CANDIDATES

Supply Teaching

Supply Teachers play a crucial role in every school, covering for teachers who are ill, absent or on training courses. Whilst the role of a supply teacher is hard work it can be a very rewarding and satisfying teaching job. Many teachers are leaving permanent jobs to do supply teaching as a flexible alterntive. On top of this, teachers with extra responsibilities in schools are finding that supply teaching gives them a chance to concentrate on what they love - teaching!

Make sure you take care over the education recruitment agency you choose to work with. They must be credible, have enough teaching jobs to keep you busy and should offer teacher training so you can continually develop your skills. 

 

Supply Teaching Benefits

  • Concentrate on what matters, the teaching

Being a supply teacher enables you to actually enjoy teaching without having to do the excessive burden of paperwork and administration involved with the profession. Your workload and responsibilities are reduced so you get more flexible hours and you can concentrate on what matters, planning and preparing lessons effectively and teaching the pupils with as much passion as possible. 

  • Giving teachers a breather

Switching to supply teaching can also be a great way to avoid burn out and give you the opportunity to decide if teaching is still the career for you. If you later decide to return to a permanent contract you’ll have teaching experience from a wide range of schools, this is attractive to prospective schools and colleges.  Some teachers that are looking to retire use supply teaching as a way to slow down with the benefit of work-life balance and part-time flexible hours. 

  • Teaching Continuity

All schools get staff shortages and the number of pupils that need teaching are rising.  There will always be a requirement for supply teachers. Whether you are looking for day to day supply teaching or want a longer term contract before taking on a permanent work there is plenty of teaching opportunities available for you. 

 

Supply Teaching Difficulties

Schools that have pupils with challenging and energetic behaviour tend to use more supply teachers, so naturally you will need to have the skills to teach in a challenging and sometimes stressful school environment. These skills will develop over time for less experienced teachers and your consultant will work with you to ensure that you are placed in to schools that suit your teaching style and skills. 

There are some key issues that supply teachers encounter when teaching in a new school for the first time:

  • A lack of knowledge of the school’s behaviour policy, making it difficult to discipline pupils

  • Limited information on pupils that you will be teaching

  • Unable to follow up any work that you have set

  • Some teachers struggle to pick up on ‘staffroom politics’ and the ‘way things are done’

 

Tips on working with supply teaching agencies

It is really important that supply teachers work for a supply teaching agency that offers teacher training so that you can overcome any difficulties that you have. When working as a supply teacher the benefits clearly way out the negatives. Once you know what difficulties can arise you can over come them with the help and support from your consultant. 

The most important thing to do is communicate with people. Find out what the behaviour policies are, the more information about the pupils you will be teaching with the better. Also become friendly with some permanent staff who can show you the ropes around the school. Its all about being personable so that you can get the support you need. 

 

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posted by Aspire People
Mon 25 July 2011


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TESTIMONIALS

Aspire People have found me ongoing work and a longer term placement

I have been working for Aspire since November 2012 when I was recruited by Mark. At that time Mark indicated that he was confident he could find me work and this has proved to be the case.
He has found me ongoing weekly work and also a longer term placement. Mark has communicated with me on a regular basis and has provided feedback from assignments. Based on my experience, I have recommended Aspire to colleagues.


Jo, Primary Teacher, Birmingham

“The documentation on supply staff is the best I have received”

I was impressed with the quality of presentation that my consultant made to me in July, it was following this that I chose to book staff from Aspire People in September.  The documentation provided to me about supply staff is the best I have received, providing all the information required clearly.  The quality of staff sent to me has been very high and the one very slight problem I had (late arrival of a supply teacher) was dealt with by him straight away. One of the many qualities that I like about Aspire People is their honesty.


Mrs. Beverley, The Grove School

“A consistently friendly service from Aspire People and our Consultant”

Aspire People offer a very efficient and friendly service.  All their consultants are highly professional and the company is able to consistently deliver high quality supply staff


Mrs Hanks, Newhall Primary School

I rejoined Aspire as a supply teacher after my PGCE, I am still working with them now

After graduating from university with sports science I started working for Aspire as a girls PE supply teacher I found them very helpful and they always managed to get me regular work. The work I got from them helped me to gain enough experience to get on a PGCE course. I rejoined Aspire as a supply teacher after my PGCE as an NQT and am still with them now. They are very friendly and reliable.


Christa, PE Supply Teacher, Warwickshire

“Find an agency that listens to what your school needs, like Aspire People”

Find a recruitment agency that will take the time to meet with you and actually listen to what your school needs.  Show them around and let them get a feel for the kinds of pupils within the school. This way your consultant will have a great chance of matching the right candidates to your school. You can build trust up with the agency and in the end save so much time and money.  Some years ago, Shenley Academy’s predecessor school had a poor reputation among supply staff. When ever Aspire People send a candidate to us, they love their day, if there is ever any negative feedback I always act upon it.  Now they all say they would be happy to come back to Shenley Academy and nothing makes me prouder.


