Author Archives: Sharon Wood

About Sharon Wood

Sharon Wood, aka NuttySupplier, launched the forum at SupplyBag.co.uk in 2005 whilst on supply. Having worked as a primary teacher for too many years, I chose supply teaching as a career, in order to achieve a good work / life balance.

justteachers – join a top rated supply teaching agency today

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justteachers - Teaching jobs available throughout the UK, join a top rated supply teaching agency today

Head Office,
High Corn Mill,
Chapel Hill,
Skipton, N Yorks
BD23 1NL

Call us: 0800 832 243

https://www.justteachers.co.uk/jobs

With the number of teaching graduates dropping, it is unsurprising that academies and schools are turning to education supply teaching agencies to help fill the gap. With over 500 teaching agencies across the UK, how can you ensure you choose the best agency for you?

Here are four questions we think you should ask a teaching agency before making the decision:

Does the teaching agency pay you fairly and on time?

Many teachers are now turning to a teaching agency because of a lifestyle choice but you still want your past experience to be acknowledged. However, pay rates can vary greatly between education agencies. Agencies that want to attract outstanding teachers to supply to their schools will pay you in line with your experience because they want you to deliver outstanding lessons and, in turn, be requested back by the school. Be aware of agencies that just want to fill positions with paying little attention to your specified subject or age range experiences. It makes little sense to register with a teaching agency where you are not paid fairly and not paid on time.

Does the teaching agency comply with the Agency Workers Regulations?

When choosing a teaching agency, make sure you pick one that is Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) compliant; this ensures that if you are in a teaching position for twelve weeks or more you are entitled to be paid as if you were employed directly by the school, often referred to as “paid to scale”. The Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) was introduced in 2011, with its main aim to introduce equal treatment for agency workers. Although all teaching agencies should adhere to the legislation, not all do, and if you are placed in a long term supply position you could be losing out on a lot of money.

Does the agency charge restrictive temp to perm fees?

Supply teaching is a great opportunity to work in a number of different schools or academies and to get a number of different teaching opportunities, experience and skills, which pupils will benefit from. Often if you are successful in a supply position the Head or Principle will offer you a permanent place at their school or academy. Some teaching agencies may try to hinder the recruitment cycle by seeking to charge an extortionate temp to perm fee. A good teaching agency has both the interests of you and the schools at heart. Some solutions include a transitional period once the school has stated they would like to offer you a permanent role after the initial supply job. An added benefit to this solution is that it gives you the time to see if the job role and the school or academy is right for you, and after an agreed time you can simply transfer to the school on a permanent basis.

Does the teaching agency supply teachers to schools or academies where you want to teach?

Sounds obvious, but with a lack of available teachers, supply agencies are ramping up their marketing budgets to attract teachers to register. The most common and effective candidate attraction tool aside from an agencies website is to use Google Adwords and in turn creating “pay per click” adverts that are generated from the words you enter in to your Google search, resulting those agencies appear further up the page. However, not all the teaching agencies that been listed are relevant to you, for example if you searched say “teaching agencies in Lincoln” that doesn’t mean that all the agencies listed will have schools or academies that supply to Lincoln. Depending on the age range that you teach, you should ask which Primary, Secondary or SEN schools the teaching agency work with that are close to you, as often teaching supply positions are last minute and to ensure regular teaching work it is essential to have a good number of schools near you.

justteachers is a leading supplier of teachers, nursery nurses and support staff into schools, colleges and nurseries across the U.K. Our continued expansion reflects the high level of service we deliver to our members, our commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people, as well as the support we offer our candidates and clients to ensure they can focus on delivering outstanding education.

We have offices across the U.K, supplying London and the South, the Midlands, the North West, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire.

If you are interested in the services we have to offer, you can register using the link below:

https://www.justteachers.co.uk/register

justteachers - Teaching jobs available throughout the UK, join a top rated supply teaching agency today

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on Emergency lesson plans: art and dt. Check out our resources area here too.

