Our educators have offered invaluable insights into the 'Why Temp Work Works' campaign led by the REC, highlighting the positive impact flexible contracts have had on their professional growth. Teachers have shared how temp roles provide them with opportunities to explore diverse teaching environments, refine their skills, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. They have expressed that temporary work has given them the freedom to pursue personal development while contributing to the education sector in meaningful ways. Supply Hive is proud to champion such voices in support of REC's initiative to safeguard life-changing flexible contracts.
Lesley Dickens (Supply Teacher) Feedback on “Why Temp Work Works”:
Being a supply teacher has given me back a work life balance. I have been in education for 24 years in various roles ending up as a class teacher. I am approaching my 60s and the workload had become unbearable which began affecting my mental well-being. I requested a reduction in my hours, but due to lack of funding in schools, this was not possible, so I resigned. I do have to earn money and being a supply teacher has given me back my life. I can care for my granddaughter and spend quality time with her and the rest of my family. Also, I no longer feel stressed about asking for a day off for a wedding, funeral, hospital appointment or just because it's what I need at the time.
Being a supply teacher allows me the freedom to work when I want to. I can do the job I love, teaching children, without all the out of hours tasks teachers are expected to do these days.
I get to meet different children on a daily basis, see how other schools work, enabling me to learn more about education, what works well and equally what doesn't. I may go back into the role of class teacher one day so all this experience is invaluable.
Flexible working hours works for millions of people. We are not claiming benefits and are providing a vital service to allow businesses and schools to continue to function at an acceptable level.
Anonymous Feedback (Supply Teacher):
After spending 30 years in primary classrooms and holding several senior leadership team (SLT) posts alongside my teaching role, the emotional, mental, and physical toll on my health became undeniable. I learned the hard way that working from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. five days a week, plus another 5–6 hours over the weekend, isn’t sustainable. In short, I burned out.
Making the difficult decision to step away from full-time teaching and prioritise my own well-being a rare move for any teacher has helped me slowly regain balance. I still love being in the classroom and feel I have so much to offer, especially with my experience in classroom and behaviour management. Now in a supply role, I’m not only able to help overworked teachers by giving them time to tackle the endless paperwork that’s become a staple of the job, but I can also care for my mum, enjoy ‘proper’ weekends and still do the work I love.
The flexibility of supply work has been essential for me. With my mum’s numerous medical appointments that can’t be easily rescheduled and knowing that I sometimes need to take a mental health break which is something that doesn’t always align with school holidays this role allows me to maintain the balance I need. As a result, I can return to being the happy, enthusiastic, well-organised, and calm educator I once was.
Sharon (Supply Teacher):
The flexibility empowers me to maintain a healthier work-life balance, ultimately making me more productive and fulfilled in both my work and personal life.
Sabine (Supply Teacher):
I left my permanent teaching post when my mother became terminally ill. Supply teaching allowed me to spend precious time with my mum before she passed away while providing me with an income. I am very grateful for the flexibility supply teaching has provided me with.
Conclusion:
The views shared by Supply Hive's teachers strongly affirm the REC’s "Why Temp Work Works" campaign, highlighting the immense value flexible contracts bring to the education sector. Our educators have voiced their support for temp work, emphasising how it allows them to maintain a healthy work-life balance, explore diverse teaching environments, and continue to grow professionally while avoiding burnout. Their experiences demonstrate that temp work not only benefits teachers personally, but also enhances the quality of education provided to students.
Thank you to our amazing candidates for sharing your thoughts and feedback on our recent blog highlighting the REC’s 'Why Temp Work Works' campaign. Your insights help us continue to raise awareness of the value of flexible work and support everyone in making informed career choices. We appreciate your engagement and look forward to more great discussions!