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Daily Supply – means covering teachers lessons if they are away from school due to sickness or on training courses etc. Placements will usually be only for one or two days but occasionally last longer.

Advantages – Daily supply is relatively ‘commitment free’ so if you don’t want to commit to a longer term post, want to work only on the days you specify or want to get a taste for a variety of schools then daily supply could be for you. Daily supply also means you do not have the additional burden of marking or planning lessons as this will already have been done by the absent teacher (Yippee!!)

Disadvantages – Many teachers find the relationships they build with students to be the most rewarding part of being a teacher. By choosing to work day to day you are limiting your chances of doing this as most classes you will only ever see once. There is also the possibility that we may not find you work on every day of a particular week however this is the exception rather than the norm.

Short-Term Supply – may last anything up to half a term and will be agreed in advance. You will be expected to take on some of the responsibilities of the absent teacher such as marking and short term planning. Some schools use short-term supply as a way of ‘grooming’ teachers before offering them a permanent post.

Advantages - When you agree to the placement you are committing to the school for the specified time and so you are guaranteed work for the duration of the placement. Short-term supply means you will be teaching the same classes each week and so you can build relationships with your students and colleagues. Short-term supply is an excellent way for less experienced teachers to gain experience and for overseas teachers to get a feel for UK schools without committing to a permanent post.

Disadvantages - Short-term supply teachers are expected to fulfil many of the roles of the absent teacher so the workload is slightly higher than daily supply. You will be expected to teach every day for the duration of the placement and so taking days off will have to be agreed with the school as if you were a permanent teacher.

Long-Term Supply – Placements last for half a term or longer during which time you will assume the responsibilities of a permanent teacher such as parent’s evenings etc.

Advantages - Long-term supply teachers will have the stability offered by a fixed timetable in exactly the same way as a normal teacher and can really get to know their students. As with short term supply there is also less uncertainty as to when you will be working. Long term supply teachers have many of the benefits enjoyed by teachers on permanent contracts and will often find themselves offered permanent contracts after their placement. The length of placement allows time to really get to know a school (it is not unheard of for long term supply teachers to hold positions of responsibility!) and so you may even get a leaving do!

Disadvantages – The level of commitment expected from a long-term supply teacher is greater than for a daily supply teacher in much the same way as for a short-term supply teacher.

Permanent Contract – Schools are increasingly using teachers-direct to recruit for permanent vacancies. This is because we offer better value and service than more traditional recruitment methods. If you choose this option then we will do all the hard work of job-hunting for you and will contact you with offers of interviews from schools. Should you choose to accept an offer of employment then you will work directly for the school or local education authority.

Advantages – Permanent work offers you the security of a permanent contract which means that you are financially more secure. You will also have the benefits of paid holiday and sickness pay.

Disadvantages – Accepting a permanent contract ties you to a particular school and means that you will be subject to a minimum notice period (usually at least half a term) should you choose to leave. Less experienced teachers often find that they are financially worse off than if they were doing supply teaching.