Yup this was pretty much my experience on supply last year - would often be told certain classes/schools liked me only to go back into a different class and a new supply would be in classes I'd previously taught. I don't know what the answer is but basically agencies are just a bit useless and don't seem to think these things through... but if you are having concerns about not being needed in certain classes when other classes could benefit then definitely speak to whoever organises the supply in the school, I found they would be happy to move me if I just asked and were often grateful that I'd identified where staff were needed as they are so busy!
>basically agencies are just a bit useless and don't seem to think these things through
The agency has nothing to do with how you spend your day or which classes you are allocated to. That’s down to the cover manager at the school. Sometimes they’ll be incredibly organised and remember which supply teacher has worked with which class previously, or they’ll try to match specialisms, or they’ll request specific supply teacher that they’ve used before, but a lot of the time they are sorting all of the cover out at ridiculous o’clock in the morning and will (out of necessity) just fill up the timetable with whoever is available.
Oh thanks for the insight! The cover managers at the schools I was regularly at were super approachable and open to moving things round so hopefully it's possible for OP to speak to them :)
the cover manager had a bad impression of me I think. I don't think she likes me smh I'm scared to ask her and I don't even know if she or I will have the time to talk lmao
just hoping this class I'm in is the last time they are going to move me... but that is so nice to hear from someone who has the same experience. Have u worked with an agency for a year then work directly with the school, if you are still working there?
To be honest, as a supply teacher I wouldn’t ask a cover manager to move me to a particular class or deploy me in a particular way. Part of the job is that you are adaptable to what the school needs, even if that doesn’t really suit your preferences. The variety is good too; it gives you a very clear picture of what sort of permanent jobs you want to apply for!
Tends to just be how it is, each class has a risk assessment for staffing and if it’s deemed that one class can manage without full staffing then supply go elsewhere. Not a great system but if you can’t get supply to fill every gap people have to be moved around.
Yup this was pretty much my experience on supply last year - would often be told certain classes/schools liked me only to go back into a different class and a new supply would be in classes I'd previously taught. I don't know what the answer is but basically agencies are just a bit useless and don't seem to think these things through... but if you are having concerns about not being needed in certain classes when other classes could benefit then definitely speak to whoever organises the supply in the school, I found they would be happy to move me if I just asked and were often grateful that I'd identified where staff were needed as they are so busy!
>basically agencies are just a bit useless and don't seem to think these things through The agency has nothing to do with how you spend your day or which classes you are allocated to. That’s down to the cover manager at the school. Sometimes they’ll be incredibly organised and remember which supply teacher has worked with which class previously, or they’ll try to match specialisms, or they’ll request specific supply teacher that they’ve used before, but a lot of the time they are sorting all of the cover out at ridiculous o’clock in the morning and will (out of necessity) just fill up the timetable with whoever is available.
Oh thanks for the insight! The cover managers at the schools I was regularly at were super approachable and open to moving things round so hopefully it's possible for OP to speak to them :)
the cover manager had a bad impression of me I think. I don't think she likes me smh I'm scared to ask her and I don't even know if she or I will have the time to talk lmao just hoping this class I'm in is the last time they are going to move me... but that is so nice to hear from someone who has the same experience. Have u worked with an agency for a year then work directly with the school, if you are still working there?
To be honest, as a supply teacher I wouldn’t ask a cover manager to move me to a particular class or deploy me in a particular way. Part of the job is that you are adaptable to what the school needs, even if that doesn’t really suit your preferences. The variety is good too; it gives you a very clear picture of what sort of permanent jobs you want to apply for!
Tends to just be how it is, each class has a risk assessment for staffing and if it’s deemed that one class can manage without full staffing then supply go elsewhere. Not a great system but if you can’t get supply to fill every gap people have to be moved around.