Story 37

Age: 25

Teaching Experience: 2-4 years

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

I finished my NQT year in 23-24.

I was part of the Dundee cohort that were told there were no jobs to be offered out. Only secondary colleagues were offered contracts. Entire primary cohort were put onto supply.

Teacherbooker is an awful system, fastest finger first at 8am every morning. The toll it takes mentally, physically, emotionally and financially is devastating. I have never felt more disposable and replaceable in my life, and I have worked for huge businesses, in that you are no more than a number.

Getting a second job isn’t an option as you need to be available in case work comes up at the last minute.

I have been lucky enough to be on more than one supply list and have managed to get supply work more frequently, however, not all of my colleagues have this luxury.

This is an abhorrent way to treat people. For a profession that literally recognises the importance of self care in the GTCS standards, they have a tough time of allowing it to be put into practice.