Candidates > Working with Us

Working with Us

Availability and assignments

A vital aspect of providing an excellent service to our candidates is maintaining regular contact. Whether you are looking for day-to-day, long-term or permanent work, we can only meet your requirements if you make us aware of your availability as often as possible. This will assist us in finding you regular work. We will presume that you are actively seeking work and will work pro-actively on your behalf unless you tell us otherwise, so communication about your situation is vital.

A mobile phone is an essential tool and is often the best way to gain more assignments. In fact, it is very difficult to operate efficiently without one, however please ensure that your mobile phone is switched off whilst teaching. You should check your mobile phone during break times for messages from us regarding work for the following day.

If you are unable to fulfil an assignment due to illness, it is very important that you call us as soon as possible. If you are leaving a message with our 24-hour out of hour's service, please state which office you are working for and leave clear, precise details (including your name, number and the school/booking details). If you are calling on the morning of the booking, you should call your consultant no later than 7.15 am (we start at 7 am). The more notice we are given, the more likely it is that we will be able to find a replacement. Please be aware, however, that during certain busy times of the year, we may not always be able to find a replacement.

Travelling to School

Prior to your assignment, we will have provided you with all the relevant details regarding the school you are due to teach in. You should arrive at school no later than 8.00 am if you have been assigned a morning or full day booking. Arriving early allows you to familiarise yourself with the new surroundings and to gather important information about the school day. It also creates a very positive impression of your dedication and commitment.

We believe it is essential that you research your travel route before you leave home. Your consultant will give you all the relevant details but we’d also recommend getting further information online or from an A-Z map book. If you are running late for school, please ensure that you call the office to inform us and we will notify the school immediately.

We will not accept persistent lateness but we are aware that it is occasionally due to circumstances beyond your control.

Planning & Preparation of Work

Day-to-Day - Primary: As we will always tell you which year group you are teaching, you will be expected to arrive with relevant teaching material. Some schools will provide pre-set work planned in detail, whilst others expect the supply teacher to use their own resources. If you are unsure, please ask. All schools do expect supply staff to mark any work which they have carried out during the day.

Day-to-Day - Secondary: Work is generally set. For assignments several days or longer, it is essential that you aim to follow the school subject syllabus as agreed with the Head of Department. However we do recommend that you have a few of your own resources and lessons to hand.

Long-Term Assignments - Primary & Secondary: Long-term assignments require detailed planning and preparation. You will probably be planning alongside other teachers in your year group/key stage/subject. Remember to plan your lessons to maintain concentration levels, minimising disruption amongst pupils.

Planning your day

Arriving at 8.00 am will give you the opportunity to enquire about the schools expectations. Spend some time with the teacher in charge of supply and find out the following:

School timetable: Find out when school starts and finishes and the times for lessons, assembly, lunch and breaks.
Break and lunch time supervision: Ask if you are required to supervise at lunch or break times. It is also useful to find out the procedures for a wet day.
Register: Some schools have an electronic register and you will need to know how to use it or to fill out a traditional register. Absence notes may also be given to you, so find out what the procedure is when dealing with them.
School dinners: Most primary schools will have a dinner register. You will need to ask for this and find out whether you need to collect the money (some pupils receive free dinners which are paid for by the government) or make arrangements for pupils with packed lunches. Some schools may require you to take your class to dinner.
Health & Safety: Every school will have a responsible person nominated for all Health & Safety issues and you should familiarise yourself with this person in the event of any issues or incidents arising. ITN Mark will inform you in writing of any Health & Safety issues you need to be aware of before the start of the booking.

Classroom management

A key factor in avoiding incidents within the classroom is strong classroom management and good discipline. A firm but fair approach is often best practice as well as consistency and confidence. There will be certain situations however, that are beyond your control. ALWAYS ask for assistance and do not forget that you are not fully aware of all circumstances in a new school. Seeking assistance is not a sign of weakness!

Please be sensitive about invading space. You must never prod, poke, smack or touch a pupil for any reason, even as a light-hearted gesture. It is not permitted.

Please do not leave any pupils unattended for any reason and also aim to keep noise at an appropriate level.

There should be set procedures for an accident or emergency in every school. Make yourself aware of these procedures and follow them.

Personal conduct

Always have a positive approach! Be cheerful and polite, particularly when dealing with colleagues and senior staff members.
Teach the pupils – you are not child minding.
Provide value for money - you are being paid to solve a school’s problem, not create new ones.
Always mark the work which the pupils have completed during the day.
Keep a professional distance from pupils – some pupils have over-developed imaginations and could easily misunderstand your innocent actions.
Do not allow yourself to be left alone in a classroom with one pupil - always ensure that there is a third party present or that you are in an open area.
Keep to the school’s policy on how to address staff - if in doubt keep it formal. In other words, the pupils should address you by your surname or Miss/Sir.
Never use the pupils’ toilets – no matter how desperate you are!
If you are a technology or art specialist check the school’s rules and Health & Safety procedures when using hand tools, machine tools or kilns, etc. If you cannot get the necessary guidance, then do not do practical work with the pupils.

Staffroom Politics

Please ensure that you always maintain tact and sensitivity when sharing your experiences of other pupils/schools/teaching assignments with other members of staff. You may have much more experience of teaching but do not forget that permanent members of staff may not share your views or opinions on teaching. Be professional. Try not to become involved in school 'politics' even if you are on a long-term assignment.

End of the Day

ITN Mark Education expects all of its teachers to spend a minimum of half an hour in the classroom at the end of the school day. This extra half hour, after the pupils have gone home, should be spent tidying up the classroom, marking any work that was completed during the day and leaving notes for other teachers regarding events that occurred during the day. All schools expect the teacher to remain in the classroom until the students have left or have been picked up by a parent.

Please remember to return all school property, particularly sets of keys to the office at the end of the day. This is a very important aspect of being a supply teacher and if you leave the school after providing all the necessary information and carrying out all the above procedures, you will create a good impression and you will be asked back, by name!

To summarise there are a few questions that you might ask yourself at the end of the assignment. For example, have you:

Managed your time appropriately?
Carried out the normal teaching duties of the mainstream teacher(s)?
Taught effectively and efficiently?
Allowed as little disruption as possible?
Marked all work that you have set where possible?
Left your environment in the same condition as you found it?
Maintained your honesty and integrity at the school?

Should any serious incident happen at the school at which you are working, after you have reported it to your senior staff member, you must then immediately let your consultant know.

Continued Professional Development

At ITN Mark we are keen to assist your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and to help you fulfil your ambitions as a teacher. We will work closely with you from the time of your initial interview and can offer continuing guidance and advice. If you feel you have a particular development need, you may wish to study individually. In this case we can provide you with National Curriculum information or free internet access at any of our branches. Alternatively you may wish to attend training courses in which case we can advise you of local opportunities that particularly suit your needs. Whatever your training requirement we are always on hand to offer support and to help you before, during and after each assignment.

For more details about how we can assist you in your teaching development please speak to an ITN Mark consultant.