Supply Teaching

[micra]

I'm currently teaching part-time, been at same school for years, but want to change to supply teaching. Looking for advice from anyone who does it. Councils don't appear to do it anymore, just agencies - and there's loads of them, all slightly different. I'm in S Manchester area.
Anyone there can tell me which agencies they've used in the area? Which got them the most / least work? Which paid best? Which got them the most appropriate work (distance? age group? type of supply?). Any general advice or questions I've not thought of? Any advice welcome, I'm new to all this!

Not from the same area but my mum is a supply teacher so just asked her advice for you. She said to register with as many agencies as you can, and try not to turn any jobs down at first. As you get to be known as hardworking, trustworthy etc they will start to offer you the better jobs - nicer schools, more convenient etc.

Just remember you don't get anything over the hols, my mum tries to get as much as possible in the weeks leading up to end of term :)

I'd think carefully about this. a lot of schools have full time cover supervisors to do the majority of cover. when they do have to call in agency supply they often just book cover supervisors from there too...because it's much cheaper. Register now but you may not get any work until at least October. start of terms are the quietest for cover as most people are in straight after a holiday.

would you be leaving your contracted job to do this, or doing it additionally ?

I''ve been working as one for the past year. I got hardly any work. Some schools here ( (Wales) also try and save money by employing what they call "cover supervisors" at a lesser rate of pay. I had to get a new Crb check every six months, at a cost of forty odd pounds. I also had to register with the General Teaching Council in Wales, which cost ninety pounds I think.

It simply was't worth it for me. Most of the work was poor quality, and quite often not even a whole day, which was paid pro-rata.

Sorry to be negative. When I started as a teacher many moons ago I was earning really good money and in work all the time, and I could pick and choose. Everything was via the LEA at the time though, which I think is why things have changed.

Good luck. I hope your experience is more fruitful than mine!

Thanks for all your replies, along with other info I've been told, it's helping me build a realistic picture and at least if I go ahead I'll be doing it with my eyes wide open!
any more replies still welcomed...