Colin - ESP Teacher |
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I have been supply teaching for 4 years but teaching for 30 years in total.
I taught Key Stage Two classes in a number of primary schools, mostly in Berkshire, as well as holding a range of school leadership roles.
Why did you choose to become a supply teacher?
To continue classroom teaching whilst better balancing my teaching with other commitments and reducing my overall working hours.
Experience of supply teaching – has it been what you expected or different? How did you find facing new schools and experiences?
The variety of schools in Devon – from schools with barely two-digit school rolls to ones with many hundreds of pupils- keeps things interesting. I’ve also been able to build up my skills by working with younger classes.
Why did you choose to work with Exeter Supply Partnership?
The scale of the partnership means that communication and relationships between ESP staff, schools and teachers are good. This makes it easier to understand and meet everybody’s needs.
As a supply teacher what are your go to back up resources if there is no planning available?
In the vast majority of cases schools are clear about what they want you to do. My experience means I have some generic ideas and activities that can easily be adapted to different circumstances. I keep some short stories and poems to hand.
What 3 benefits do you think there are to supply teaching/ working with ESP?
What tips/ advice would you give to someone thinking about supply teaching or just starting out?
I taught Key Stage Two classes in a number of primary schools, mostly in Berkshire, as well as holding a range of school leadership roles.
Why did you choose to become a supply teacher?
To continue classroom teaching whilst better balancing my teaching with other commitments and reducing my overall working hours.
Experience of supply teaching – has it been what you expected or different? How did you find facing new schools and experiences?
The variety of schools in Devon – from schools with barely two-digit school rolls to ones with many hundreds of pupils- keeps things interesting. I’ve also been able to build up my skills by working with younger classes.
Why did you choose to work with Exeter Supply Partnership?
The scale of the partnership means that communication and relationships between ESP staff, schools and teachers are good. This makes it easier to understand and meet everybody’s needs.
As a supply teacher what are your go to back up resources if there is no planning available?
In the vast majority of cases schools are clear about what they want you to do. My experience means I have some generic ideas and activities that can easily be adapted to different circumstances. I keep some short stories and poems to hand.
What 3 benefits do you think there are to supply teaching/ working with ESP?
- Teaching in a variety of Devon schools who link in with ESP.
- Good, honest communication with consistent staff to work with.
- The complete flexibility to fit work alongside different and changing needs.
What tips/ advice would you give to someone thinking about supply teaching or just starting out?
- Be flexible and open minded.
- Be very clear and honest about what you do and don’t want to do.
- Even in a short time, try to learn (and remember!) names and get to know the children as well as you can.
