Going back to teaching but supply

[Countrywalking]

Hello,
Just a bit of context. I was a secondary school teacher and head of department in total for 9 years.
Never having a 'normal' job and wanting a change/challenge I left teaching to move to an exam board working in development/assessment.
Really enjoyed it but have always missed teaching (a lot!). I've been out of the classroom for 6 years. I just don't get satisfaction outside the classroom. I had real passion for teaching and kids learning and there is nothing like it that gives me the same sense of fulfillment. However I'm under no illusion that it can be horrific too!!

After months/years I am thinking of going back. I want to try primary teaching though.

I've signed up with a supply agency (I've never done supply) and they seem keen to get me into schools.
Now I'm aware agencies will wax lyrical to get the bucks and assure me I'll be in demand.
They've said I could go in and shadow/volunteer/TA to find my feet.
This all sounds great, in theory.

I'm just wondering how much work would actually be available? Is it possible to start off slow and gain experience and then land a job?
I'm up for the challenge, I like hard work and I'm lucky that financially I can take a hit.

Any experiences of supply would be greatly appreciated 😊

Thanks

In normal circumstances Primary supply is fairly busy, but less than it was because many schools now do short term cover with HLTAs to save money.

At the moment, I'm not sure. We certainly have no supply for normal reasons (covering teachers training, performance management, pupil progress meetings etc) because of COVID risk assessments (additional adults crossing bubbles). We haven't needed supply for ill teachers yet, but I know many schools have needed lots.

I doubt you'd currently be allowed in a school to shadow or volunteer, again because if risk assessments.

I'm sure someone currently working supply will be along soon with more information though...

I started supply last November - it was pretty hit and miss, probably 1 day a week. Since this lockdown absolutely nothing and no furlough. Thank god I started a 0.4 job this term - it's still left us fairly broke though.

Primary here- we don't use any supply any more except in exceptional circumstances. Have two full time HLTAs who cover PPA and absences and it's apparently both cheaper and a better option given the quality of a sizeable minority of the supply we were getting.

I trained in secondary but after some transition work felt I had made a mistake. Decided to try supply - many agencies will tell you what you want to hear but I found the reality different. Had to really fight for primary days and was always paid as a HLTA. I then did some time working in my specialism for one of the (many) PPA staff providers where (terrible) planning was supplied. However, this did give me experience from reception through to year 6 and made the supply agencies happier to use me. I now work in a through school and teach my specialism in nursery all the way to A level and it works for me.

Thanks everyone. This is what I expected.
There is a lot of help to get in to teaching but not much when you have had a career break.
I've spoken to a few agencies (with a pinch of salt) and it varies between we have so much work to you'll need to build up your CV etc and it'll take ages to get a gig.
I've just sent off for all my DBS checks so at least I can volunteer once schools are back and running.
I've decided to give myself a 1 to 2 year plan and start with volunteer work and perhaps get a TA role if I can in a primary school.
In the meantime I need to save money as it'll be a dip in salary.
I am expecting this will take a year or so of hard slog before I get a look in.

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences with me x