
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
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Plymouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Plymouth
Description
Job Title: Teaching Assistant – Outreach (Primary & Secondary) Salary: Dependent on experience (in line with local pay scale) Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time About the Role: We are seeking a flexi
Reference
Teaching Assistant -
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Plymouth BranchAuthor
Plymouth BranchSalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Plymouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Plymouth
Description
Job Title: Teaching Assistant (SEN Focus) Salary: Dependent on experience (in line with local pay scale) Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time About the Role: We are looking for a dedicated and compassi
Reference
TEACHING ASSISTANT (
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Plymouth BranchAuthor
Plymouth BranchSalary
£25 - 35 per hour
Location free text
North Yorkshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
North Yorkshire
Description
Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of young people who need support outside of mainstream education? We are seeking a committed, creative, and resilient Alternative Provision P
Reference
EPNYAP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionSalary
£90 - 140 per day
Location free text
Northamptonshire
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Job Title: Behaviour Support Specialists – September 2025 Start Location: Secondary Schools Across Northamptonshire Contract Type: Full-time, Part-time, and Flexible Supply Roles Available Salary: Com
Reference
behaviourspecialist
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£140 - 160 per day
Location free text
Ware
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
PMLD
Location
Ware
Description
Qualified Teacher (PMLD & SLD) – QTS RequiredJoin an Outstanding SEN School Supporting Learners Aged 2–19We are partnering with an exceptional SEN school that has proudly maintained an Outstanding OFS
Reference
teaching
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties SENAuthor
Northants & Counties SENSalary
£90 - 150 per day
Location free text
Northamptonshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Job Title: General Day-to-Day Supply Teachers – September 2025 Start Location: Secondary Schools Across Northamptonshire Contract Type: Flexible Daily Supply / Short-Term Cover Salary: Competitive dai
Reference
GeneralSupply
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£90 - 150 per day
Location free text
Northamptonshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Job Title: PE Supply Teachers (Male & Female) – September 2025 Start Location: Various Secondary Schools Across Northamptonshire Contract Type: Full-time, Part-time, and Long-term Supply Opportunities
Reference
PESUPPLY
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£95 - 110 per day
Location free text
Sunderland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Tyne and Wear
Description
Primary Teaching Assistants Needed – Sunderland and GatesheadLocation: Sunderland and Gateshead Primary SchoolsStart Date: SeptemberJob Type: Full-Time & Part-Time (Long-Term and Short-Term Roles Ava
Reference
sundta
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimarySalary
£140 - 160 per day
Location free text
Hoddesdon
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Hertfordshire
Description
Qualified Teacher (PMLD & SLD) – QTS RequiredJoin an Outstanding SEN School Supporting Learners Aged 2–19We are partnering with an exceptional SEN school that has proudly maintained an Outstanding OFS
Reference
Teacher
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties SENAuthor
Northants & Counties SENSalary
£90 - 100 per day
Location free text
Sunderland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Sector
Primary SEN Support
Location
Tyne and Wear
Description
Behaviour Support Assistant – Primary School, Sunderland (ASAP Start) Location: Sunderland Start Date: September Employer: Teaching PersonnelWe are working closely with a welcoming primary school
Reference
behavsupsun
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees PrimaryAuthor
Tyne Tees PrimaryRelated posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent 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
Special Educational NeedsContent 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
Special Educational NeedsContent 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
Special Educational NeedsContent 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
Special Educational NeedsContent 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

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
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job