Why ECTs should consider supply teaching
Here we look at ECT supply teaching. Starting your career as an ECT supply teacher gives you the perfect platform to gain real classroom experience. You can this and still get all the support you need to help you through your 2-year induction period. ECTs tell us that going straight into supply work after their final placement is great preparation for the following academic year. You can work flexibly, get an insight into varying management strategies and cultures at first hand, and try out different year groups. You can develop new skills, enhance your CV and enrich your experience in preparation for your next career move. Consider which year groups, skills, or type of school you wish to gain experience in before applying.
Benefits
- Experience – It will give you inside access to a huge variety of schools to
- ensure that you pick the right one for your induction.
- Flexibility – You can build your teaching days around your personal life
- and take full control of work-life balance.
- Variety – You can test drive lots of different classroom settings to see if
- they are the right fit for your strengths.
- Transition to permanent teaching – Once you start supply teaching, it can
- make it easier for you to make the move to a permanent role.
What other ECTs say
“Opting to do supply teaching as an ECT was quite scary, you wonder how you’re going to secure each placement. Whilst some supply teaching assignments can be for just a few days’ cover, others can be for a term or even a full year. I’ve had 6 relatively long-term assignments; it’s been a great way of realising what type of primary school fits my teaching style. The people you work with make a big difference too, you’ll never find out the staff culture until you’re there to experience it. My one tip would be to learn from every role and journal how you feel, it’s a great way to reflect on the year”. Jade, Primary Teacher.
Remember it’s important to choose a specialist education recruitment agency who has expert knowledge within the education sector rather than a general recruitment agency. This is because their school network will have a far greater scope. Additionally, their experience in placing ECTs and knowing how to match the right school to the ECT, will be crucial. Specialist education recruiters often provide additional services such as CPD support, which you’ll find useful.
Given demands on teaching currently, the usual timescales of placing ECTs between January and July have been extended. Check out our ECT website page where you can find an ECT digital toolkit and get in touch if you are looking for an ECT supply teaching post for this September.