Why supply teaching can help ECTs pass their induction with flying colours

The training programme is finished and the time has come to embark on their teaching journey. It’s an exciting time for an Early Career Teacher (ECT) as they seek to put into practice what they have learned in their studies during their two-year induction as a newly qualified teacher.

Diving straight into a full-time role can, however, be daunting for some, so supply teaching is a great way to help make the transition so much smoother. In this article, we explore the many facets of life as a supply teacher while highlighting all the major benefits that such a move brings for professionals early in their careers.

Most early career supply teachers will tell you that one of the major reasons they opt to follow this path is the variety that it brings. Working as a supply teacher will enable professionals who are starting out to experience both different schools and classroom settings, adapting and learning the ropes quickly so that they can be as effective as possible. This broad exposure will in turn help shape decision making in the future and they will be able to draw on those precious learning experiences gained in the early stages of their career.

Working as a supply teacher brings you into contact with pupils from a wide array of backgrounds and with very different needs. While this will be challenging and the learning curve steep, this type of scenario is second to none in terms of real-life, hands-on experience. From communication to adaptability, supply teaching will help you hone your ‘soft’ skills while also helping to strengthen resilience and confidence. And as those pupils become accustomed to you and your teaching style, so too will their trust grow and they will become more engaged and attentive in lesson time.  It also, crucially, enables you to develop and build on your skills and experience, whilst also earning a steady income, something which isn’t as accessible in other entry routes into the education sector.

Indeed, building teaching skills is a fundamental part of the early career framework (ECF) that is so vital for new teachers during their induction period as they progress to qualified teacher status (QTS). Alongside classroom experience, it is also critical to receive the necessary ongoing training which is why teachers should always partner with agencies that can provide such support. Demonstrating that they are undergoing training and that, for example, they’re up to date with all the latest curriculum changes, is an absolute must.

Variety also applies to the length of the assignment, which could be anything from several days’ cover through to a full term or even a whole school year. Let’s not forget also that not only will specialists be encountering pupils from all backgrounds and needs, but they’ll also be getting to know colleagues and fellow teachers who can also support further professional development. That support structure can prove invaluable, especially during those first days when everything will seem overwhelming. People and culture are another important reason why teachers may want to stay at a particular school.

Flexibility of supply teaching a welcome boost for work-life balance  

As well as the experience gained from different schools, supply teaching provides a greater level of flexibility, allowing new entrants the possibility to fit their work around their family and other commitments. And with work-life balance such an important factor for so many in the profession, supply teaching allows ECTs to pick and choose assignments when it suits them most, thus enabling them to take time off when they need it. It is that unrivalled flexibility that proves such a huge draw for many who choose to continue working as supply teachers for the rest of their careers.

The other big benefit of supply teaching as an ECT is that professionals can begin to build strong relationships with certain schools which can be beneficial later in their careers. Teachers with the right cultural, personal and professional fit will become a valued member of staff, and will gain an in-depth understanding of how things work in the particular establishment. And as they keep returning to the same school for future assignments, their confidence will grow as will their ability to prepare lesson plans while dealing with the many behavioural scenarios that might arise in the classroom.

And it’s not just schools themselves that ECTs can build relationships with; working in this way enables supply teachers to boost their professional networks with key individuals from across education who can provide valuable advice and references in the future. It can also help by increasing profiles with recruiters. These professionals know the market inside out, like our specialist team here at The Supply Register, and are therefore ideally placed to advocate on ECTs’ behalf with prospective employers when they consider making the move into a permanent role.

From the variety of different schools and pupils to the flexibility of choosing assignments of varied durations to suit lifestyle needs, supply teaching can help get teaching careers off to a flying start. It can be a great way to test the waters, and better understand the full range of environments on offer that are better suited to specific teaching styles and approaches. Supply specialists who do become an integral part of the teaching staff and undertake further assignments with the same schools are then likely to be offered a permanent role. Alternatively, they could continue to reap the numerous benefits that supply teaching brings!

For any ECT starting out, supply teaching could be the ideal springboard for your teaching career.

Want to find out more about our supply teaching job and the training resources we offer? Contact us today

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