5 things to remember for your first day as a supply teacher
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Teaching children
can be a daunting thing for anyone, but even more so when it’s a classroom the teacher
hasn’t been in before.
Regardless of if
you’re providing short-term supply for a day or two, or will be sticking around
for an entire term, this is all you need for that first day.
Check out our five
top tips to hook in the classroom and get the children on board with your
teaching methods and approach.
1. Know your key contacts
Supply teachers will often have a named member of staff who
will act as a liaison, and while every effort should be made to get to know
them, you shouldn’t step there.
From reception staff to teachers in the surrounding
classrooms, you never know when you might need their support, so it always
helps to get off on the right foot.
2. Ask plenty of questions
If you require practical information, make sure you ask for
it!
From teaching assistants that can provide the low-down on
the classroom to support staff with knowledge of the timetable, everyone can be
a source of help and support if you ask.
Try to find out how lessons are usually structured to avoid
breaking from routine and make sure you’re aware of any requirements, such as
if there are pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
3. Name tricks
Learning a lot of new names can be a cause of anxiety among
supply teachers, but there are ways of approaching it with a new class.
Don’t be worried to ask pupils to repeat their names, or
another trick is to skip ones if you’re unsure of the pronunciation.
Simply ask if you missed anyone at the end, and wait for
them to say their name first!
4. Be prepared
Get to the school
early if you can as that will give you time to look at the classroom you’ll be
in and to make sure you have the necessary materials for lessons.
Speak to those
responsible for setting over work if it is not in place and make sure you have
classroom essentials such as board pens and a notepad to hand, just in case.
You may also wish
to have a couple of generic lesson plans or activities ready, to fill time
should cover work not be available – Twinkl has a range of these for key stage 1 and key stage 2 which can be used for inspiration.
5. Know the school policies
Most schools will have different policies in place and they
won’t always be the same from school to school.
As a supply teacher, make sure to learn the essentials
around behaviour so that you can manage situations accordingly – be rewarding
and sanctioning pupils as required.
Knowing routines is also important, as pupils may be
expected to line up outside the classroom or wait silently to be seated – following
these rules can make transition into a new environment easier and provide an
early means of taking control.
Interested in applying? You can view all of our jobs here or alternatively you can submit
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you shortly.
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