Stay as long term supply and be happier or go back into permanent teaching and maybe find the right school? Worried about my career?

[Se12345]

I’m not sure how likely I am to find a permanent job while supplying. I know it does happen but I’ve been to a couple schools now in the past year and haven’t been taken on perm, schools don’t really have the budget to take you off an agency.

Also a bit of back story:

I'll give a bit of a background story so it makes sense. So l've had a bad experience so far. 2 ECT years that sucked and I was based in EYFS which I love but had horrible EYFS leads at both. Almost put me off teaching. Then I landed a perm job 2023 September... a mixed year 1 and 2 class. Which turned into hell 1/2 months in. I was given a horrible class compared to other experienced teachers. I was drowning in workload also, there was no support or understanding. So I resigned February
2024. Since then l've been supplying - mainly long term, until this half term where l'm hating and doing daily supply. April onwards I have another long term job. Long term jobs pay to scale but I'm basically like a perm teacher without the perks. The good thing is I can leave I don't have to resign and then there will be another job.
My dilemma is do I go for a perm job for September? I've had such bad experience that i almost don't believe I will find the right school.
Some long term roles l've been in, there's been a mixture. Some were good and some bad but I was able to just say - I'm leaving at Christmas.
I am debating if I should continue supplying for another year until I also finish my msc psychology then maybe go perm once my mind is more clear.
Right now I don't know what the right choice is?

I am going to be very blunt in my post but I don't want you to think I'm being rude on purpose, I just think you have a lot to consider.

You have posted a lot recently in this section, which isn't a bad thing, we are here to help, but I get the impression you don't know really what you want and you are not really in tune with the pressures and normal day-to-day life of a school. I feel you want to go into a permanent position but can't accept that it does come with a larger workload, marking, planning, probably unpaid subject leadership, accountability of student attainment. I saw from your other post you will be M5 in the next academic year- at that stage of my career I was heading a department, line managing several staff, and completely self-sufficient in my day-to-day role, whereas you seem to lack self confidence in your ability to lead a year in a tiny school.

I also think it's a shame if you had so many negative experiences: the staff were horrible they class were horrible, it just seems like you are able to find fault in everyone else, but were you reflecting on your own practice and considering why the children were 'horrible'? Did you ask for support?

Teaching is a hard job. It's rewarding and I love it. But it's tough, you need to be resilient and be open to feedback, and be prepared to deal with difficult people (staff, parents, children) because that is part and parcel of being in a public facing role. Your line manager should have your back, but they can't control the behaviour of others so it will happen.

In your shoes, I'd continue doing supply for a while longer and considering where you stand in another 6 months time.

I’m in a similar position. I’ve been asked to apply for a permanent role. It’s balancing job security with the extra responsibilities.

I agree with you that long term supply is like being permanent without the perks but I have tended not to have tutor groups.

I think you should be brave and apply for permanent roles in September. But don’t take it too personally if you don’t get anything. - you can always continue with Supply.

With a permanent role you would have to give more notice if you leave. But as you’ve been doing long term Supply you’re used to being committed.

With a permanent role under your belt it would be easier to obtain other permanent roles after a year or two.

I suspect you are a lot younger than me. If I had my time again I would have a 5 year Plan B and C lined up. Start training in another skill. If you haven’t got a permanent teaching role by then you’ll have the skills to change career. Being on Supply year in year out creates an unfavourable impression on schools and the regular undermining within schools can affect your self-confidence. (Regular permanent teachers, please feel to object that you always have the utmost respect for us…I know I did when I wasn’t a permanent teacher in the days before Cover Supervisors and agencies))

I can’t recall your previous posts offhand so I don’t know if WibblyWobblylane has a point. What I do know is long term Supply is very demanding in its own way and it does have an effect on your morale.

Go for jobs in September. Re skill methodically over the next few years. Be ruthless in the assignments you accept if you have a specialism. It will mean less work in the short term but will help your career in the long run

Good luck