 

 

A Helping Hand with CPD – Education Support Partnership

A new charitable fund has been launched to help teachers expand their knowledge and access crucial CPD.
 

The recent publication of the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into teacher recruitment and retention made several recommendations, many of which have been welcomed by the sector. 

Its call for teachers to have access to high-quality development throughout their careers has been particularly welcomed.

However, at the same time, school funding is dominating the headlines and, worryingly, a report from the Teacher Development Trust in February found that 600 schools have had to “wipe out” their budget for professional development for teachers.

This is hugely concerning. It is so important for teaching professionals to have access to CPD opportunities, particularly with the changing policies and continuous development of pedagogic research. 

A Helping Hand with CPD - Education Support Partnership

The education sector should not be exempt from having to invest in staff. Teaching staff, arguably above all other professions given their essential role in imparting knowledge and shaping the talents and skills of the next generation, need to be stimulated, encouraged to stay ahead of the curve and, above all, valued. 

Teachers and school leaders want to develop themselves and we need to lobby and campaign for schools to be given the necessary resources and funding to invest in staff if we are to ensure the highest quality of education and motivation for all.

Furthermore, a recent report from the Education Policy Institute found that teachers in England spend less time doing CPD than their peers in many other high-performing countries. A teacher in England has an average of four days of CPD per year, whereas in Singapore it is 12 days.

Since our creation in 1877, we have provided crisis financial grants to those in need of such support across the education workforce. In our follow-up surveys, a quarter of the beneficiaries of these grants consistently tell us that support with training and CPD would help them stay in the education profession.

In response to this feedback and the increasing evidence of access to CPD being essential in recruiting and retaining teachers, the Education Support Partnership is delighted to have launched a Training and Development Fund in partnership with CSIS, the Civil Servant Insurance Society Charity Fund.

The purpose of this fund is to expand knowledge and skill-sets of the teaching profession. The fund will assist staff working in education with the cost of education-related training and help many to re-enter the education sector after time out with caring responsibilities perhaps, or to help develop new skills to move within their role and allied professions.

Jody was “born a teacher” and took a break from the profession to have children. As her eldest daughter has now started school, she feels there is no better time to go back to the profession she loves. However, the curriculum has changed and naturally, the idea of returning to teaching has been quite a daunting one. 

We supported Jody with a grant towards the cost of a course in effective A level exam preparation. Jody said:

“I didn’t want to just be the person that performs well at the interview and provides all the right answers. I needed to know for me, that if I was offered the job, I was the right person to do it – that my confidence and teaching skills are at their best, so my students can achieve their potential.”

We have also supported research into supporting autistic children in the classroom, securing Qualified Teacher Learning Status (QTLS), and re-training as a copywriter after ill health. 

We are delighted to be able to support those in education to retrain, develop their skills and become more confident in their chosen profession. It comes at a time when the sector has a real gap in funding and although our fund cannot provide all the opportunities needed for the sector, we hope it will go a small way to making a difference to a significant number of individuals.

For further information about the Education Support Partnership’s Training and Development Fund, visit http://www.educationsupportpartnership.org.uk/helping-you/training-development-fund

 

Where next? There's a great quick read here on balancing work & life. Check out our resources area here too.

RT Education – specialist recruitment company committed to the Education Sector

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rt Education - a specialist recruitment company commited to the Education arena

About RT Education

Part of the RT Group, RT Education was established in 2013 and is a specialist recruitment company committed to the Education Sector. Since our inception we have grown from strength to strength supplying educational staff across the spectrum of educational sectors. We provide recruitment solutions adopting a consultative approach with our candidates and clients alike. Our service mantra is simple; an honest and transparent approach where we strive to exceed customer’s expectations.

In line with our consultative approach, RT Education are proud of their recruitment partnerships within the Education sector across the UK and Overseas. Experience in supporting candidates to secure suitable work opportunities is something that we thrive on.

