What Is a Supply Teacher?

In this blog, you will learn:

• What a Supply Teacher is.
• The difference between a Cover Supervisor and a Supply Teacher.
• Whether Supply Teachers have to be qualified.
• Where the latest Supply Teacher jobs are and how to apply for them.

In every school, there will be days when the usual Teacher is unavailable, whether due to illness, training, or personal leave - and that is where Supply Teachers come in. Supply teaching offers an exciting alternative to full time work for Early Career Teachers, those looking to fit work around personal commitments and Teachers nearing retirement.

Throughout this blog, we’ll delve into what a Supply Teacher is and the responsibilities, qualifications and skills required to create positive learning outcomes for students. 

What is a Supply Teacher?

A Supply Teacher is a qualified education professional who is employed on a temporary basis to cover the absence of a permanent Teacher. Whether an Early Career Teacher or an experienced Teacher looking to slow down professionally, Supply Teachers come in all shapes and sizes. 

Supply Teachers are often required when a permanent member of staff is on sick leave, maternity leave or has had to step away from their professional responsibilities at short notice. Supply Teachers can be employed within primary, secondary or SEN schools for day-to-day cover or on a longer term basis. 

There are many benefits of supply teaching including the opportunity to fit work around personal commitments, the flexibility of working days, the chance to find a school which aligns with personal values and the opportunity to teach without additional administrative burdens. 

Secondary education recruitment specialist, Liam Jones, said “The opportunity to build classroom confidence is a major benefit to working on a supply basis.”

Liam continued, “Supply work provides the chance for educators to gain experience across many different school settings and it’s a great opportunity to build your skills as a teacher.”

What is the difference between a Cover Supervisor and a Supply Teacher?

Whilst the role of a Supply Teacher and a Cover Supervisor do share some similarities, they are in fact different jobs within the education sector. 

Whilst a Supply Teacher is required to take on full teaching responsibilities when a permanent Teacher is absent from the classroom, a Cover Supervisor is employed to supervise students whilst they work on pre-planned material from a permanent Teacher. This may involve distributing work and ensuring pupils are completing the work. 

A Supply Teacher can take on further responsibilities such as lesson planning and marking, especially if they are based at a school on a longer-term basis. Supply Teachers who move schools on a regular basis do not always have to share the administrative burdens of the role; however they must actually teach a class, rather than just supervise. 

A major difference between a Cover Supervisor and a Supply Teacher is the qualifications required to pursue each position. Whilst a Supply Teacher must have Qualified Teacher Status, a Cover Supervisor may not need a formal teaching qualification. This can depend on the educational setting as some schools prefer to employ Cover Supervisors with a degree or experience of working in a classroom.

Do Supply Teachers have to be qualified?

Generally, a Supply Teacher will need Qualified Teacher Status to work in a teaching role. This status is usually secured by carrying out a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). 

A PGCE equips aspiring Teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively teach children and young people in a variety of educational establishments. A PGCE usually consists of both theoretical study and obtaining practical experience throughout a teaching placement in a school. 

Experience is crucial for Supply Teachers as schools often seek teaching professionals who can showcase success across a range of teaching styles. Some education professionals choose to pursue the role of a Teaching Assistant in order to build classroom confidence before embarking on a career as a Supply Teacher. 

Like any other professional working with vulnerable groups, Supply Teachers must have an enhanced DBS check to ensure they are safe to work with children. 

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.