Are you looking for a change? We share 5 reasons why long term supply teaching can give you the best of both worlds.
If you are currently a permanent teacher, the idea of relinquishing the security of a guaranteed paycheck and predictable routine might sound daunting, however, switching to supply teaching on a long term basis can offer a flexible alternative and put you in control. If you are looking for ways to improve your career wellbeing this year, taking the plunge into long term supply work could be how to embrace new experiences without losing the assurance of your career stability.
The chance of securing a long term placement is increasing. NAHT (2015) reported that 20% of teaching vacancies remain unfilled and in 2016, £1.3m was spent by schools on supply staff to fill the gaps. With 37% of schools nationally facing a teacher shortage, more are turning to long term supply contracts to place good quality professionals in the classroom quickly whist still providing the children with the continuity they need to thrive.
Live to learn
Take the chance to learn from professionals with different specialities. Supply teaching is a great way of getting thoroughly involved in other schools’ cultures and practices without either the initial recruitment process or the long term commitment.
Freedom for study, renovate or travel
If you want to go abroad or dedicate time to another project this year, long term supply contracts are a way of securing several months of work with a mutually agreed end date. If you can’t give a full academic year, long term supply placements allow you to commit to a rolling timescale or pre-agreed duration without letting anyone down.
Enhanced benefits
Under UK law, as part of the Agency Workers Regulations, teachers working on long term supply placements with the same school or employer for twelve continuous calendar weeks, become entitled to the same pay and working conditions as a comparable as if the role was recruited permanently. Although this excludes sick pay, maternity leave and pension rights. The supply agency will provide you with terms and conditions before you start.
Weekly PAYE Pay
As with short term supply teaching, pay is credited to your account weekly. Eteach pays supply teachers on a PAYE basis so your tax is taken care of.
Make friends!
Supply teaching is a great way to network with other great minds in the teaching industry and working with them long term allows you to form deeper relationships with experienced practitioners with whom you can share ideas for years to come. Furthermore, if you turn out to be a fantastic fit for the school, you might be offered a permanent position once your contract has come to an end.
If you think you might be at the right point in your teaching career to try something new, please do call our supply teaching team on 01276 674 150 for a commitment-free chat about your situation. We’d love to hear from you!
About the author
Katie Newell
Katie Newell BA(Hons) PGCE is an ex-primary school teacher, Head of Maths, Head of Year five and languages specialist. Katie qualified in Psychology at Liverpool then specialised in Primary Languages for her PGCE at Reading. Katie feels passionately that teachers are the unsung heroes of society; that opening minds to creative timetabling could revolutionise keeping women in teaching, and that a total change to pupil feedback is the key to solving the work life balance issue for the best job in the world.