Working on supply as a teacher or support assistant is a varied and challenging role. You’re expected to adapt quickly, understand and follow each school’s behaviour system and keep learning moving – often at very short notice.
It’s not always easy, but it can be one of the most flexible, fulfilling and skill-building roles in education. Here’s how to make the most of it:
Know what ‘good’ day-to-day supply looks like
As a supply teacher or support assistant, you’ll often get last-minute or short bookings in schools you might be unfamiliar with. Whilst you can get more involved if you’re working long-term, it’s important to understand that you’re not going to be expected to transform a class in one session – you’re there to keep things moving and maintain continuity.
Get to know your setting
Most schools follow a similar structure regarding policies and procedures, but take some time to familiarise yourself with their ways of working to ensure classroom confidence
When you arrive, quickly check:
- The behaviour policy
- Who the safeguarding lead is and what the process for reporting is
- The fire procedures and assembly points
- The marking expectations
If in doubt, ask the nearest experienced teacher or teaching assistant – they’re usually happy to help.
Keep in touch with your agency
We pride ourselves on our personal, friendly approach and take the time to build supportive professional relationships with our teachers and support staff. Whether it’s popping along to one of our pub meets or just making sure your availability is up-to-date, it’s important that you keep us in the loop so we can keep you in suitable work.
When you speak to us, don’t be afraid to be really clear about what you expect from supply – a good agency will listen:
- Be clear about your preferred key stages and travel distance
- Give honest feedback about schools (professionally)
- Be reliable—schools notice consistency
Have a go-to “Emergency Lesson Toolkit”
Even in well-organised schools, cover work can be minimal or unclear. Having a few ready-to-go activities can save a lesson and your stress levels.
Keep activities adaptable (both in terms of age range and timing) to minimise the risk of a last-minute panic when planned work isn’t available.
Leave clear, professional handover notes
One of the biggest things schools value is a clear written handover.
Whilst you don’t need to leave an essay (especially for a single days cover), its good practice to get in the habit of leaving clear, concise feedback. Things to include are:
- What work was completed
- Any pupils who struggled or excelled
- Behaviour incidents (with names, not just descriptions)
It’s important that any safeguarding concerns are logged quickly and via the right channels. If you want to raise a concern, you’ll need to report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Understanding agencies
Supply work comes with different pay structures depending on whether you’re:
- Paid via PAYE or umbrella
- Working through an agency or directly with a school
- In the same role for more than 12 weeks and entitled to Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) pay parity with permanent staff.
Knowing your rights helps you make informed choices about long-term placements versus day-to-day work.
Look after yourself
Classrooms can be busy, loud and demanding, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the school.
Remember it’s important to be kind to yourself – some days will be tougher than others and the beauty of supply is you have the flexibility to walk away from placements you really aren’t enjoying.
We’ve collated some really handy tips from our wellbeing expert James, whose virtual session of managing stress in schools, is available to watch here.
Find the right fit for you
One of the perks of supply is having the flexibility to choose how and when you work. You’ll get the chance to try out lots of different settings, so pay attention to where you feel comfortable and supported. Many supply teachers and support staff end up securing permanent roles in schools where they’ve already built a strong reputation.
Remember, you’re not ‘just supply’
Supply teachers and support staff provide a vital service to schools – they keep learning going, support staff teams, and provide stability when schools need it most.
Confidence, professionalism, and consistency go a long way in showing that you’re a skilled member of staff, not just there to fill in the gaps.
In conclusion..
Overall, working on supply is fast-paced, varied, and sometimes unpredictable, but it’s also one of the best ways to sharpen your classroom management, see a wide range of settings and build a flexible school career.
Want to find out more about how Source Supply can help you thrive on supply? Check out our latest vacancies or click the ‘register’ button at the top of this page and we’ll be in touch.