Our Areas of Speciality:

  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Specialist Educational Needs
  • Alternative Provision

Types of Staff we Supply: 

  • Business Support/Admin
  • Teaching Assistants
  • Cover Supervisors
  • Exam Invigilators
  • SEN Support
  • Supply Teachers
  • Senior Leadership Team

Many organisations need help to access bespoke candidate talent pools to further enhance and support their current staffing structures.  RT Education can help you find the perfect job; we have access to opportunities across London and the South East and we recognise the importance of finding you the perfect post. Whether you want supply, interim or permanent work we can help:

Long Term Supply and Interim Posts

Organisations often have a need for qualified teachers to cover unfilled vacancies, maternity leave or long term absences. Such posts can last anywhere between six weeks to a whole academic year. Long term posts offer you the security of knowing where you will be working every day. 

Day to Day Supply

We are inundated with requests for teaching staff on a daily basis to cover short term or an unexpected absences.  Some of our teaching staff prefer to work in a myriad of different settings, like the flexibility of choosing their working week or simply can’t make long term commitments.  As such our core Day to Day cover staff can pick up the work at short notice.

Permanent

We understand that looking for your next permanent career move is often a time consuming and daunting proposition.  We will take the pressure off you and source the perfect role in the perfect location.  As the skills shortage in Education intensifies so does the need of the client.  As a candidate looking for a permanent position you will be allocated a dedicated recruitment specialist with opportunities spanning the whole of the UK.

We specialise in recruiting for Senior Leadership roles and can offer both interim and permanent positions.  We currently work with a vast array of schools and academies and have access to a variety of opportunities with roles inclusive of:

  • Head Teacher
  • Assistant Head Teacher
  • Deputy Head Teacher
  • Head of Year
  • Head of Department
  • Head of Inclusion

If you have Senior Leadership experience we can help you to achieve your next challenging and rewarding career move.

To find out more about the benefits of working with RT Education or simply to discuss your next career options please feel free to contact us on the details below:

Phone: 01992 535770

Email: information@rt-education.com

Website: www.rteducation.co.uk

TeacherWise – A Fairer Deal For Schools & Supply Teachers

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We’re creating a fairer deal for supply teachers – one with NO agencies involved.

With our app, schools can view local supply teachers and request to book them directly. Meaning you, the teachers, can get seen by local schools, and build real relationships – without the agency middlemen getting in the way.

It’s time to give control back to teachers and schools.

Join us by clicking here
 

  • Get paid more. We have much lower fees than agencies, so that you’re paid what you deserve. Pay is above NUT recommended rates, and always above agency pay rates.
  • ​Get treated better by schools. Every school on our app must commit to our ethos of a fairer deal for schools and teachers – meaning better treatment of their teachers.
  • Get local jobs texted to you. Update your availability calendar in seconds, and receive texts direct from schools when they request you. Simple.

We’re focussed on daily supply teaching in London area right now, but know that some of our teachers and schools get along really well so want to work longer-term with each other. So we’ve decided to charge no finder’s fees too, so you can transition to full time worry free.

Find out more

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OK, so how does your app work?

  • Join us online, and we’ll get in touch to onboard you.

  • Make your profile and update your availability calendar.

  • Get job requests from local schools, texted to you.

  • Text back to accept or decline, and view the school’s feedback from other teachers.

  • Get paid at the end of each week.


A bit about us:

TeacherWise was established after seeing the huge profits being made by supply agencies exploiting the education system. In an environment where supply teachers are paid paltry amounts, and schools are having their budgets cut,– something has to change.

TeacherWise aims to connect supply teachers directly with schools through our technology – bypassing the need for agencies. Meaning more transparency, better pay for teachers, and savings for schools.

So everyone in education's happier.

We’re growing fast – The more supply teachers that join us, the faster we can bring transparency to supply teaching, and pay teachers what they deserve.

