Story 28

Age: 24

Teaching Experience: 2-4 years

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

Having worked really hard for 5 years and gaining a Masters in Education, I started probation year in a lovely but very demanding school. I worked well above my contracted hours and put in my heart and soul into this job – as most teachers do. I was unbelievably fortunate to be kept on at this school for a one year contract after my probation year ended.

Unfortunately my school had their funding reduced, despite huge needs for more staff across the school and my contract could not be renewed.

This has meant that I am now on the casual supply list. As it turned out, unbeknownst to anyone, that the council had decided to give supply work solely to ex probationers until the Sept weekend.

It’s hard to see this as anything other than simply breaking every single persons length of service.

I have had NO work from being on the supply list, only securing two scattered days in my old school. I have applied to almost every job and I know I have a strong application as several HTs have read it and returned positive feedback, their only comments being that I will struggle to compete simply due to the volume of applications.

This constant rejection has been incredibly demoralising and I have been left feeling very lost and depressed.

I have had to return to my minimum wage university job. This is so sad as I have a lot to give to this profession, yet I am unable to.