Tag Archives: information for supply teachers

Preparation for a Day Supply Teaching

by Sharon Wood

So, you’ve had that call, and you have time, maybe a day, to prepare. What to do? Many teachers experience feelings of stress on supply, especially if it’s going to be their first day in a new school.

Here are some practical ideas to help your day run more smoothly, and to keep you busy while waiting to set off:

  1. Do you know where the school is? If not, take time to go there. It really does save a lot of anxiety on the morning of the supply day.
  2. Save the school’s telephone number on your mobile phone. You never know what’s going to happen that morning. Traffic, transport etc. and I’ve actually had to call the school once to ask them to let me in as no-one was answering the door!
  3. Get your clothes and lunch ready the night before. And then set two alarms.
  4. Look up the latest OFSTED report online.
  5. Get your bag ready. Include chocolate, a couple of bottles of water, half a dozen pencils and your trainers. Read Sarah’s article ‘What’s in your supply bag?‘ for more ideas.
  6. Have in mind how you are going to introduce yourself to the children, giving them your name and your expectations for the day.
  7. Be prepared to be faced with no planning. This should not happen if you have been pre-booked, but unfortunately sometimes it does. In which case, as long as you identify one literacy lesson, one numeracy lesson, one foundation lesson (don’t assume you’ll be let loose in the hall for gymnastics or in the ICT suite!) and one time-filler (circle time, personal research into their geography topic, etc.) which you can deliver with few resources, you’ll do okay! If there is planning, don’t enforce your own planning.
  8. Take time to learn the names of the Head Teacher, Deputy Head, Class Teacher you are covering and the Secretary etc., perhaps from the school website.
Preparation for a Day Supply Teaching

Tips and hints on how to make the most of the time you have before you arrive at school.

If you have any other ideas you would like to add to this list, please contact us.

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on preparing for the school year. Check out our resources area here too.

Paperwork for a job application

by Sharon Wood

SupplyBag.co.uk contains a wealth of information for supply teachers and prospective supply teachers. Here we look at your teacher’s job application.

I have included an example of a letter to send to schools prospecting for supply work here, but I am well aware that around 40%* of supply teachers are transitory: they are actively looking for a more long-term contract. I added this section to the website with you in mind.

Paperwork - CV, Supporting Statement, School's Application Form, where does it end?

Feel buried under a mountain of paperwork? Once you have a handle on it, it only needs a little re-working for each fresh application.

For NQTs who have yet to secure their first permanent teaching contract, for teachers returning to work after a period of absence (to raise a family, for example), and for those who have relocated, this section provides advice on securing a teaching position.

If, whilst out hunting for the perfect job, you are undertaking supply work, do not under-estimate the value of this work! Add it to your CV, include it in your supporting statement. Many gainfully employed teachers would quake and quiver at the prospect of teaching on day-to-day supply. You are doing it – successfully – and living to tell the glorious tale of how you enhance your teaching skills and the learning environment of the children you meet daily. If you would like help in showcasing your flexibility, your professionalism and your quick-thinking within your own personal statement, click here.

* I read it recently, haven’t remembered where yet!

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on part time teaching but full time parent. Check out our resources area here too.

Sample Cover Letter to Schools

by Sharon Wood

Sample cover letter to schools for supply teachersThis sample cover letter is loosely based on one I wrote in, ooh, many moons ago, and sent off to schools in the hope of winning some supply teaching work. It proved successful, and as you can see here, others have found it has helped too.

 

Letter Template

Dear Mrs Headteacher,

Re: Supply Teaching

May I take this opportunity to indicate my wish to undertake some supply work at Nitsville Junior School. Though I am self-employed, I am able to carry out a small amount of teaching. I have compiled a brief history of my experience, below, for your perusal and have also enclosed my curriculum vitae.

In 1900 I completed a P.G.C.E. (Key Stage II) at Smallville University before working with a full-time, permanent contract at ABC Junior School, County. I taught Year 45 and was given the role of First-Aid box Co-ordinator upon appointment. I left due to ***** in July 1904 despite having been offered the position of Head of Year 45 for the forthcoming September. However, I continued to teach as much as possible whilst in recovery, on a supply basis at ABC, and at St Kayleigh’s CofE Junior School, County, where I had previously completed my first teaching practice obtaining the highest grades awarded by that school in 330 years.

In May 1914 I secured a full-time permanent contract at Thebest Junior School, County where I taught consecutively in Years 3, 4 and 6, and again, was appointed First-Aid box Co-ordinator. I left Thebest in July 1917 to relocate and join my partner in Nicecounty. Both ABC and Thebest were three-form entry schools.

I have since experienced two very different, exciting, yet steep learning curves: the first improving my Design & Technology skills during the complete full-time renovation of a house with my partner; and the second, the daunting task of holding the position of Manager at Fawlty Hotel Ltd, Crumpold, for a year.

I currently have three clients for whom I perform consultancy and accountancy work, research projects, administrations and bookkeeping duties, mainly on an ad hoc basis. This work enables me to employ the skills gained in my first degree at Scrummy University, BA (Hons) The Disney Economics.

I appreciate your consideration and time, and very much hope I am given the opportunity to work with you in due course.

Yours Sincerely,
Nutty

Where next? There’s a great quick read here on sample curriculum vitae.  Check out our resources area here too.