Our Promise To You

Charge schools less, pay teachers more – we believe technology can redistribute the hundreds of millions supply agencies are making – to schools & teachers.

​Improving education is more important to us than profit – we’re building our platform to bring transparency to this market, and improve the lives of our users.

​Commit to quality, not quantity – we aim to only sign-up teachers who are committed to giving excellent cover; and schools that treat their supply teachers well.

To join us, and begin on-boarding, click here

To learn more, http://www.TeacherWise.co.uk/teachers

Feel free to contact me on harry@TeacherWise.co.uk with any questions, or if you have any ideas to share on transforming supply teaching for the better.

First Class Learning – franchise opportunities that make sense for supply teachers

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First Class Learning - franchise opportunities for supply teachers

First Class Learning (FCL) is a learning franchise which provides a strong, flexible and dynamic learning system that focuses on the key maths and English learning outcomes within the School Curriculum. More than just private tuition, our maths and English tuition programmes help to form good study habits, increase confidence and develop self-esteem.

With First Class Learning:

  • Every child follows their own unique programme.
  • Children develop essential core maths and English skills.
  • Programmes are suitable for all ages and abilities

We know that with the flexibility of being a supply teacher comes some uncertainty.  We can all live with a little uncertainty but too much can be worrying in a work environment that is already acknowledged to be the most stressful around.

Nearly half (43 percent) of state school teachers plan to quit in the next five years according to The Guardian and almost three quarters of teachers-in-training regularly think about packing it in.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that if you love working with children but want to reduce your day to day stress levels there is another way to work with children and make a difference.

You could be running your own First Class Learning tuition centre and be your own boss. Here are seven reasons why it makes sense:

  • Educational Materials Aligned to National Curriculum – Our franchisees have access to a well-developed programme of materials and resources, all aligned to the national curriculum.
  • Established National Brand – First Class Learning is a national brand. Franchisees don’t have to start from nothing. They can build their business using a well-established template.
  • Proven and profitable business model – With First Class Learning you will access a proven and profitable business model. It is a well-trodden path to success available to everyone.
  • Extensive support network – We’re here to support you with business set-up guidance, marketing help and operational advice.
  • Freedom to teach as you see fit – You’re the boss. Say goodbye to the endless stream of rules, policies and paperwork. The buck stops with you, so do what you think is best.
  • Rebalance Work and Life – Take charge of your life. When you are the boss, you can pick your working hours. Imagine the lifestyle you want and make it happen.
  • Low start-up cost – Becoming a franchisee is a comparatively low-cost way to start your own business.

Supply teaching can be one of the most rewarding jobs imaginable, but there are challenges for all teachers working in schools.

However, with First Class Learning, you can teach in your own classrooms, in the way you want to, and at the times of your choosing.  It’s a great way to complement what you do inside the school system. So, you can reduce your own uncertainty, continue to enjoy the pride of helping children grow and learn and, at the same time, invest in your own future.

Take control of your destiny in 2017 with First Class Learning.

For more information, please register your interest here or contact us with any queries at: info@firstclasslearning.co.uk or 0800 458 3797

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on First class supply
Check out our resources area here too.

Rubbing plates, a quick time filler on supply!

Rubbings! Keep the little ones busy and the bigger ones happy.
Rubbing plates - ideas to keep little ones busy
Stuck for an activity for a group of little ones on supply?  Grab some scrap paper, and either get the children to do the rubbings themselves, or do a few quick ones yourself… These lovely, colourful rubbing plates don't need a photocopier password or internet connection! I have featured here Baker Ross' jungle animal prints, but they also have floral and geometric rubbing plates. What other surfaces can the children find to do rubbings of? Send them out into the whole learning environment with a crayon and a piece of paper to collect three rubbings… Once they are finished, they have to return and quiz each other on their mysterious pictures. Can their partner guess what surface it is? Do they need a clue?

