If you’ve been working full-time in education for a few years you’ll know that it can be a very rewarding career, yet it comes with increasing challenges, especially over the last two years due to the pandemic. And unfortunately, The Guardian survey found that many educators are leaving or thinking about leaving the sector because of it.

Here at Vision for Education, we talk to teachers and support staff every day, and when they aren’t sure whether they want to stay working in education we always talk to them about alternative options and ask them this question: “Have you thought about making a career out of supply work instead?”.

By considering a career in supply work, you can continue to work in education, but with a better work-life balance and more choice to rediscover your love for your vocation. It still comes with it's challenges, but there are many benefits to working on supply, for example:

• You can work the hours you want

Being able to flex the hours you work up or down gives you freedom and flexibility. You can decide what days you work depending on your other commitments that week. If you are thinking about retiring or want to get back into the profession and want to work every day or just one day a week, it’s completely your choice.

• Variety is the spice of life

Working in a different school every day will give you a variety of experiences that will develop your skill set. You’ll be able to grow your network by meeting other education professionals and learn about other areas you may not have had the opportunity before. 

• Opportunities to learn

As a supply teacher with us, you’ll get CPD opportunities, so you can keep your knowledge up-to-date and learn new skills.

So, how do you make the change and start working on supply? Can anyone do it? And what is required? To start with, here are a few things you might need:

• The right qualifications and experience

To be a supply teacher you’ll need to have QTS/QTLS and teaching experience, and to work in an education support role, we look for relevant work experience and for some roles certain qualifications. To find out what qualifications and experience you’ll need for the roles you are looking for, contact your local branch and one of our friendly consultants will be able to help guide you.

• The right agency

A supply agency will be able to find you work in all sorts of schools and settings. Take a look at our guides on How to choose a recruitment agency and 3 key questions to ask your education recruitment agency, to make sure you find the right one for you.

• Excellent communication skills 

Working on supply works best when you are clear about your availability with your agency. Ensuring that they know when you can work and when you can’t means you’ll get work at the right times for you.

So why not ask yourself the question today: “Have you thought about making a career out of supply work instead?”. Give us a call today to give supply a shot and see if it's the career for you.