I joined Zen when my full time teaching job became part time in February so that I could find some work on the other two days. At Easter, my contract at the school ended and I didn’t want to take on another busy position just for a term.

Daily supply teaching has given me the opportunity to have a temporarily lighter schedule than my previous 55 hour working week. It has also allowed me more time and flexibility, while I have been working on applications for a new job and interviewing for different roles. It has also been fascinating to teach in different types of schools and across the primary age range.

"It has also been fascinating to teach in different types of schools and across the primary age range."

During my period of daily supply, I have been working from 8:30am – 4:30pm on average. These reduced hours have meant that I have been able to enjoy picking up my hobbies and interests and had more time to spend with people who are important in my life.

I have also been job searching for teaching positions beginning in September and daily supply has allowed more free hours to fill out applications and prepare for interviews- both of which are time consuming.

Doing daily supply teaching has meant that I’ve been able to have a break from attending weekly inset meetings, conducting parents evenings, putting up classroom displays, completing assessment forms and spending my valuable weekend planning, preparing and marking.

"I have met some wonderful staff and everywhere I’ve worked they have been helpful and friendly."

It has also been both interesting and a learning experience working in different schools across London. I have met some wonderful staff and everywhere I’ve worked they have been helpful and friendly.

The majority of my prior experience is in early years and KS1, so I have frequently been given work in these years.

At the higher end of the school, I have taught year 6. My first day of supply teaching with Zen was with a very well-behaved year 6 class, where all the class jobs, for example handing out and collecting books, were enthusiastically and sensibly carried out by the children. We began the morning doing SATs grammar practice. This was followed by a history lesson taught through a powerpoint about the bizarre medieval justice system, which also increased my own knowledge

Supply teaching affords you the ability to teach and learn more about a vast array of subjects. Each new class I teach is based on a different topic, which allows me to gain lots of experience and try out a variety of material.

Supply teaching has been extremely enjoyable for me and its benefits have certainly allowed me more freedom throughout my day. There is a lot of flexibility with my schedule and I have been able to broaden my horizons both as a teacher and learner.