With the older children, try a Literacy activity based on the jungle, perhaps based on The Tyger by William Blake, and throw in a little The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) by The Tokens! After drafting, their writing could be written over a jungle rubbing.

Your turn – rubbing plate activities

How would you use these rubbing plates in class? We can probably see that they are most suited to tiny people, but what about the older children? How could you use rubbings in class of young adults? Let us know!

An Apple A Day Supply

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An Apple A Day Supply - great teachers at our core

An Apple A Day Supply is a teacher-run agency based in Wiltshire, covering primary schools in Wiltshire and BANES. We pride ourselves on providing teachers with a friendly, professional and honest service. Apple A Day were finalists in the Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards 2014 for our Staff and Customer Care and are members of APSCO; showing we truly care about what we do. Having worked as permanent Class Teachers and Supply Teachers too, we genuinely understand the job from your perspective (and schools) and have put this knowledge into making everything as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. We run a PAYE so no umbrella company to deal with; any queries you can ask us!

We offer our team of teachers free training both in person and online and the topics are decided by you! For NQT’s or those of you looking for a little more support, we offer an induction programme to support your supply journey and help you to secure a permanent position (if that is what you are looking for). There are also social events held throughout the year to give you the opportunity to swap stories and meet other supply teachers in the area; supply teaching doesn’t need to be a lonely job!

We get to know you as a person and try to carefully match your requirements to our bookings.

Finally, we ensure the team of teachers we work with feel valued and appreciated. From phone calls to see how you are, to gifts and thank you cards. We always have time for you and go that extra mile to support you.

We can offer you:

• great rates of pay

• work in local schools

• support, guidance and understanding

• free training

• work within a well-respected team of teachers

• a friendly, honest and professional approach

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on Helping with CPD. Check out our resources area here too.

Supply Teacher Agencies

SupplyBag.co.uk is the font of all knowledge for supply teachers. Resources, ideas, support, and here: a whole section dedicated to working with supply teacher agencies.
Supply Teacher Agencies, first choice for many new to supply teaching

In this section:

Introduction to Supply Teaching Recruitment Agencies – We look at what their role is, a few of the positives, and the negatives.

Working with Agencies – Choosing a supply teaching agency and building a good quality working relationship with them. Remember: they work for you as much as you work for them!

Call back times – Do they really call you the night before? Half an hour before? Should I call my agency? How often should you call your agency? 

Feedback – Schools are in continual discussion with some agencies about their supply teachers, make sure you know how you're doing and ask for feedback.

Support – What can and should your agency offer supply teachers in terms of professional support? Who else offers support to supply teachers?

Supply Teacher Agency Database – A growing list of supply teaching agencies and apps (online booking platforms) operating in your area.

 

Are you looking for information on supply teacher agencies?

Did you need more information? What have I missed out that you would like to see? There are other related sections, but if there is something missing from this section on supply teacher agencies, please let me know!

St Valentine’s Day Supply Teaching Activities

Oh, how blissful, those heady St Valentine’s Days in school.
Oh, how awkward, those cringe-worthy St Valentine’s Days in school!

No matter what your take is on the big day, St Valentine’s offers many teaching and learning opportunities… Here are a few easy ones for starters:

Lots of fun (especially in Numeracy) with these Giant Love Hearts [Image click is an affiliate link]!

Love Hearts - lots of fraction fun on St Valentine's Day!


What is the average number of yellow ones in a pack?
Can you do a tally of how many letters on individual sweets?
(Clean hands and then) estimate and actual of how many you can hold (in your hand, not mouth!)
How can we measure the circumference accurately before Mr Peachton eats them all?
Compare a pack of these ‘Giant’ Love Hearts to a pack of normal sized Love Hearts – how much bigger are they? Apply that percentage to your own heart. How big is your own heart? How big, therefore, might the giant’s heart be in a fairy tale?
Nutritional values: how much ‘love’ is too much in one day?!


