As with most walks of life, the quality of relationships you hold as a supply teacher can play a key part in overall success. After all, as the adage goes, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ While this is only partially true in education, the strength of relationships and positive previous experiences with employers can play a major role in being invited to more opportunities with them in the future. With this in mind, how do supply teachers build strong, long-term relationships with schools, trusts and all education establishments?
Seek feedback
Feedback is a two-way street, and although many employers will offer feedback on performance and other factors, not all will. Equally, it can help to strengthen your relationship with hiring managers and other key stakeholders if you proactively seek out feedback ahead of it being offered. This not only shows that you care about your interaction with the school or trust, but that you are also focused on developing your skills in order to offer the best possible educational outcomes to pupils.
Be punctual
First impressions count, and nothing quite sends the wrong message like being late. Punctuality is key, particularly in education, and even the best technical teachers can be undone by having poor time management. It might sound simplistic, but many readers would be shocked by the number of professionals who arrive late to assignments. It’s not only the correct thing to do, and sends the right message to any employer, but arriving early also gives you time to familiarise yourself with the school layout, lesson plans, and any specific expectations. Establishments prefer to rebook professionals they can trust to show up on time and be prepared; conversely, failing to do so may mean the end of any relationship with that particular employer.
Adapt your approach
No two establishments are the same, and even those that seemingly share values and behaviours will have their own cultural and other nuances that differentiate them from others. For supply specialists, this can present challenges, but the key is to be flexible and adaptable, and able to meet the varying requirements of wherever you are operating. Demonstrating a positive attitude towards unexpected changes will make establishments more likely to see you in a positive light and want to work with you again.
Engage with colleagues
Your fellow colleagues are potentially your biggest advocates, and building rapport with them can lay the foundations for a positive, long-term relationship. Taking the time to make introductions to other staff members – regardless of seniority or status – builds familiarity, and positive interactions like this can help position you as a familiar and trusted face in the establishment. Many leaders will seek the views and guidance of their teachers when recruiting supply expertise, so promoting yourself in a positive light with colleagues, and building out your network in the process, can be a highly effective approach.
Leave clear and detailed instructions
Along similar lines, the notes and instructions you leave for permanent staff members to find upon their return are another method of establishing credibility and demonstrating your ability to deliver on the task at hand. Providing comprehensive information about the lessons covered, student engagement and any potential issues that have been encountered makes it far easier for the returning teacher to pick up where you left off. It also demonstrates professionalism and helps to build trust, which is the bedrock of any long-term relationship.
Show initiative
Education establishments will always value additional support and specialists who take the initiative, rather than waiting for direction at every step. Offering to assist with tasks, including break-time supervision or helping a struggling student, shows you care about more than just the assignment at hand. Equally, if the professional that you’re covering for hasn’t left lesson plans, being prepared and ready with backup activity ideas shows that you have done your homework and made the additional effort. More broadly, taking an active and positive role in the school community can make a lasting impression and lead to repeat placements and an overall stronger relationship.
Partner with a specialist agency
Here at The Supply Register, our bank approach to supply teacher recruitment benefits both establishments and teachers. Once we partner with a new school or trust we align them with the right supply specialists based on the professional, geographical and cultural demands of the role, rather than solely because they’re available at the time. This supports the development of stronger, long-term relationships and means that our specialists form part of the wider ecosystem of the establishment they partner with, and become a key part of the community. This is one of the many reasons why, across our entire client base, candidates who form part of these banks score considerably higher in reviews and are also happier in their roles than those supplied by external agencies.
Ultimately, the strength of your relationships with schools, trusts and other establishments plays a key part in the types of roles that you will be offered in the future. By preparing yourself in the right way and partnering with a specialist agency that truly understands the nuances of education recruitment, you can increase your chances of securing regular bookings, developing a positive reputation, and making a meaningful impact on students.
Get in touch with our team today to find your next specialist supply role, or check out some of our latest specialist supply roles.
