First Time Visitor
Find what you need to know about working as, employing or managing a supply teacher.
Welcome to the DfES SUPPLY TEACHING area of Teachernet.
Supply teachers perform an important role in schools and this site aims to help raise the standard of supply teachers and help schools and LEAs get the best out of their temporary teaching staff. From this section you can access relevant material that will explain and support your role in the supply teacher market. Whether you are a supply teacher, work in an agency or LEA, or recruit supply staff in a school, the dedicated pages on this site should be able to provide you with helpful guidance, and directions to other useful sites.
Supply teachers are employed as short term or temporary teachers in schools; usually where vacancies or staff illness means that a replacement teacher needs to be found. They can have a big impact on the smooth running of schools and the education of their pupils. To reflect that importance the DfES has created this site in order to ensure that all those involved in supply teaching can help improve the service that supply teachers provide.
Supply teachers can access self study materials which have been produced specifically for their own professional development. The materials are comprised of five books, designed for supply teachers' independent study. To find out more about the materials and how to use them, visit the ‘Supply Teachers’ page.
Schools can view material relevant to teachers and senior management colleagues who are responsible for coordinating supply cover. The ‘Schools’ page contains statutory guidance on the use of supply teachers as well as useful guidance on managing absence and making best use of supply teachers. In addition you will be able to view Ofsted's December 2002 report on supply teaching and other useful documents that will be added as they become available.
If you work in a supply teacher agency you can find all the information you will need about the Department’s Quality Mark as well as statutory guidance for employment agencies. You might also want to access the self study materials which have already been used by several agencies as part of their professional development programme for supply teachers.
The LEA page provides details of material relevant to LEA colleagues who deal with supply teaching issues. The 'LEA' page offers details of material currently relevant to LEAs, and includes case studies of LEA activities which provide useful advice and ideas on the management of supply teacher markets.