Great resource for sorting activities on St Valentine's Day

These heart shaped buttons [Image click is an affiliate link] come in bright colours and are perfect for sorting challenges with the little ones (colours, sizes and shape) as well as motor skills activities. Crafting with the older children would be darling with them: think glue, threading, sewing, rubbings, printing and sequencing!

 

The perfect stickers for kids on St Valentine's Day
And who can resist a sticker? Not me. I can see these form stickers adorning cards up and down the country this year – and hair accessories, and cardigans, and pencil cases, an untold number of opportunities to get PVA glue stuck to your fingers for picking off later 😉 Go on, you know you like it, treat yourself, it’s the day for it! [Image click is an affiliate link]

 

Your turn – give me your thoughts on St Valentine’s Day in school

Tell me, what do you like to do on this lovely day in school? Do you embrace it with all your heart? Or would you rather hide it under the carpet and pretend it doesn’t exist?

Engage Education – creators of iday

Advertisement Recruitment offices in London, East Midlands, East Anglia, Leeds, Ireland, Canada and Australia

About Engage Education

Engage Education are market leaders in recruiting quality teachers and support staff for schools throughout the United Kingdom. Current holders of the Education Investor’s ‘Recruitment Service of the Year Award’ Engage is focused on finding the right school for every teacher we work with.

With offices throughout the UK – London, East Midlands, East Anglia and Leeds – as well as international offices in Ireland, Canada and Australia; Engage Education are specialists in supporting international teachers and school staff with their job search. Our services also ensure that every individual receives the highest levels of support, advice and assistance with every step in the process of relocating to the UK.

Secured Guaranteed Pay

For those teachers not looking to take on a full-time role, Engage offer Secure Guaranteed Pay (SGP) contracts, which allow candidates to work a guaranteed 4 out of 5 days a week as a supply teacher. Meaning that you will secure yourself a fixed income for at least 4 out of 5 days a week, even if there’s no supply work available!

By working through our SGP scheme, many of our supply teachers go on to secure a long term or permanent role in the future. SGP often acts as a great way for teachers to really get to know the school they are working with and build a relationship from which a long-term contract will be offered.

Registration

Upon receipt of a fully updated CV and written references, our specialist consultants will contact you to arrange a preliminary interview. This registration gives us the opportunity to get to know you, your career history, qualifications and experiences. It also allows us to explore what type of job/position that you are interested in, where you would prefer to be located and what type of school best suits your skill set and personality.

Once this is complete, we will begin the process of finding opportunities for you with our schools throughout the UK. This can result in telephone/skype interviews almost immediately or the prospect of arranging an interview for you to visit a school face-to-face.

CPD

Through our dedicated candidate care team, we offer continuous support to all of our teachers through a range of Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities and social events. CPD is an essential part of your teaching career, helping you develop your skills and progress in your career. Our insightful CPD workshops, webinars and seminars will help you keep up to date with changes in education teaching practice.

iday

Engage Education’s signature event ‘iday’ may also be of interest to you? idays are held throughout the year (mainly in central London) where you can interview with multiple schools on one day in one place.

Please click the following video link to learn more about iday:

iday - Created by Engage Education

This event is FREE for selected candidates to attend, with Engage covering the costs of any flights, accommodation and travel throughout the time that you are at the event (up to 5 days).

With iday, candidates are guaranteed the opportunity to visit 2 schools that they have met at iday, with a view to securing the right position for them. All positions are for at least 1 full year, with possibility for permanency and progression. To date, over 2,000 teachers have been introduced to schools through our iday events since it’s inception in 2006.

For more information visit www.engageeducation.co.uk or contact your local branch:

–          London:               0333 800 7800

–          Leeds:                 0113 323 7630

–          East Midlands:    01733 873 030

–          East Anglia:         01603 518 400

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on Art and design activities
Check out our resources area here too.