Day in the Life of a Supply Teacher in Newcastle
Here at First Class Supply, we understand how daunting it can be to start working as a supply teacher. From wondering what a day in the life of a supply teacher in Newcastle looks like, to what you should expect, and what you need to know before you even start—it’s a lot to take in, and with how flexible supply teaching is, there is plenty of room for questions, comments, and concerns.
There is no typical day for a supply teacher, as it all depends on if you are working at a school short-term or long-term, the age range you teach, and many other factors. Generally, however, you will be expected to arrive timeously to collect the necessary equipment (ID badges, etc), situate yourself in your classroom, set up lessons, carry out lessons, receive feedback from other staff, and pack up before you go home.
The specifics will vary, and if you are at the school for a more long-term teaching opportunity, you may skip steps or have extra steps, such as marking tests and speaking with other teachers or guardians for events or parent-teacher conferences.
Morning Briefing: Starting the Day as a Supply Teacher
In a day in the life of a supply teacher in Newcastle, it is generally expected that there will be a morning briefing with you and other members of staff—this could be the head teacher, head of year, or head of subject, or another member. During this briefing, key information about whom, what, where, and when you will be teaching should be conveyed, and you should have the opportunity to ask questions.
Make sure that you have your Verification Form, DBS Certificate, and Photographic ID (like a driving licence or passport) with you on any assignment you go on, or else you will be turned away at the gates, as outlined in the Code of Practice.
You should be told when the morning briefing starts, but they typically take place any time between 7:30–8:30, giving you some time to prepare and get settled in before the school day starts at 9:00.
A Welcome Pack is Always Useful to Receive
Schools should take the time to put together a welcome pack, or a pack that contains everything that you might need while you are working there. This could include items such as:
- A school map (particularly if the school is very large)
- A timetable for the day (special visits, break, lunch, etc)
- Key staff members (e.g. the designated child protection)
- Emergency procedure
- Behaviour policy
- Uniform policy
- IT passwords you will need
- Mobile phone policy
- Marking policies (e.g. pen colours)
Arriving at a New School in Newcastle – What to Expect
When you arrive at a new school in Newcastle, you should expect things to get busy. As soon as you arrive, you should go to your morning briefing, then settle into your classroom or office to go over the plans for the day. Be friendly with everyone you come across, and don’t be afraid to make conversation to get to know people and get a better understanding of the place while you build rapport.
Starting from 9:00, there will likely be home room sessions for attendance, then students will make their way to their first lessons at around 9:10.
Before you start your first lesson at school, make sure that you:
- Look professional (dress appropriately and make sure you follow school rules and codes)
- Have your lessons plans with objectives, discussions, and goals, and key equipment (if necessary)
- Have your mobile phone, tablets, and other personal devices turned off (unless the school you are going to has a different policy—always be sure to ask before starting work)
- Know who you should contact in the case of an emergency
- Know the school policies—every school will have different GDPR policies that must be followed at all times
- Know the school’s behaviour management policy—every school will have different behaviour policies that must be followed at all times
In the Classroom: Adapting and Engaging Quickly
Once you are in the classroom and students are filing in to begin lessons, the day in the life of a supply teacher in Newcastle will start to get busy. If this is your first time in the school or with the class, it is crucial that you start building rapport and set the tone for the lesson. Depending on the school, you may teach two or three lessons in the morning before lunch comes around.
You will want to be personable from the get-go, connect with students, and make a good first impression with them. Start with greeting students at the door if you can, learning their names, and being approachable, while still being firm and following the set rules. You are probably going to hear “but (previous teacher) let us ____”, but don’t let this fool you—as a supply teacher, it is crucial that you don’t stray from school rules and policies, no matter how tempting it might be.
Break Times and Staffroom Life as a Supply Teacher
During break and lunch, you will likely spend your time in the staffroom and get the opportunity to speak with other teachers. Here, you can ask questions and build rapport to not only be sociable and understand the school better, but also form relationships with other professionals and network.
Any decent school will ensure that there are mugs available for supply teachers to use, as well as tea, coffee, milk, and more to make you comfortable. Other staff members will probably be more than happy to help you out and show you the ropes. If you have been working at the school for a while, you may be asked to be on lunch duty.
Afternoon Lessons: Supporting Students and Staying Flexible
Afternoon lessons can be challenging, particularly as you get later in the day. Staying flexible is crucial, as plans could change, and issues could come up that you need to deal with. Like the morning sessions, there will be between two and three classes, depending on the school and their timetable, so make sure that you have the energy for this.
It’s important to manage behaviour well in all sessions, and support students with their needs. During this time, you may need to be prepared to deal with more troubling behaviour, particularly right after lunch, as many students may be energised.
End of Day: Feedback, Pack-Up, and Next Steps
Finally, the end of a day in the life of a supply teacher in Newcastle comes between 3:00 and 3:30 in most cases, and students will be on their way home. For you, this time will mean tidying up the classroom, making notes on lessons such as the work covered and any issues you encountered for the regular teacher, and handing keys and files back to the front desk.
We recommend that you speak with the person overseeing you, and ask for feedback on your performance to see where you can improve—if at all. Take the opportunity to network once again, and build relationships wherever you can.
After all of this, you will sign out at reception and head back home.
As always, please remember to constantly be attentive, supportive, and complete everything you need to do before you leave for the day—whether it’s marking or tidying up the classroom.
Why Newcastle Is a Great Place to Teach
Newcastle is a fantastic place to teach thanks to its vibrant city life, welcoming community, and strong academic reputation. Not only that, but this city is full of schools, colleges, and universities, which means that there are plenty of great opportunities for supply teachers or full-time teachers.
If you live in Newcastle—or are planning to—you will always enjoy the more affordable cost of living, allowing you to see and experience more of the city and the life around you. Who doesn’t want that?
How First Class Supply Supports You Every Step of the Way
A day in the life of a supply teacher in Newcastle will always vary, and there are lots of factors that will impact what your day looks like. However, it is important to understand the possibilities, and kind out what you can about a job before you go in. Whatever happens, be flexible, expect change, and always do your best.
Thinking about becoming a supply teacher in Newcastle? Join First Class Supply and enjoy flexible roles, local placements, and expert support. Register today!
For more information, why not check out our community support, testimonials and meet the team? We also have information for schools and teachers, and like to keep you up-to-date on news.
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