
Supply teaching from September: What can we expect?
Despite several months of uncertainty, the education system is poised to return to a new normal where supply teachers and teaching assistants are being welcomed back to the classroom. The government is determined to see all students back for the start of the academic year and get them on track with the curriculum, which will be welcome news for the many support staff who have missed doing the job that they love.
Here’s what supply teachers can expect from the return to teaching in September and how a supply teaching agency can help.
How supply teaching has changed
Supply teaching means providing help to the schools where it’s most needed and that hasn’t changed in light of coronavirus. In fact, the education system may become increasingly dependent on these support workers and teaching assistants as schools head towards a new way of teaching. With schools planning to open their doors to all pupils in September, the teaching community can now begin to prepare for their return by starting with what has changed.
The Department for Education (DfE) has emphasised that the time away from the classroom will have severely impacted some students’ ‘cognitive and academic’ development so you’ll be helping students with learning loss. Since this will be a very confusing and unsettling time, supply teachers may also need to help pupils with stress and anxiety or encourage them to speak to someone about their challenges.
What going back to school means
In their guidance for opening schools, the DfE has announced that supply teachers and other temporary teaching staff can move between schools as long as these educational workers observe a minimum distance between staff and pupils. This decision has not been made lightly since one of the main focuses has always been to limit the risk of transmission, but the choice is one of the many steps intended to help the education system establish a new normal and help supply teachers to return to work.
The Test and Trace method will become a key factor in monitoring the transmission within schools and to ensure that the learning environment remains safe. Where the virus can be traced to a student or teacher this will lead to year groups being sent home, and schools are required to have contingency plans in place should they need to partially close and return to online teaching.
Other measures are being brought in to reduce the movement of pupils around classrooms, and some schools will look to teach pupils in ‘bubbles’ so that there are lower risks of transmission.
Additionally, school administrators and teaching staff have received hygiene guidelines that will help to prevent an outbreak. These include enforcing regular hand washing at designated sanitation stations, more frequent cleaning of shared areas, decontamination protocols and waste management procedures.
How to prepare for the return
If you’ve had some time away from the classroom it’s understandable to feel nervous about returning, particularly if you’re concerned about your health or financial support. Education Support is a UK charity focused on improving the health and wellbeing of teachers and they’ve collated this information pack for supply teachers to help support educational staff through the pandemic.
While your role is to support others it’s essential to know how to manage your wellbeing as a supply teacher, which includes finding the time to do things that you enjoy. Supply teaching remains a great way to teach in the classroom whilst also leaving you time to spend pursuing other hobbies or commitments.
Working with an agency
82% of supply teachers find work through a supply teaching agency and in the coming months these agencies will prove to be an essential contact for teachers, but what should you look for and how do you choose the right supply teacher agency for you?
While supply teachers value having time off between jobs, those who want more consistent work really benefit from an agency’s ability to find short notice contracts. What’s more, agencies can be a helpful source of information regarding legislation and accreditation changes. Job seeking can be a time-consuming task but a good supply teaching agency will take on this role and leave you with more time to focus on teaching. They’ll take the time to understand your career goals and find jobs that align with these whilst providing you with all the tools and resources you need to progress.
Register for supply teaching jobs with Teaching Personnel
Register today and we’ll help you every step of the way, right from getting your safeguarding clearance to your first day back in the classroom. Our consultants are committed to understanding your needs and finding the supply teaching job that is right for you. Still looking for more information? Find out why teachers work with Teaching Personnel.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£140 - 160 per day
Location free text
Chippenham
Job Type
Shift Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Cambridgeshire
Description
Job Title: Secondary Maths Teacher Location: Chippenham, Gloucestershire Contract Type: [Full-Time/Part-Time/Temporary] Start Date: October 2025Inspire young minds through Mathematics? Do you thrive i
Reference
GL-ChpScnMths
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol SecondaryAuthor
Bristol SecondarySalary
£162 - 251 per day
Location free text
Blackburn
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Blackburn
Description
Teacher of French (Maternity Cover) Start Date: After October Half-Term 2025 Contract: Temporary, Maternity Cover Location: Pleckgate High School, BlackburnPleckgate High School is seeking to appoint
Reference
0509FREBB1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondarySalary
£89.44 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Wigan
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Wigan
Description
Psychology Graduate – Teaching Assistant Location: Wigan Pay: Up to £100 per day Contract: Full-time or Part-time, FlexibleAre you a recent Psychology graduate eager to put your studies into practice?
Reference
PSCH GRD TA 0509
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Wigan and Warrington BranchAuthor
Wigan and Warrington BranchSalary
£14.50 - 15.22 per hour
Location free text
Burnley
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Burnley
Description
- Full-time role- September 2025- Experience working with children essentialWe are currently seeking a Behavioural Support Assistant to work at an average sized Primary Scho
Reference
PSBBSA Burn Sept 25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire East PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire East PrimarySalary
£32k - 47k per year
Location free text
Oldham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Science
Location
Oldham
Description
About the RoleWe are seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Science Teacher to join a modern Secondary School in Oldham. Ideal candidate will be passionate about teaching Biology, Physics and Chemistry
Reference
123546758698
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£89.83 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Barnsley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
South Yorkshire
Description
KS1 Teaching Assistant – Primary Schools | Sheffield & Barnsley We are looking for enthusiastic and committed KS1 Teaching Assistants to join welcoming primary schools across Sheffield and Barnsley
Reference
s61828
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
Market related
Location free text
Ealing
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Ealing
Description
Fully Qualified Teacher (FQT) – Key Stage 1 & 2Location: Ealing, London Sector: Primary Job Type: Full Time – Permanent Salary: Pay to scale (dependent on experience) Start Date: September 2025JOB DES
Reference
FQT-Primary- Ealing
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Middlesbrough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Middlesbrough
Description
Supply Level 3 Teaching Assistants Needed – MiddlesbroughAre you a qualified and enthusiastic Level 3 Teaching Assistant looking for flexible work in local primary schools? Teaching Personnel is curre
Reference
MTL3TATS1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£13.75 - 14.50 per hour
Location free text
Blackpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Blackpool
Description
EAL Teaching Assistant in Blackpool (FY4)Are you passionate about empowering young learners to succeed? Do you have a knack for supporting children with diverse language backgrounds? If so, we have an
Reference
OLEALTABLKPOOL56734
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire North PrimaryAuthor
Lancashire North PrimarySalary
£130 - 180 per day
Location free text
Broadstone
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Broadstone
Description
Health and Social Science Teacher – BroadstoneAre you ready to inspire the future leaders of health and social care? A thriving secondary school in Broadstone is seeking a passionate and driven Health
Reference
BS100
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondaryRelated posts

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
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

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Unpacking SEND reform: Where are we now and what’s coming next? A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
What do schools need to know this term? Change is constant in the education sector, and this term is no different. From Ofsted and pay reviews, to structural shifts like RISE and curriculum refo
by
Zuzana Vrtalova
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job