Supply teacher special offer?

esther_n · #1 (**permalink**) 29-10-2010, 03:44 PM

Hi

As I think I might have mentioned in my first post here, i have been out of teaching for quite a few years, and am now ready to get back to it. I have had confirmation today that I am now registered with the gtcw, so am now ready to go. I am registered with 2 agencies, but quite resent the fact that any work i do for them will get me less pay than i was getting in 2002 when I was doing supply through the LEA (who gave now outsourced their supply teahcing to at the agencies).

I was thinking about sending all schools in the area a
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y of my CV with an offer of a days trial teaching for free within a certain time frame.... Eg... Book me before christmas and get a free day. What does the forum think of this?

Also, if i approach getting work this way, what should I charge as a daily rate? Should i charge a weekly fee which works out slightly cheaper? I would be getting £80 through the agency, i was getting £85 in 2002! How would I bill schools for my teaching?

Would i be better off sticking with the agencies for a while, then trying to branch out on my own?

I am sure I have more questions, but this will do for now.... Hope someone out there can help!

Thanks

Esther

janeb · #2 (**permalink**) 01-11-2010, 07:07 PM

Hi Esther,

Agencies definitely take too much money, don't they?
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I now work direct with 2 schools and get paid the LEA rate for my scale point - getting £40 more each day than I did through my agency - so I definitely think you should give direct work a try!
I stuck with the agency until I had established myself and had enough work directly - any direct work took precedence over work from the agency (I had to be a little creative with excuses!!)

I phoned local schools and found out which ones were happy to use teachers direct and then sent them each a letter with a
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y of my CV, asking to meet the Head to discuss supply work.
After the meetings, I followed up with another letter a week later reminding them of my availability (on a laminated card!) and of my contact details.
If necessary, I also sent letters to those schools who didn't use me immediately at the start of the next term reminding them that I was still available!!

I now have the perfect amount of work!

Good luck
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esther_n · #3 (**permalink**) 15-11-2010, 12:36 PM

Apparently my LEA only uses an agency, and there is no way to bypass this..... Is this even legal, i am not getting the proper rate of pay if i work like this am i? It's certainly not fair...... Very frustrating indeed! The next LEA along from me does have its own supply pool so i am going to register with them, even taking into account fuel costs i would still be better off than going through an agency!!!!! That can't be right!

esther_n · #4 (**permalink**) 15-11-2010, 02:06 PM

Aaaaaargh!!!! I've just had a call from the agency telling me that i have been out of teaching too long and am unlikely to get teaching work!!!! Why didnt anyone tell me that before i forked out £81 to join the bloody gtcw???? I might have reconsidered a lot of decisions had i known this........

janeb · #5 (**permalink**) 15-11-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esther_n
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I've just had a call from the agency telling me that i have been out of teaching too long and am unlikely to get teaching work!!!!

Oh, poor you. Have you done anything related to teaching during your years out? I was home-tutoring some of my friend's kids whilst my children were small and the agencies were very happy to accept this experience. I don't think it's necessarily true that you won't get any work though - you may just have to be more pro-active!! If you're registered and have a CRB check, then you're ready to go!

Could you find a friendly head teacher or 2 and ask if you can volunteer for a few days (observing/helping, not actually as a supply) as word of mouth would be a great recommendation!

Don't give up!

esther_n · #6 (**permalink**) 15-11-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janeb
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Oh, poor you. Have you done anything related to teaching during your years out? I was home-tutoring some of my friend's kids whilst my children were small and the agencies were very happy to accept this experience. I don't think it's necessarily true that you won't get any work though - you may just have to be more pro-active!! If you're registered and have a CRB check, then you're ready to go!

Could you find a friendly head teacher or 2 and ask if you can volunteer for a few days (observing/helping, not actually as a supply) as word of mouth would be a great recommendation!

Don't give up!

No, i haven't... Ended up in a horrible admin job, and sort of gave up on teaching for a few years... I am now working as an outdoor/envirommental teaching assistant, soon to be teacher, so i supppose that will count in a while, i have also been in touch with another agency who say they will accept me, and am going to apply to a nearby LEA, so will jsut have to see what happens I guess! I met a teacher last week who remembers me from my supply days before, she seemed to think well of me, so i have given a CV to hwr school, but the LEA uses the agency who have said i dont have enough experience, so I am not aure what will happen there really...... If no joy i will prpbably jaut see if i can do one day a week voluntary in at school!

Thanks for the support you are giviing me, really really appreciated!

Esther

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