I was wondering how "easy" you found getting a temporary job via the aternative route. Any advice would be much appreciated. I need to do 135 days to gain full registration. My subject is mathematics.

Thanks

Paul

Posted by: Paul

(This was posted on our previous discussion forum. It will not be possible to reply direct to this user.)

I have been following the alternative route to full registration and have recently completed the 270 days required. I moved up to Scotland but trained in England. Although I had already been doing supply work for a few months in England I found it hard at first to adjust the Scottish system. (Any supply work carried out in England can count towards the 270 days so make sure you include them in your ‘record of teaching service’) I began by doing short term supply then managed to complete 3 months in the same school. The head was very supportive (arranging regular observations, meetings and providing advice) but I had to leave when the class teacher returned. I then ended up doing short term supply for quite some time until I found a long term supply post which has allowed me to complete the full 270 days. Although I have enjoyed the experience I would have liked more support. Obviously the support you receive will vary depending on the school and the head but I have found it difficult to achieve some of the CPD requirements. For example there were few opportunities to observe/shadow other teachers as a supply teacher and I found it difficult to arrange regular meetings with the head for advice etc. I did contact the council and the person in charge of probationers there was very helpful in providing info on workshops etc. I think it would be helpful if probationers following the alternative route could be assigned mentors as other probationers do, although this will be something for the GTCS to consider. I have enjoyed opportunities to work in many different schools as a supply teacher and it has been a positive experience in many ways but I think you have to do a lot of the work yourself and the support is not always available.

Not easy at all

Hi Emma,

this response is only to say that i have never before encountered anyone with the same name as me!! (Fairgrieve is my maiden name) I'm just wondering if we belong to the same clan?? My Dad's family are from Elphinstone, East Lothian but I have been brought up in Ayrshire where there are no Fairgrieve's.  As well as that I am wandering around the GTC website (wasting time) instead of getting on with my CT submission. It's all too hard! ;-(

Caroline

Hi there,

I'm following the alternative route as I also trained in England. I was told that my supply days in England didn't count so I might clear that up as it would mean less time for me to complete.

I'm struggling to secure a temporary post or get much supply so I took work in a nursery to help pay the bills but after almost a year I'm still no closer to completing it - sorry to sound so negative but I am looking to go back to doing supply and hope to be finished by next summer - fingers crossed :D Does anyone have any tips for completing the CPD? I'm so lost!!

Charlene x

Hey Charlene

How are you getting on now? 

I'm also up from England and I'm trying to get a job teaching Chemistry in the Edinburgh. I'm starting to think that all to blurb on the Teach Scotland website (http://www.teachinginscotland.com/tis/CCC_FirstPage.jsp) is misleading. "......it's a land of great teaching opportunities" is the complete opposite of what I've found. I've not even had interviews for the temporary jobs  I've applied for (even though I've got an Outstanding rated PGCE) and I've been told that Edinburgh has now closed it's supply list. It's frustrating because I've given up good opportunities in England and committed to being here for a year. Teaching wise it looks like a complete waste, particularly with the 270 day thing which effectively rules out the majority of jobs.

I'm now looking much more closely at the independent sector because they seem to be much more interested (especially since I've got 10 years experience in industry). If the supply lists are being closed because of the excessive number of applicants chacing vacancies then I can't be the only one having the hunt for jobs.......

Niel