Supply teachers play an essential role within most schools. They cover for teachers who are ill or absent for other reasons in the short or long-term. They can therefore have many issues to deal with that can make their working lives particularly difficult. It can, however, still be a rewarding and satisfying way to teach. We hope that the following guide will help to answer any questions you may have and offer you hints and tips on how to make supply teaching work for you.

Benefits
Being a supply teacher offers you the fulfillment of teaching without the administrative burden of excessive paperwork and bureaucracy. You can greatly reduce your workload and responsibilities, end up with more flexible working hours and have a break from the daily staffroom routine.

Switching to supply teaching can also be a great way to avoid burn out and give you the opportunity to decide if teaching is still the career for you. If you later decide to return to a permanent contract you'll have experience of a wide range of schools and students: an attractive prospective to some employers.

All schools experience unexpected staffing shortages at some time or another, so supply teaching ensures a continuity of work with a choice of short or long-term bookings. Supply teaching is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a variety of school settings before taking up longer term or permanent positions.  For others it is a great way to balance work and home life.

Difficulties
Schools with difficulties tend to use a higher proportion of supply teachers, so it is a common element of the supply teacher's job that he or she will be working in a challenging and sometimes stressful environment.

There are several key issues that supply teachers face when going into a new school to teach:

• No prior knowledge of the behaviour policy of that school, which can make it difficult to apply discipline.
• No prior knowledge of the pupils or vice versa.
• Other, permanent staff regarding supply teachers as having a lesser status.
• Not always being able to follow up any work or sanctions given.
• Working in different schools, which can make it difficult to manage a class.
• No knowledge of the schools' staffroom politics can make daily life tricky - something as simple as using the wrong coffee mug can cause problems.
• While supply teaching offers great flexibility, it does not usually offer sick pay. A teacher may be eligible for statutory sick pay if they have had continuous employment for 13 weeks, but as supply teachers can have unusual work patterns, they should check their position with their local benefits agency. Many insurance providers offer income protection, which can be paid monthly, but this can prove expensive. Alternatively, many supply teachers choose to save in case of illness or a lull in supply work.

Being aware of the disadvantages can help supply teachers work out ways to tackle them in their working lives. For further support on any of these issues, call 08000 562 561 for free, and in confidence.