Why more supply teachers are choosing The Supply Register

As the number of academies, trusts and further education establishments has grown, we’ve also quietly built and nurtured our own talent pool. In this blog, we share some of our bank candidates’ experiences and why they chose The Supply Register.

Over the past 10 years, we have developed a partnership-led approach with our academies, trusts and further education establishments that goes beyond just ‘placement of candidates’. We invest time in ensuring that candidates are the right cultural and operational fit. This approach benefits trusts by providing familiar faces who return to teach – candidates who understand expectations, are familiar with how the academy is run, and can deliver greater consistency, ultimately benefiting pupils.

This approach allows candidates to work flexibly across academies within our trusts, strengthening workforce stability and increasing the likelihood of long-term or permanent appointments.

“What attracted me was the way The Supply Register partners directly with schools and trusts, rather than operating as a purely transactional agency. I liked that they focus on building long-term, consistent relationships with schools and staff, support both mainstream and SEN settings”

Chukwuka, SEN TA (North)

What makes us different

As a Managed Service Provider (MSP), we take a bank-first approach, creating a hybrid model that gives trusts access to a reliable pool of pre-vetted staff who are offered placements first, alongside the support of a managed Preferred Supplier List (PSL). For candidates, this means greater access to opportunities, more regular work, and the chance to build experience and confidence while finding the right long-term fit

“Before I joined The Supply Register, I was out of work for a month as I was not receiving any shifts from any other agencies. When I signed up to The Supply Register, I was almost instantly receiving regular shifts in advance. I am a qualified primary school teacher, and I have never gone a week without having work, which has been amazing.”

Saimah, Teacher (North) 

Technology is changing the way we work, and at The Supply Register, we’ve developed our bespoke platform, tsr365, to bring together supply bookings, workforce management, reporting and compliance in one place. But this doesn’t take away from the personalised service our partnership teams provide.

Based regionally, our partnership teams offer a truly personalised experience, using our recruitment platform to speed things up and create efficiencies. This benefits both education establishments and our talent pool, allowing us to focus on building strong relationships.

“Communication has been clear, professional, and timely—from the initial contact through to placement discussions. I’ve found the team to be approachable and supportive, and there’s a sense that you [The Supply Register] genuinely care about matching the right person to the right school, rather than just filling a vacancy.”

Chukwuka, SEN TA (North)

Our approach prioritises fair pay and ethical practice, with full transparency around pay and charges. By operating with reduced margins, we maximise value for candidates while delivering measurable cost efficiencies for Trusts.

Unlike many providers, we do not use umbrella companies—ensuring supply staff receive a clear, transparent weekly payslip, with no hidden fees, ensuring they retain more of their earnings. In addition, our model delivers greater access to consistent work, with supply staff working an average of 4.5 days per week—1.5 days above the sector average.

Why choose Supply?

There are many reasons people choose supply work: for some, it’s a stepping stone into a new career; for others, it’s a way to step back and reduce stress and pressure. It can also provide a route back into work after a career break or post-study entry into the workplace.

As SEN provision increases across mainstream schools, new opportunities are becoming available. Teaching in the traditional sense may not interest you, but supporting learners with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) could. These roles require a different skill set and can open up future development opportunities, including specialist behavioural support roles.

The flexibility of supply teaching is also a real benefit for many people. Whether it’s fitting work around family commitments, other jobs or achieving a better work/life balance, supply teaching can support a more flexible lifestyle. Through our bespoke platform tsr365, you can block out the times you’re available to work, with the flexibility to change your schedule week by week to suit your diary.

“For me, working as a Supply teacher is perfect for my lifestyle. I aim to work about 3 days a week, I have no commitment or additional workload, and I can leave at the end of the day without that worry. I previously worked full-time as a teacher, and the work/life balance is much better now.”

Venetia (South)

Working in supply can provide valuable school-based experience, helping to strengthen career prospects, confirm whether working in a school is the right fit, and find a trust whose values and approach suit you.

“My advice for anyone thinking about Supply work is to definitely give it a go. It’s a great way to get experience, meet new people, and find the type of school that suits you best, and it can also lead to permanent opportunities.”

Ellie, TA (South)

Getting back to work after a career break can be tough. You may need more flexibility or want to build confidence after time away. Working in supply is a great way to gain experience, rebuild confidence and ease yourself back into the classroom.

“After a career break due to raising a family, I decided to go back to work and needed something flexible so I could work around my young children. I contacted a few agencies, and The Supply Register was one of the few that replied. My consultant is really good, she listens to my feedback about schools and works around my timetable. She has found me work on the days I choose and with my preferred schools. I would definitely recommend the Supply Register to anyone looking to get back into teaching.” 

Arvy (North)

Supply work can also be a great option for students and graduates. After qualifying with a PGCE, gaining classroom experience and finding the right trust can make all the difference. Some graduates leave university unsure of their next step, and working as a supply Teaching Assistant can open the door to future opportunities in teaching or specialist behavioural support roles.

“I was attracted to join The Supply Register as it was recommended to me by my final placement school, which spoke very positively about their experience. That gave me confidence that it would be a supportive and reliable organisation to work with.

So far, my experience has been very positive. I have had consistent work most weeks, which has been really helpful in building my confidence and gaining experience across different schools and year groups. It has allowed me to develop my adaptability and classroom practice in a range of settings.”

John, Teacher (South)

If you feel ready to take that first step into a rewarding career in education, whether you’re looking for flexibility, valuable classroom experience, or a pathway to a permanent role, becoming a Teaching Assistant with The Supply Register could be the perfect opportunity.

To join our growing network of support staff today and start making a real difference, you can search our latest vacancies and start the registration process straight away to discover where a role in education could take you.