Story 26

Age: 25

Teaching Experience: 0-1 years

Contract Type: Casual Supply (through calls, emails, teacherbooker etc)

As cliche as it sounds, I knew that I always wanted to be a teacher from a young age. From the age of 18, leaving school, I spent 5 years trying to get into university to do primary teaching.

Not once did I encounter or hear about the dreadful situation that is the lack of permanent jobs during that time.

After 5 years, going to university and completing an access course to get into teaching, I got onto and completed the PGDE, luckily having amazing placements and a fantastic probationary year. I finally felt that I had achieved my long term goal of becoming a teacher.

The success and joy I felt was like no other. Unfortunately, at the end of my probationary year, like many others, I ended up without a job. It was not until joined the supply list that I realised how truly awful the job situation is for teachers today. Since August, I have spent days, if not weeks, waking up each day to see what work I might get for the day / week. It is so hard to put into words the disappointment felt when met with the automatic ‘this job has already been filled’ email. It is important to also mention – the lack of permanent or fixed term jobs to apply for  – and the immense time spent on applying to any that come around – trying to make my application as great as it can be, to apply for a post which I know hundreds of others are applying to, with little to no chance of being accepted for interview. Even still, when actually invited to interview, always missing out due to ‘lack of experience’.

HOW are teachers supposed to get experience when there are NO jobs and NO supply work to get experience from?? It is ridiculous.

I have been lucky to have had more supply work than others this term, but have friends who have had less than a week, are struggling to make ends meet and contemplating seeking allowances or claiming financial support.

Despite having had more luck than others, my inability to find or secure permanent work affects so many areas of my life – in particular meaning I cannot get a mortgage accepted to move out with my partner due to financial instability.

Something HAS to be done. This situation is ruining people’s lives and life opportunities.