For some teachers supply teaching is only considered if a contracted teaching job can’t be found or if you need your job to fit in with family commitments but there are a growing number of teachers in the primary and secondary sector that are actively seeking supply work as there are a good many benefits to this far more casual way of working.

An initial choice will need to be made as to whether you seek work through one of the teaching agencies or whether you are going to source supply teaching posts independently. Many local authorities will only accept supply teachers who are signed up to an agency, but sometimes smaller schools are more flexible in their approach. Agency work may result in slightly less pay but you may be guaranteed regular work if you want it.

One of the main advantages of supply teaching is that you are in control of the days that you are available for work so for instance it enables you to fit in hobbies or holidays to suit you and your family. This is a major factor in the growing popularity of supply teaching as an employment choice as a contracted teaching job is very inflexible in this regard.