How Are Supply Teachers Paid?

In this blog, you will learn:

• How Supply Teachers are paid. 
• Whether Supply Teachers are entitled to sick pay.
• Whether Supply Teachers get maternity pay. 
• Where the latest Supply Teacher jobs are and how to apply for them.

Interested in a career in supply teaching but unsure on the provisions around pay? Navigating the rules and regulations around pay can be complex, especially when you throw multiple employment types into the mix.

From eligibility for sick pay to the process of being paid via an agency and umbrella company, we’re here to answer your questions. 

How are Supply Teachers paid?

A Supply Teachers pay is determined by their employer, demand for them within a particular region and how long they are employed for. The main ways in which a Supply Teacher can be employed include, via an agency, directly by a local authority, directly by a school (either maintained or not maintained by a local authority) or on a self-employed basis. 

Supply Teachers employed directly by a local authority or directly by a school maintained by a local authority, such as a community school, are entitled for their pay to align with the national school teacher’s terms and conditions. These conditions are established in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). 

Supply Teachers who work through a recruitment agency are generally paid via an umbrella company. 

An umbrella company will process a payment to the Teacher once they have received this from the recruitment agency. Before a Supply Teacher receives their pay, the usual amendments are made, such as the deduction of National Insurance contributions and Income Tax. 

Are Supply Teachers entitled to sick pay?

Supply Teachers are entitled to sick pay as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. Supply Teachers will receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) but entitlement can depend on the specific arrangements a person has with their recruitment agency or umbrella company (if they are employed in this way). 

The entitlement to sick pay for Supply Teachers should be clearly indicated in the contract of employment that exists between a Supply Teacher and their employer. Provisions that relate to sick pay and periods of absence should be outlined in a Key Information Document. 

To receive SSP, a Supply Teacher must notify their employer of their absence and be absent from work for at least 4 days in a row. SSP is paid in accordance with a Supply Teachers usual pay frequency, for example weekly or monthly. 

In addition to Statutory Sick Pay, some recruitment agencies, umbrella companies or employers may be able to enroll Supply Teachers on an occupational sick pay scheme. This might benefit Supply Teachers by granting them better sick pay. 

When Supply Teachers are employed directly by a school or local authority, they might be permitted contractual sick pay. 

Do Supply Teachers get maternity pay?

Like sick pay, the provisions of maternity pay for a Supply Teacher depend on their employment status. Contractual maternity pay may be available for Supply Teachers who work directly for a school or local authority. 

The rights a Supply Teacher has to maternity pay can also vary depending on how long they have worked at a school. 

Supply Teachers employed via a recruitment agency or umbrella company are entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) but to receive this, they must have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks. This period of time must have taken place before the ‘qualifying week’ which is defined as the 15th week before their baby is due. 

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 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards. In 2024, Spencer Clarke Group was also named Recruitment Agency of the Year.