Grin

monkeysox · 14/10/2020 03:47

Depends where you are. I did supply four years ago. Rate day to day was 140 pounds. NE

Callardandbowser · 14/10/2020 12:44

@ TheHoneyBadger that made me laugh out loud!

OP posts:
Callardandbowser · 14/10/2020 12:45

Thank you so much @TheHoneyBadger that’s really helpful!

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 14/10/2020 17:30

Glad it helps. Good luck

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