What Qualifications Does A Supply Teacher Need?

Supply education is a brilliant career option for teachers. For graduates and young educators, it's one of the best paths for you to secure a full-time role. And for more experienced educators, it offers you variety and the career flexibility a full-time role won't provide.

But there are specific qualifications and requirements to work as a supply teacher. Want to see what they are and what you need to do?

Educational Qualifications

There are many different available roles supply teachers can work. Your education helps determine which ones you will be able to book.

Classroom Teacher

The most important qualification for becoming a classroom supply teacher in the UK is Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

This certification is awarded after completing an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme from a university-led course, such as a Bachelor of Education (BEd), post-graduate courses like a PGCE or SCITT, or a school-based route like School Direct.

To obtain QTS, you must have a degree. And while your degree doesn't need to be in education, it should be relevant to the subject you want to teach.

For primary school supply teachers, a broad range of subjects is often beneficial. While secondary school teachers should have a degree in the specific subject they plan to teach.

Lecturer

To work as a Lecturer, you'll need to possess a Qualified Teacher Learning and Skill (QTLS). This allows you to work with students +16 yrs, in settings such as a college. You can acquire a QTLS through a university-led course.

Teaching Assistant

The entry-level qualification to find work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) is a Level 2 qualification, allowing you to work under supervision.

Teaching Assistants with a Level 3 qualification are highly sought after by schools. And to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), you must possess a Level 4 qualification.

HLTA's are empowered to take on more advanced responsibilities in school settings, including leading the class under the teacher's guidance.

Teaching Assistant qualifications are obtained from colleges, further education institutions, and training providers such as NCFE and City & Guilds.

There are also apprenticeship opportunities for teaching assistants who can work while studying for their Level 2 or 3 qualifications.

Cover Supervisor

Cover Supervisor roles don't require you to have any specific teaching qualification.

But to secure one of these roles, you will need to have a university degree (from any country) and relevant experience (at least three to six months) working in an educational environment in the UK.

Relevant experience includes:

• Previous teaching positions
• Volunteer work in schools
• Completing placements during your ITT

SEN

For teachers or teaching assistants interested in working with children with special needs, there are specific qualifications you can get that will help you secure these roles.

For Teachers:

• NASENCO – for QTS teachers
• Post-graduate qualifications – such as PGCert/PGDIP, or a MA in SEN
• BDA Accreditation – working with children with dyslexia
• AET training – working with children with Autism

For Teaching Assistants:

• Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications – TA's can pursue specialisations in SEN
• Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Individuals with Learning Disabilities
• Level 3 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with Autism

Are you an international teacher?

If you have a teaching degree from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and up to 40 other countries, you don't need to retrain.

You can apply for a QTS in England.

Supply Education Requirements

So, you've got the degree or qualifications? Brilliant ✨👌

There are just a few more legal and professional requirements you need to satisfy to teach in the UK as a supply teacher.

✅ Enhanced DBS Check

All teachers in the UK must undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

This is a criminal background check that ensures you are safe to work with children.

And you can only get an Enhanced DBS through a school or supply teaching company.

Once you have your DBS check, you can join the update service, which will keep your DBS current for up to one year.

✅ Experience in the Classroom

While not always a strict requirement, having teaching experience significantly boosts your chances of securing supply teaching roles.

Experience can come from previous teaching positions, volunteer work in schools, or completing placements during your ITT.

✅ References

Good references from previous employers or mentors are essential.

They provide evidence of your teaching capabilities and reliability. If you haven't worked in education for a while, you will need to provide professional references covering your work history.

If you're new to teaching, references from your training placements or volunteer work will be suitable.

✅ Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Although not a formal requirement, developing your skills through CPD courses enhances your employability as a supply teacher.

It not only shows your passion and commitment to education, but it also keeps you up to date on current educational practices and standards, and allows you to demonstrate specialised skills in areas like SEN, EAL (English as an Additional Language), and more.

How to find and book supply teaching jobs

So far, we've discussed every educational, legal, and professional hoop you need to jump through to work as a supply teacher.

But that's only half the battle.

You still need to find and book the supply jobs you want. While competing with everyone else who has the same qualifications you have. Only you don't have to do it on your own. Humly is a digital marketplace that gives you seamless access to over 3k schools across the UK.

Unlike supply agencies, we'll empower you to find, choose, and book the supply jobs you want to work – on your terms – through the UK's most downloaded supply education app:

• → See every available job, anytime
• → Get matched with every job that fits your preferences
• → Apply to any job you want
• → And never get pressured to work ones you don't

At Humly, we'll put your career in the best hands possible. Yours 🫵