
What Does a Teacher Shortage Mean for Supply Teaching Roles?
The UK is currently looking at the first signs of an imminent teacher shortage. While the Covid-19 pandemic caused more graduates to sign up for Initial Teacher Training courses, now that the nation is finding its feet, this trend is going into reverse. According to Gov.UK, 44,000 teachers entered the education sector in 2021, which is less than pre-Covid years.
In order to address the deterioration in teacher-to-student ratios, supply teachers are swooping in to fill any shortfalls, thus assisting the education system in trying to reach its goals. As a result, supply teaching roles are more valuable and in-demand than ever.
For a supply teacher in the UK, the opportunities are vast. The spectre of a teacher shortage is only set to intensify these upsides. Let's look at a few.
You're one step closer to becoming a permanent teacher
Whether you’re already a qualified teacher searching for the perfect job or still studying towards your degree, a supply teaching role will move you a step closer to taking the next step in your educator career.
If you want to stand out from the crowd to a potential employer, you’ll need to prove that you have the best recent experience and that you are familiar with current developments and initiatives in schools. Time spent in classrooms will refresh your skills and knowledge in this regard.
Simultaneously, this role also creates opportunities to broaden your network and prove your skills. You’ll associate with heads of departments and school boards, and the right contact may just be able to connect you to the right supply teaching job or even one of the increasingly hard-to-fill vacancies for permanent teaching jobs.
You can feed your passion for teaching with added flexibility
If you’re at the point in your career where you don’t want to take a permanent teaching role, the demand for supply teachers means you can continue with your supply teaching role indefinitely! Supply lets you play a pivotal role in improving education while exploring different areas of the education sector. You can use your time and flexibility as a supply teacher to gain experience teaching in different types of schools and specialise in an area of teaching such as tuition or SEN.
Many teachers will keep the same job for years without experiencing any other roles or school environments. While this does offer familiarity, security and other benefits, other educators feel that this permanency will result in them missing out on all the things you can learn.
There's a broader scope of variety
With increased hiring pressures creating thousands of supply teaching jobs, you can afford to be more discerning in your search for the right roles. There’s a wide variety of options out there, both in the private and state education sectors. You can apply for the openings that appeal to you and align with your own goals for education.
For example, if you’d like a supply teaching job in an area close to your home, or in a subject that you enjoy or specialise in, then there's never been a better time to search for that role.
The different types of settings also allow you to test the waters so that you can decide how you want to advance your career. Use this opportunity to gain as much experience as you can, as job market conditions might change.
Looking for a supply teaching role? Join Teaching Personnel
Teaching Personnel is a supply teacher recruitment agency with a keen eye for talent. Our expertise and passion for education allow us to connect the very best candidates to fulfilling supply teaching roles so that schools can function efficiently, even in the toughest of times!
As the UK's leading education recruitment agency, we provide staff to over 5,000 schools every year, delivering a national service on a local scale from our 80 branches.
If you want to advance your career, contact our team or browse our current supply teaching jobs to make the most of a great moment in time for supply teachers.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£83.85 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Barnsley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
South Yorkshire
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant – Sheffield & Barnsley | Immediate & September Starts Are you a compassionate and experienced SEN Teaching Assistant looking to support pupils with additional needs in a reward
Reference
s62931
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Secondary SEN Support
Location
Nottingham
Description
We’re Hiring: 1:1 Core Subjects Tutor Are you passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential? We’re looking for a warm, dedicated, and knowledgeable 1:1 Core Subjects Tutor to joi
Reference
CC17/5NG7
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Nottingham
Description
Core Subjects TutorLocation: Nottinghamshire (NG9)The Role: As a Core Subjects Tutor, you will provide personalised tutoring sessions in the following key areas: English Mathematics Science You
Reference
CC17/5NG9
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£83.85 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Barnsley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
South Yorkshire
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant – Sheffield & Barnsley | Immediate & September Starts Are you a compassionate and experienced SEN Teaching Assistant looking to support pupils with additional needs in a reward
Reference
s62932
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Milton Keynes
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Milton Keynes
Description
Teaching Personnel are recruiting dedicated Teachers and Tutors Are you a Teacher or Tutor looking for a new challenge? If the answer is yes then an exciting new challenge awaits you at Teaching Perso
Reference
BG1705TUTOR2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Leicester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Leicester
Description
Are you a Tutor or Teacher around Leicester area, interested in 1:1 work, then we would love for you to apply!Why work for TP tutors? We are a national company so you will have access to an increased
Reference
BG1705TUTOR1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Bedford
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Bedford
Description
Do you love teaching and have a passion for supporting students, but hate the constraints of the classroom? Then you should consider 1:1 tutoring!There has been an increase of young people who are una
Reference
BG1705TUTOR
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Eastleigh
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Eastleigh
Description
Make a Difference: Become a 1:1 Tutor in Maths, English or Science – Primary & Secondary (Start ASAP!)Do you have experience supporting children in their learning? Are you looking for a flexible role
Reference
Eastleigh4LS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
Worthing
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
West Sussex
Description
Make a Difference: Become a 1:1 Tutor in Maths, English or Science – Primary & Secondary (Start ASAP!)Do you have experience supporting children in their learning? Are you looking for a flexible role
Reference
Worthing5LS
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
South TuitionAuthor
South TuitionSalary
£83.85 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Sheffield
Description
Teaching Assistant – Barnsley & Sheffield | Immediate and September Starts Are you a caring and enthusiastic Teaching Assistant looking for your next opportunity in Barnsley or Sheffield? We’re wor
Reference
s40757
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthRelated 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