Story 67

Age: 32

Teaching Experience: 5-8 years

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

I qualified in 2020 after a very difficult experience doing the PGDE and in probation year.

At no point during university was I warned that there was even a possibility of no jobs.

During my probation year I was successful at generic interview, but later informed there was no job for me. I was left on supply. However, I qualified in the middle of COVID, and due to having cystic fibrosis, I was unable to work for most of the year due to shielding. Later on I found out that doing this meant I’m a year behind on the pay scale – you need to work a minimum of 23 weeks a year to move up.Since then I have applied for generics every year. Some years I have been successful but told there are no jobs, some years I have been rejected outright.

I’ve also applied for numerous temporary contracts, but have only been successful at interview once. This has left me mostly relying on casual supply work. This has had a severely detrimental effect on my mental health – I suffer with anxiety and find the day to day nature of supply very difficult. I feel like I am not good enough. I am very close to leaving the profession, as I do not see the situation improving any time soon.