Story 53

Age: 28

Teaching Experience: 5-8 years

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

I graduated from the PDGE in 2020 and went on to have a very successful probationary year, I received on more than one occasion written positive feedback from parents about the impact I made on their children – I felt like I was finally in a job role that I thrived in and truly enjoyed.

My first round of interviews I was successful and was given supply, nevertheless I had continuous work since around the second week in August, the following year I was successful at interview but no permanent jobs so back on supply, third, fourth and fifth year the same each year with less and less supply opportunities, this year I had to get full time employment in an office as I could no longer afford to wait each day for supply,

I haven’t had a single offer of work since May 2024 and it’s nearly November. This is no way to live, I have completely paused my life as I cannot afford to live independently, it has prevented me from going on holidays and events with my friends and family as I simply cannot afford it. It is a lose/lose situation – if you don’t get supply work or time in a school you are at a disadvantage for interviews as you aren’t aware of the buzzwords and latest training without paying for it yourself (with what income?) then if you do wait around for supply you could go months without any work, it’s not sustainable.

Each and every year I become more disheartened, anxious and disposable.

All I want is a job in the area I studied in. I have never known any other job where you successfully interview for the same role every year and get no further forward.

I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this, most of my former classmates from the PDGE have left teaching now, I’m gripping on to it with the tips of my fingers but there’s only so much a person can take.