Supply Teaching: Stepping Into the Unknown
Supply teaching — just the thought of it can be daunting. Imagine walking into a school you’ve never been to, not knowing the staff, the layout of the building, the routines, or most importantly, the children. Where do you even begin? How do you manage a classroom full of students you’ve never met, with no established relationships or behaviour systems to rely on?
After several years of teaching full time, I made the decision to step away from the routine and predictability of a permanent role. I needed a change. Supply teaching offered flexibility and variety, but also uncertainty — and that was scary.
On my first day as a supply teacher, I walked into the school with my DBS in hand, a packed lunch, and all the confidence in the world. “I’ve been teaching for seven years,” I told myself. “This will be easy.”
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
I quickly learned that supply teaching is much harder than it looks. There’s a lot more to it than turning up and delivering a lesson. You need to be adaptable, quick-thinking, and resilient. But once you get the hang of it, supply teaching can be incredibly rewarding.
Here are some lessons I’ve learned along the way:
1. First Impressions Matter
In supply teaching, first impressions can make or break your day — and even future opportunities. You might only be there for a few hours, but how you present yourself from the moment you walk in really counts. The school office staff, for example, are your first point of contact and often the ones who hold the key to making your day go smoothly. A friendly hello, being organised, and showing professionalism all go a long way. Remember: your reputation as a reliable, calm, and capable supply teacher can lead to repeat bookings — and in some cases, even longer-term offers.
2. Have a Go-To Kit
Never assume that work will be set. Even when it is, it might be vague, incomplete, or the class finish it in a matter of minutes. Having your own set of resources — think quick lesson plans, engaging activities, early finisher tasks, a storybook or two, and even some rewards like stickers — can be a game-changer. I now carry a “supply survival bag” with me wherever I go. It gives me peace of mind knowing that if I walk into a classroom with no instructions, I won’t panic. It also helps establish control quickly when you have an engaging activity ready to go within minutes of arrival.
3. Establish Expectations Early
One of the biggest challenges of supply teaching is managing behaviour without having prior relationships with the children. The key? Set your expectations clearly and confidently from the start. Be consistent in how you respond to behaviour, and don’t be afraid to reset boundaries if things start to slip. Children will often test you — it’s natural — but if they see that you’re fair, firm, and respectful, most will respond positively. It also helps to familiarise yourself with the school’s behaviour policy if you can — a quick chat with a TA or another teacher can give you insight into how things are usually managed.
4. Flexibility is Key
You can plan all you like, but supply teaching rarely goes exactly to plan. You might be booked for Year 6 and end up covering Year 2. You might be told you’ll have a full day of teaching and instead spend it moving between classrooms or covering playground duty. Flexibility is absolutely vital. Try to see the unpredictability as part of the adventure rather than a nuisance. Over time, you’ll get better at switching gears, thinking on your feet, and adjusting your style to suit different age groups and school environments. Every new situation adds to your toolkit — and keeps the job interesting!
5. Reflect and Learn
Not every day will be perfect. In fact, some will feel like total disasters. But that’s okay. What’s important is taking time to reflect — What worked well today? What could I do differently next time? Every school and class is different, and no two days are the same. The more you reflect, the more confident and prepared you’ll become. Over time, you’ll notice patterns — strategies that work across different settings, resources that consistently engage students, and behaviour techniques that help you establish control quickly. Reflection turns “bad days” into learning opportunities.
6. Celebrate the Small Wins
One of the harder parts of supply teaching is not having the same children every day. You don’t always get to see their progress or build strong, lasting relationships. But there are still so many little wins that make it all worthwhile. A student who tells you they had fun in your lesson. A quiet thank-you from a TA. A class that asks if you’ll be coming back tomorrow. These moments might be small, but they’re meaningful. They remind you that even in one day, you can have a positive impact — and that’s what teaching is all about.
Final Thoughts
Supply teaching has stretched me, challenged me, and helped me grow as a professional. It’s made me more adaptable, more resourceful, and more confident in my abilities to teach in a wide range of settings. It’s not always easy — and some days will test your patience — but the variety, freedom, and experience you gain are invaluable.
If you’re thinking of making the leap into supply teaching, I’d say go for it. Be prepared, stay open-minded, and take each day as a new opportunity to learn and grow. And remember: just because you’re “only there for the day” doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference.
“A supply teacher isn’t just filling in — they’re showing up, stepping up, and shaping lives in unexpected moments.”
— Unknown
by Emma Reddacliff, an experienced supply teacher and Primary Steps supply expert.
✨ Ready to kickstart your supply journey?
Join Emma-Lee Monday 1st September at 7.30pm for our Kickstart Your Supply Journey webinar — your backstage pass to supply survival tips, classroom confidence, and answers to all your burning questions.
Emma-Lee’s spilling her best tried-and-tested hacks:
✔️ How to win a class over (fast!)
✔️ What to do when things don’t go to plan (because they won’t always — and that’s okay)
✔️ The little tricks that make a big difference
Because here’s the truth: supply teaching doesn’t have to feel scary (promise!) 💪
Walking into a new classroom can feel like stepping onto a stage with no script — new faces, new rules, and sometimes zero notice. But guess what? With the right tools, you can walk in calm, prepared, and ready to shine from the very first bell.
Think of this as your shortcut to swapping nerves for confidence and feeling totally classroom-ready.
👉 New to supply? Then this one’s for you.
And don’t worry if you can’t make it live — grab your ticket and we’ll pop the replay straight into your inbox the next day. Easy peasy! 🎉