ECT's

We are here to support you through your supply teaching journey and hopefully into your induction year. Your first supply assignment can be a daunting prospect but with the help of our comprehensive Supply Teacher Induction programme, resources and ECT Mentor, we will ensure that you are fully supported and informed.

PT work with hundreds of schools across North Yorkshire, schools trust us to find the right candidate for their permanent and temporary vacancies. We can offer numerous teaching and support jobs to early career teachers, often with access to induction opportunities.

Once you have been accepted onto the team, our consultants will build up an in-depth profile of your skills, abilities and personality and we will promote your profile to our trusted schools.

Our Top tips for ECT’s will be useful for your first supply teaching assignment or when beginning your first teaching role so take a look below.

Be prepared

This is crucial. Find out about the school you are going to, how to get there, headteacher’s name, class teacher’s name and telephone the day before.

Carry resources

Always carry your tool box of resources, you are better being self-sufficient. This can contain stapler, pens, pencils, rubbers, ruler, highlighters, wall stapler, blue tack etc.

Staff-room etiquette

Each school has a different arrangement for tea and coffee facilities. Take your own cup, tea, coffee and uht milk to avoid any confusion.

Back-up resources

Carry a variety of resources that you can adapt and deliver at short notice and to all ages and abilities. This may be one- off activities, puppets, poems, songs for Early Years, quizzes, games and stand-alone lessons.

Leave and handover

Class teachers find an end of day report invaluable. It allows them to pick up the next day where you left off. Don’t dwell on the negatives, focus on the achievements of the helpful children, or those who shone. But do report any serious incidents to both the Headteacher and make a note on the handover.

Behave like a member of permanent staff

You may only be in school for a morning, or a day but during that time, you are the class teacher. Schools like teachers who show commitment and go over and above.

Be confident

School staff are very busy and a confident teacher who arrives fully prepared to take over for the day will be very well received.

Find out the marking policy

Make this one of your first jobs. Find out the marking policy and always mark work, unless school advise otherwise.

Arrive in good time and leave after good time

The earlier you are the better, it gives you a chance to find your classroom, work out where the toilets are, find out about entry procedures in the morning for the children and set up your classroom for the day.

Leave the classroom tidy

Don’t forget you are a visitor in the classroom, leave the classroom as you found it. You shouldn’t be leaving before at least 30 minutes after the end of the school day. It will take you this long to tidy up, mark and write a handover report.

Make good use of your TA

Your TA can be an invaluable tool. Involve them in preparation, use their knowledge and make the most of them for the time you are in school.

Always be professional

This starts with your dress. Men should aim to wear at least a shirt, possibly shirt and tie and ladies, professional clothing. This creates a very good impression on schools, pupils and parents.