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Supply teaching - the benefits and the misconceptions | Class People

Supply teaching - the benefits and the misconceptions

Supply teaching - the benefits and misconceptions

As any of our consultants here at Class People will tell you, teaching is a fantastic career pursuit, with so many wonderful benefits. And one of those benefits is that you can choose from a multitude of different teaching avenues, whether that’s in primary or secondary schools, mainstream or SEN, or as a full-time teacher or supply teacher. Making the decision between full time teaching or supply teaching is a particularly interesting choice to face, and could occur for a variety of different reasons; whether you’ve worked in full time teaching for a while and are approaching retirement, whether your considering the impact the work might have on your physical and/or mental health, whether you have personal commitments or hobbies (one of the most quoted reasons we hear from our clients who have taken on supply teaching in Bristol is that they wanted to have more time to enjoy the social opportunities the city has on offer), or another reason entirely.

Of course, making the decision between teaching full time and supply teaching is not as simple as waving a magic wand, and takes some weighing-up. So, as a recruitment agency specialising in supply teaching, we’ve outlined the benefits of supply teaching and clarified on some of the misconceptions you may have come across in your deliberations to make the decision easier for you!

 
The benefits:
 
Flexibility
 
One of the main reasons full time teachers choose to go into supply teaching is the flexibility it provides. Unlike full time teachers, supply teachers can take time off during the school term (which instantly makes going on holiday a lot cheaper!), and you can also choose to work the hours that suit you best. For example, if you have children or have another part time job, you can arrange your teaching hours around this. If you’re looking to retire, supply teaching can be a great way to wind your hours down whilst still being able to enjoy the parts of teaching that you love. Last year, the British Journal of Educational Studies found that 75% of teachers left their full time positions to seek a better work-life balance – which supply teaching can offer, without you needing to give up the reasons you chose to be a teacher in the first place (as the British Journal found: to make a difference at 69%, to work with young people at 64%, and for the love of their subject at 50%).
 
 supply teaching Bristol
 
Variety is the spice of life
 
As a supply teacher, you may end up working in lots of different schools, meaning no two teaching days will ever be the same. What’s more, supply teaching in Bristol is increasingly popular due to the number of amazing schools they have available to teach in!
 
Less pressure
 
Currently, workload volume accounts for 71% of full-time teachers leaving the profession. As a supply teacher, you won’t be required to spend your time planning lessons or to take work home with you. You also won’t be required to attend meetings or parents’ evenings or mark your pupils’ work, which means that you can focus wholly on simply teaching!
 
Networking
 
By working in a variety of different schools, you’ll have the opportunity to meet lots of different education experts and subsequently learn a variety of new teaching skills and techniques. Also, if you make a good impression in all your schools, you’re likely to be remembered and maybe even recommended for more teaching opportunities!
 
The misconceptions:
 
Limited rapport building
 
Part of the success found in teaching is by building strong rapport with pupils, and unfortunately, flexibility as a supply teacher can mean sacrificing this, as you’re unlikely to have regular contact with them, perhaps not even seeing certain classes from one month to the next. However, that’s not to say that it is impossible. In fact, the late supply teacher Mr Shaffi of  St Bede's and St Joseph's Catholic College has been remembered fondly as “more than just a supply teacher” for the rapport he built and impact he had on his pupils. What’s more, agencies like Class People try to ensure that rapport building is made easier between supply teachers and pupils by sending these supply teachers to the same school consistently.
 
Lack of social opportunities
 
Similarly, as you’re not as likely to have the chance to interact with other teaching staff as a supply teacher, you may feel that your opportunities to forge friendships and attend social gatherings will be limited. However, if you take on supply teaching in Bristol or a similarly vibrant city, there will be a multitude of other social opportunities open to you - and part of the joy of working with Class People is the social opportunities we provide as part of the roles we offer!
 
Irregular/last-minute work
 
Full-time teachers, although undeniably busy, have the comfort and security of a set timetable and working hours. Many teachers also find this helpful when planning other aspects of their lives around their work. As a supply teacher, you may have weeks where your attendance is requested or cancelled at the last minute, which can interfere with plans you make around your work. However, this can be eradicated with the help of someone like Class People, who can supply you with as much or little work as you need. And of course, you can turn down any work you are offered as a supply teacher should you wish!
 
Financial insecurity
 
As a full-time teacher, you are guaranteed a paycheque at the end of every month and receive statutory sick pay. As a supply teacher, you might be under the impression that you won’t be as well paid as if you would in a full time role; however, as a supply teacher with an agency like Class People, you will be very well paid for each hour you do work, at very competitive rates!
 
Less CPD opportunities and support
 
CPD is absolutely vital to ensure that your teaching standards remain high; however, as a supply teacher, you might worry that you won’t be offered any training or additional support. However, because your hours can be as flexible as you want them to be, you’ll have the freedom to attend as many courses as you like! What’s more, agencies like Class People do actually offer regular CPD opportunities to their supply teachers.
 
And finally...
 
Probably the worst misconception about supply teaching, but absolutely untrue: that supply teachers aren’t “real teachers.” It’s always worth remembering however that the purpose of supply teaching is to cover permanent teachers when they are sick or otherwise absent – not an easy feat, especially with current teacher retention rates, and therefore one that is very much appreciated by schools - and, of course, by us at Class People!
 
So, is supply teaching the right path for you?
 
Ultimately, the decision is down to you! The good news is that the supply teaching roles in Bristol and other places around the country that we offer at Class People eradicate most of the misconceptions listed above; for example, we offer fantastic rates of pay for supply teachers, regular support from a dedicated consultant so you can access as much or little work as you like, frequent opportunities to socialise and much more! If you’re considering the switch to supply teaching, be sure to read our informative free download Thinking Of Making The Move Into Supply Teaching?, and do not hesitate to contact us for more information or to discuss your next career move.
 
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Filed under
Blog
Date published
Date modified
26/10/2023
Author
Class People
Class People