If you’re a teacher, teaching assistant, learning support assistant or other education professional considering supply work, it can be difficult to decide on the best time to join an agency.
The reality is, most reputable agencies will have roles available throughout the academic year, but the type and volume of vacancies can change considerably depending on when you register.
Schools have different staffing pressures at different points in the year. Understanding the school recruitment cycle can help you know when to register, when to start looking and what types of roles you’re most likely to find.
August:
Although schools are closed during much of August, this doesn’t mean recruitment stops. August can be an important month for candidates looking for work in September. It might be quieter for day-to-day roles until October, but whether it’s an unexpected new vacancy or an existing vacancy where the successful applicant has now withdrawn, there are usually longer-term options available.
September:
Typically, schools and agencies will have organised most of their school staffing during the last summer term. As permanent staff return to work feeling rested and ready for the new academic year, the need for last minute day-to-day work also decreases.
October:
By October, schools have settled into the new academic year and the need for day-to-cover ramps up. Schools may also begin to identify staffing issues that weren’t obvious during the summer and will recruit long-term staff accordingly.
November:
November tends to bring a mixture of planned and unexpected staffing requirements. As the darker, colder months start to creep in, there is usually an increase in last-minute sickness cover. The first half-term of the year brings resignations, which means schools will start looking for temporary, longer-term staff to cover any staffing gaps from January.
December:
With the end of term approaching, schools will have hopefully sorted the majority of longer-term staffing issues in November. However, that doesn’t mean December is quiet. With a flurry of festive activity and lots of last-minute absence, there is often a wealth of day-to-day work in the run up to the Christmas break.
January:
Some staff may not return after Christmas, while others may begin maternity leave, change roles or leave education altogether. January can therefore be an excellent time to reconsider your employment situation if you’re unhappy in your current role.
You don’t necessarily have to wait until September to make a career move, and we often find January is an exceptionally busy period for long-term and day-to-day supply roles.
February:
February tends to follow a similar pattern to January, although recruitment can vary considerably between schools. Long-term absences continue, while schools may also need additional support as pupil needs become clearer.
The February half-term is also a useful opportunity to review your availability and speak to your agency about what you’re looking for during the rest of the academic year.
March:
March is an interesting point in the recruitment calendar because schools begin looking ahead. While day-to-day supply remains important, recruitment activity can increasingly focus on the summer term and beyond.
For candidates, March can be a good time to start thinking about what you want your next academic year to look like.
April:
After the Easter break, schools enter the final term of the academic year. With Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and newly qualified support staff usually just finishing their studies, there is a definite focus on September, as schools look for staffing certainty and supply staff want confirmed work in the new academic year.
At this point, you should start making sure your CV is up to date and communicate clearly with recruiters about the roles you’d interested in.
May:
May can be an important month for candidates looking for a new role from September. By now, most schools are recruiting for the following academic year, meaning vacancies can start appearing well before the summer holidays.
Don’t wait until September. If you know you want a new role in September, starting your search during the summer term can give you more options.
It also gives you time to attend interviews, complete the registration process and consider different opportunities without the pressure of finding something at the last minute.
June:
By June, September recruitment is often well underway.
Schools are planning staffing structures for the new academic year and vacancies can become more visible. This is a particularly useful time for teachers and teaching assistants who want to secure a role before the summer holidays.
However, there can also be plenty of supply opportunities during June because schools still need staff to cover:
- Sickness
- Training days
- PPA
- Trips and visits
- Staff absence
- Assessment periods
- Exam-related cover
July:
July is often a mixture of two recruitment markets. On one hand, schools still need supply staff to cover the final weeks of term. On the other, they are busy preparing for September.
Still not sure when the best time to join us will be? Complete the form below and one of our friendly, local consultants will be in touch to discuss current vacancies and upcoming opportunities that might suit you.
