Welcome to Your Teaching Careers Guide

So, you’re considering changing jobs? This could be for many different reasons. We know how difficult a decision this can be to reach, especially if you’re considering a change part way through the academic year. 

You might be feeling guilt or fear – but we encourage teachers to do what’s right for them and their well-being even if that means having some tough conversations.

Keep your CV to a maximum of 2 pages in length and give it a crystal clear structure that makes sense to your potential new employer. We see quite a few CVs with lengthy paragraphs for each of a teacher’s previous schools, describing teaching style and regaling the reader with anecdotal stories. We advise saving these for when relevant during the interview stage and sticking to concise key points on a CV

School leaders with vacancies to fill are always looking to employ committed and hardworking teaching staff. They will seek new team members who can hit the ground running to help bridge gaps in learning.

Whatever the role, school leaders will want new starters to understand and commit to their whole school approach.

Therefore, it is really important that you think carefully about what you can offer to the school.

What will you bring to the role makes you stand out from the other candidates? 

Our consultants work hard to get the best rate of pay for you with each of their schools. Make sure when you are registering and meeting your consultant that you are clear about your expectations for pay. 

Take into account your experience and your previous daily rates. Ultimately, it will be the consultant who negotiates the rate with school leaders, and they will fight your corner to secure the best they can for you.

One of the joys of day-to-day supply is the flexibility and freedom it can offer. In fact, many experienced teachers are now seeing it as an alternative to permanent teaching roles to achieve a better work-life balance. 

The prospect of supply can feel daunting at first, especially if you have recently moved to a new city or area. Counter this by visualising what you’d like your life to be like as a supply teacher in a positive way. 

Do you like the sound of working 3-5 days a week across a handful of good nearby schools? By making a good impression, this is very achievable in time. Schools prefer to see a familiar face they can trust coming in to cover their classes. It may take a half term or two, but as you gain day-to-day supply teacher experience, you will get to know the schools you love returning to.

Build up a great relationship with your consultant, and they will put in the word for you that you love it there. Before you know it, you’ll regularly be asked back. 

If you’re looking to work as a day-to-day supply teacher in the longer term, it’s great to still have some familiar settings and faces to work with!

Read our advice on navigating your schedule as a supply teacher, including tips on how to build up a network of schools in your local area.

We’re bound to be a little biased… However, at Prospero Teaching, we think roles in education offer fantastic career opportunities for new graduates.

Why is gaining experience in education so beneficial? Read our post to find out more.