Mrs. Bain, Information Services Manager, Shenley Academy

“I have had nothing but first rate service from Aspire People”

“Since I first started working with Aspire People and my consultant Adam, I have had nothing but first rate service.  I have found them to be assiduous in finding work placements, and supportive once on placement in all ways. I have been so impressed I recommended a friend. Adam is a great guy and I really cannot praise him too highly.”


Mr. Fisher, Nottingham English Supply Teacher

If it wasn’t for Aspire I don’t think I’d be completing my NQT induction

I am now completing my NQT year with a school I was introduced to through Aspire.  Mark offered me to do a placement at the school, and this led to the school offering me a position.  Had it not have been for Aspire, I don’t think I’d be completing my NQT year this year.  I’d definitely recommend Aspire to other NQTs looking for permanent work.


Yasmin, Primary NQT, Birmingham

I was very wary and nervous at the start, but my first day of work was great!

I worked with Aspire a few months,  I found it difficult securing a full time position and supply was recommended to me.  Like everyone who goes in for supply I was very wary and nervous at the start, but my first day of work was great!


Shahida

Emily, always happy on the phone, helping with any queries, nothing ever feels like too much trouble

During my time working for Aspire I have found them to be a very friendly and reliable. My consultant Emily does her best to make sure that I have a steady flow of work. Her attention to detail is excellent and the information she provides enables me know exactly where i’m going and what I am going to do. Emily communicates in a very professional manner whilst also allowing for a more relaxed, personal touch. Always happy on the phone, helping with any queries, nothing ever feels like its too much trouble for her. I have no issues, she is a pleasure to work with.


Adam, Cover Supervisor, Cannock

“Aspire People’s Work Experience programme taught our pupils about the working world”

Aspire People organised a Work Experience programme for Plantsbrook School. This was a major commitment by Aspire People and the students found the experience very beneficial. It gave them the opportunity to understand commitments of a working environment and develop skills in communication and organisation. We look forward to working with them again.


Mrs. S Westwood, Business Manager, Plantsbrook School

I was very wary and nervous at the start, but my first day of work was great!

I worked with Aspire a few months, after graduating as a teacher.  I found it difficult securing a full time position and supply was recommended to me.  Like everyone who goes in for supply I was very wary and nervous at the start, but my first day of work was great!


Shahida, Primary NQT, Birmingham

“I’m always paid on time and any queries are dealt with efficiently”

The Payroll department at Aspire People is really efficient. I’m always paid on time, any queries I do have are dealt with efficiently and quickly. The staff are friendly
and respond to emails or texts without delay.  From my point of view Aspire People is an excellent agency to work for.


Helen, Secondary Teacher

“A faster, more friendly agency”

I registered with Aspire People on 27th September and within 7 working days my vetting checks had been completed and I was placed in to a school.
The application process was informative yet friendly and relaxed. Other agencies I registered with were not as friendly and made me feel nervous and unwelcome. I get on really well with my consultant, Kelly. Overall Aspire People is friendly, helpful and professional.


Valarie

“I am an ambassador for Aspire People”

My consultant has found me work every day which has led to some wonderful long term assignments.  When I am sent to an assignment I feel as if I am visiting the school as an ambassador for Aspire People and I am proud to work for what I feel is by far the best teaching agency in the West Midlands.


Lucy

Holyhead have used Aspire People’s services since 2011, I have no hesitation in recommending them”

Holyhead had previously not used agencies, as a last resort I approached Aspire People when looking for a DT Technician.  Kelly ensured the candidate met all of our needs (of which there were many) and had undergone the safeguarding checks. We have been so impressed by the quality and efficiency of service provided by Aspire People that we now contact them in the first instance regarding any vacancy.  If the candidate proves to be suitable then we employ them ourselves. If you are looking for an honest, efficient, quality provider of education staff, look no further than Aspire People.


Marie Shiels, Business Manager, Holyhead Secondary School

“A friendly and reassuring communication motivates me to do my best”

Adam Cox has been my consultant at since September 2013. His friendly and reassuring communication keeps me inspired and motivated to do my best at my assignments.  I get regular assignments almost every week and I cannot recommend him enough for his efficiency and skill as a consultant. His professional and courteous interaction and commitment towards me and other cover supervisors in Nottingham is evident. I find him extremely professional, efficient and consistent in his role and it’s a privilege to work for Aspire People.


Mrs. Mayer, Nottingham Cover Supervisor