Can You Be a Supply Teacher Without a Degree?

In this blog, you will learn:

• If you can be a Supply Teacher without a degree.
• How Qualified Teacher Status can be achieved.
• If you can be a Supply Teacher without Qualified Teacher Status.
• Which skills make a good Supply Teacher.
• Where the latest Supply Teacher jobs are and how to apply for them.

The requirements to work as a Supply Teacher can be complex. You may have heard acronyms such as ‘QTS’, ‘ITT’ and ‘PGCE’ - but what do they mean? 

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in education and the benefits of supply teaching appeal to you, we’re here to clear things up!

In our latest blog, we uncover whether aspiring education professionals need a degree to become a Supply Teacher and if it's possible to work as a Supply Teacher without Qualified Teacher Status.

Can you be a Supply Teacher without a degree?

To work as a qualified Supply Teacher within a UK primary, secondary or SEND school, education professionals must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Without QTS, an individual will not be qualified and therefore will be referred to as a Cover Supervisor. 

To achieve Qualified Teacher Status, individuals must have a degree obtained through an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme (such as a Bachelor of Education) or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). So, in simple terms - yes, to work as a qualified Supply Teacher, a degree is required. 

How can Qualified Teacher Status be achieved?

To obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), aspiring Teachers must demonstrate their skills, knowledge, and experience in delivering high-quality education and fostering the development of children and young people.

The requirements to achieve QTS in England include a degree of 2:2 or above. Teachers pursuing careers in secondary education should make sure their degree matches or relates to the subject they want to teach. For example, an individual teaching History may have a degree in History or Social Studies. For Supply Teachers working in primary schools, broad subject knowledge is beneficial. 

To obtain QTS, individuals must also have a Grade 4 (what used to be a Grade C) or above in English and Maths. These grades are necessary for teaching at both primary and secondary level. Additionally, a qualification in a science subject is also required for primary teaching.

QTS also depends on an individual passing the Professional Skills Test element of their ITT application. This skills test assesses an individual's numeracy and literacy capabilities. 

The relevant criminal records and health checks will also be undertaken before QTS is awarded. This aims to protect the wellbeing of students while they are under the supervision of Supply Teachers or the permanent Teacher.

Can you be a Supply Teacher without Qualified Teacher Status?

To teach within a school, whether it be on a permanent or supply basis, QTS is generally required. However, depending on an individual's experience and qualifications, there are some alternative routes to teaching.

For example, Teachers who come from overseas may not need QTS to work in a UK school. A school may hire individuals with relevant teaching experience from another country if they can effectively transfer their skills. 

International teaching qualifications may hold up in some UK schools, even if not accompanied by QTS. However, schools throughout the UK may vary on their requirements, therefore overseas Teachers should carry out research beforehand.

An individual could also pursue the role of a Cover Supervisor. A person cannot work as a qualified Supply Teacher without a degree or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, Cover Supervisors are often considered unqualified Supply Teachers since this role does not require QTS. A Cover Supervisor position offers valuable classroom experience that can be advantageous for those considering pursuing Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the future.

What skills make a good Supply Teacher?

There are a number of professional skills and personal attributes which make a good Supply Teacher. Supply Teachers must have strong initiative to ensure that their arrival causes minimal disruption to a class. If a permanent Teacher leaves unexpectedly, they may not have had the opportunity to provide a detailed handover for the Supply Teacher. Therefore a Supply Teacher must use their initiative to maintain a high standard of teaching. 

Supply Teachers must also possess technological skills to enhance their lessons and keep students engaged. The use of digital tools can be effective for creating fun lessons where students remain focused. 

Supply teaching also requires approachability and compassion. Supply Teachers should focus on building positive relationships with students, even during brief interactions. Approachability and compassion will help Supply Teachers create trusting, positive rapports with children and young people. 

A confident Supply Teacher will effectively lead a class of unfamiliar faces, even when new to the school. Students require discipline for effective learning, and a Supply Teacher who asserts authority from the start can create a positive environment that benefits all learners.

Supply teaching jobs for Early Career Teachers

Passed your PGCE but struggling to secure a permanent teaching job? 

As specialists in education recruitment, we work alongside hundreds of primary and secondary schools throughout the North West of England who regularly need Supply Teachers.

Whether you’re looking to build your classroom confidence, fit your new teaching job around existing responsibilities or test the water before committing to a permanent position, we can help you enter the wonderful world of supply teaching. 

We usually find that schools love our Supply Teachers that much, they end up taking them on in a permanent position. 

Even if you’re not searching for supply work, if you refer a Teacher to us and we successfully place them into a teaching role, you could earn yourself £250 in vouchers! (Ts & Cs apply)

Recruit Supply Teachers

As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with Supply Teachers and support staff across the whole of the North West. If you’re struggling to find cover, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

• Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher 
• Secondary schools - Liam Jones
• SEND schools - Jamie Heath

Meet Liam Jones

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.