story 44

Age: 24

Teaching Experience: 2-4 years

Contract Type: Fixed Term I qualified in 2022 after completing 4 years of a BA Primary Education degree, graduating with a First Class Honours.

During probation I was nominated for probationer of the year in my local LA and was given a fantastic reference, but was informed at the end of the year by the authority that job opportunities were scarce, and that we would all be placed on the supply list.

This left me fighting over supply work, which was few and far between, some months picking up 0 shifts and subsequently earning literally no money. I have since secured a maternity leave post, which has allowed me 9 months secure employment.

This post is almost over, and yet again I will be leaving with an excellent reference, but faced with going back to a 0 hours contract supply list, where I know from teacher friends that work has been yet again scarce.

The mental toll of getting ready day after day, getting ready in the morning in case of a last minute days work cannot be underestimated. It is incredible stressful and utterly demoralising, leaving teachers in an impossible situation where they would be better off on benefits, having spent years training to become a teacher.