Supply Desk has been supporting Early Career Teachers/Newly Qualified Teachers for many years and continues to provide essential advice, encouragement, and options to our ECTs/NQTs. We specialise in placing you into the right schools, whether it be for permanent, long-term, or supply teaching roles, by getting to know you and your preferences.
We understand that ECTs/NQTs (both BA QTS and PGCE qualified) can often feel reluctant to apply for permanent jobs in an unfamiliar school. Through our experience, many ECTs prefer to hear about day-to-day or short-term contracts in the first year or longer, so that they can build up their experience within local schools without a permanent commitment.
Increasing opportunities for flexible working may have a huge role in retaining ECTs/NQTs in the profession, which is why supply teaching is a favourable route to take. Many find that the variety of working within different schools allows them the freedom to experience different SLT styles, pupil needs, and cultures. This provides them with the time to shortlist which schools they would be well suited to a permanent role in, should the opportunity arise.
Whatever your preference, it is important to know that Supply Desk can provide you with options.
Supply Work
- Builds on your experience within different school settings and with different pupils
- Allows you to test the landscape by assessing the schools and the culture fit without a long-term commitment
- Undertake a variety of roles (many exclusive) to build upon your confidence
- Offers a great degree of flexibility – you decide when to work and where
Long-Term Roles
- Gauge if the school is the right fit for you – allowing you time to settle into the environment without a permanent commitment
- Gain valuable references
- Receive a regular and reliable income
- Suitable positions could count towards your induction
Don’t feel quite ready to commence a teaching role?
A favourable route into teaching for many Early Career Teachers who wish to gain more classroom experience is to undertake teaching support roles (either on a supply or longer-term basis), such as Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), Teaching Assistant (TA), Cover Supervisor, and SEN (Special Educational Needs) support roles. This enables you to build upon your existing knowledge, gain hands-on experience in the classroom and act, once you are comfortable, as a stepping stone to securing a permanent teaching position. We are also finding that many final-year students are keen to take on support roles on a day-to-day basis to add to their portfolio of experience.
Due to the excellent relationships we have built with our schools, Supply Desk often deal with opportunities on an exclusive basis. For example, to cover last-minute short and long-term sickness that will not be advertised externally. Register your details today and a consultant from your local team will be in touch with you soon to discuss your options.
For more information about the support we can offer to you, the options you have available and advice/resources about preparing for an excelling in the interview process, please find below a helpful Early Career Teachers/Newly Qualified Teachers support pack free to download.