
Top 5 supply teaching skills that mean you’re made for the job
Any disruption to the continuity of learning can have long-term effects on a child’s education. During the peak of coronavirus, 1.7 billion school children experienced an interruption to their learning and this is where supply teachers can play a pivotal role. Supply teachers perform the pastoral and general duties of the teacher that they’re standing in for, meaning that these educational staff are just as vital to the education system as any other member of staff. Supply teaching is therefore an extremely rewarding job, but have you got what it takes to do it well? Here are five supply teaching skills that mean you’re made for the job.
Patience
Whether you’re interested in becoming a primary or secondary supply teacher, patience is a very important skill, particularly when helping students with learning loss. Showing a genuine display of wanting to understand pupils and trying to relate to them will help you build better relationships. With a good dose of patience, all that’s left to do is define your behaviour management strategies and you’ll command the classroom’s attention.
Resilience
On average, teachers will impact the lives of 3,000 pupils and as many as 54% of these students reveal that a teacher has guided them through a challenging period. There are few jobs more rewarding than teaching but the challenging nature of the job makes it suited to people who have a high level of resilience. As a supply teacher, you’ll be working with children with learning and attention difficulties, trying to engage disaffected students and helping pupils through the stress of examinations. Your resilience will give you the strength to mentally and emotionally handle these difficult situations but it’s also important to manage your wellbeing as a supply teacher.
Flexibility
Most supply teachers agree that flexibility is what drew them to the job, so understandably, it takes a flexible person to thrive in this role. One job could find you following a strict school plan and for others you’ll be using your own planning materials. Your working pattern will be varied too and if you’re open to last-minute jobs you can ensure that you’re working more days in the year. Plus, there’s a good chance that by saying yes to these jobs you’ll find yourself at a school that you love, and it could turn into a long-term placement if that’s something you’re interested in. What’s more, cognitive flexibility is in the top 10 soft skills you need in the new decade – so it’s a great skill to hone.
Self-motivation
If you like to be in control of when and where you work then a supply teaching job is perfect for you, but you will need a get-up-and-go attitude. The length of each job can vary from a single day to several months, so it’s up to you to decide how often you want to work, and when you’re nearing the end of a contract you’ll need to seek out a new job or get in touch with your agency. A big bonus of this working style is that you can determine your work-life balance, especially if you choose the right supply teaching agency. A good agency will be one you feel comfortable working with and trust to find the right jobs for you.
Organisation
With the autonomy of the job comes a need for strong organisation skills. Though working with a supply teaching agency will take a lot of the admin off your hands you’ll still need to stay on top of your work commitments. Having your supply teacher bag packed with a diary, snacks, portable charger and lesson plans will mean you’re ready to set off straight away when you get those last-minute calls. Being organised will also give you the confidence to walk into a new school and know that you can deliver an engaging lesson.
Take on a supply teaching job with Teaching Personnel
If you can tick off these skills then you’re made for a supply teaching job - and we want to help you find the right one. We place NQTs, fully qualified teachers and learning support staff in temporary jobs at thousands of schools every year, taking the time to understand what each person is looking for in their next job. Browse our supply teaching jobs or find out what to expect for supply teaching in September.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£61,707 - 70,873 per year + Additional bonuses
Location free text
Bexley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£60,000 - £69,999
£70,000 - £79,999
Sector
English
Location
Bexley
Description
Director of Learning – English Bexley, LondonAre you an experienced and ambitious English teacher ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?Teaching Personnel’s PWR team is working in par
Reference
HAR001
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£130 - 160 per day
Location free text
Surrey
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Surrey
Description
Join Teaching Personnel – Fully Qualified Teachers Wanted in Hampshire and Surrey!Are you a passionate and fully qualified teacher looking for flexibility, variety, or your next permanent role? Teach
Reference
Surrey
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Thames Valley SecondaryAuthor
Thames Valley SecondarySalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Shipley
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Other
Location
West Yorkshire
Description
Hello!Are you looking for teaching opportunities outside the classroom? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned tutor looking for tuition work in school hours? If so, let me help!Here at TP Tutors, we can offer
Reference
RT0804ShipleyGen
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£85 - 100 per day
Location free text
Crosby
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Merseyside
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant Location: Crosby, Liverpool School: Specialist Secondary School for Pupils with SEND Age Group: 11–16 Years Salary: Competitive – dependent on experience Contract: Full-TimeAre
Reference
0904-CR
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool BranchAuthor
Liverpool BranchSalary
£13.75 - 14.25 per hour
Location free text
Oldham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Oldham
Description
Are you an upcoming Social Science graduate with a passion for primary education and supporting students' academic development? If so, we have exciting opportunities for you to join Teaching Personnel
Reference
gradtaol1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North PrimaryAuthor
Manchester North PrimarySalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Oldham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Oldham
Description
Are you a passionate and dedicated Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) eager to make a meaningful impact in primary education? Teaching Personnel are seeking enthusiastic individuals to fill several roles,
Reference
ectol1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North PrimaryAuthor
Manchester North PrimarySalary
£31,650 - 43,607 per year + benefits
Location free text
Poole
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Poole
Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and passionate Teaching Assistant to join a dynamic and forward-thinking secondary school in Dorset.As a Teaching Assistant, the successful applicant
Reference
TA-Pool-LC-6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£130 - 160 per day
Location free text
Stretford
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Are you a teacher who is beginning their journey into being fully qualified? Then we have great opportunities in Manchester for ECT’s.As an Early Career Teacher (ECT), you will have a crucial role in
Reference
ECTCHM32
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester South PrimaryAuthor
Manchester South PrimarySalary
£31,650 - 43,607 per year + benefits
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Bournemouth
Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and passionate Teaching Assistant to join a dynamic and forward-thinking secondary school in Dorset.As a Teaching Assistant, the successful applicant
Reference
TA-Bmth-LC-6
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£31,650 - 43,607 per year + benefits
Location free text
Weymouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Weymouth
Description
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and passionate Teaching Assistant to join a dynamic and forward-thinking secondary school in Dorset.As a Teaching Assistant, the successful applicant
Reference
TA-Wey-LC-4
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondaryRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching assistants support teachers and students in the classroom. The role is invaluable and continues to grow in importance as school environments become larger and more diverse. In fact, teach
by
West Yorkshire Primary

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Recent reports state that special schools are seeing a decrease in enrollment. Many local authorities aim to integrate more children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) into mainst
by
Adam Davies
.jpg)
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
The festive season and the end of term are quickly approaching! To help you prepare, our Payroll team has shared all the essential dates you need to ensure you get paid before Christmas. Check out t
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job