The best way to find consistent supply teaching work in London is to register with a reliable teaching agency. From there, focus on building strong relationships with schools and staying flexible with your availability. This combination works far better than relying on job boards alone.
Yet many supply teachers still struggle with consistency. Schools across London post hundreds of vacancies each week, so it’s not like there’s a shortage of demand. The main problem is that regular bookings can feel unpredictable if you do not have a clear plan.
At OTJR Online, we’ve been placing qualified teachers in London schools since 2006. That experience has taught us how the system works from both sides.
You’ll notice that The Sunday Times regularly covers teacher shortages as front-page news. But these daily supply roles can be hard to secure if you’re waiting for schools to call you first.
In this article, we’ll walk you through our practical tips to get more consistent work. You’ll also find agency insights and job-finding strategies that can help you secure regular bookings and build a steady income.
We’ll start with the strategies that will keep your supply teaching calendar full.
How Supply Teachers Can Stay Booked and in Demand
Supply teachers who get regular work share a few common habits. They stay flexible with roles, respond quickly to their agency, keep paperwork up to date, and understand how contracts work.
So let’s look at what each of these habits involves and how you can start putting them into practice.
Flexible Roles Open More Doors
If you only accept one job type, you’re limiting your options from the start. Schools often need to cover supervisors, teaching assistants, or SEND support at short notice. This means if you’re open to these roles, agencies are far more likely to call you.
We’ve found that teachers who stay flexible tend to get booked more often. That’s because schools value teachers who can step in and help wherever needed. And showing this kind of flexibility can lead to more daily supply bookings.
Even if your long-term goal is a full-time classroom role, saying yes to varied work will keep you visible and in demand.
Keep Communication Sharp
Agencies work fast, so your response time is really important here. In fact, schools often confirm bookings within minutes. That’s why you need to stay alert and reply to calls or messages right away to avoid missing out on work.
We also recommend keeping your agency updated each week. Let your dedicated consultant know your preferred days, the areas you can travel to, and any changes in your schedule. This kind of clear communication means your agency can match you with the right roles more easily.
Master the Paperwork
Your DBS check, references, and qualifications need to stay current at all times. If your documents have expired, schools cannot book you since they need to make sure all staff meet legal and safety requirements. And agencies will always prioritise teachers whose records are complete and ready to go.
A good habit is to keep digital copies saved somewhere you can access quickly. That way, you’re ready to share them the moment someone asks. Reliable teachers with clean paperwork are also the first to get called when urgent roles come up.
Understand Your Contracts
Supply teacher contracts differ by school, role, and length, and these differences affect both how you are paid and how steady the work is.
For example, some roles use PAYE, where tax is taken out automatically. Other roles pay through umbrella companies, which handle your pay and taxes themselves. This can be better if you want more flexibility with expenses or benefits.
Short-term bookings give you flexibility as well because you can choose when and where you work. This flexibility can help you gain experience in different schools and subjects. Over time, performing well on these short contracts can lead to extensions or even permanent roles. For many, this is how they build a steady income in the supply teaching world.
But if you’re after higher pay and more stability without the uncertainty of short-term work, aim for long-term placements.
What Makes a Teaching Agency Worth Your Trust?
A good teaching agency in the UK does three main things. They give you a person to work with, offer roles that match your skills, and support your growth along the way. However, not every agency works like this, so it’s important to know what to look for before you sign up.
Here are the main things that set great agencies apart from average ones.
Signs of a Good Teaching Agency UK Teachers Should Know
The first thing to check is whether the agency gives you a dedicated consultant. This person should stay in touch with you regularly, rather than just when they need someone to fill a last-minute role. In other words, a good consultant takes time to understand what you want, learns your preferences, and matches you with schools that suit your teaching style.
The agency’s operational location is also important. If you live in East London, for example, pick an agency with strong local connections so they can quickly link you to nearby schools with actual openings.
Finally, look at the types of roles the agency offers. A strong agency works with primary supply teachers, support staff, cover supervisors, and SEND specialists. And the wider their range, the easier it will be for you to find regular work.
Support That Goes Beyond the Basics
Some agencies just send out job alerts and leave you to sort things out on your own. But the better agencies let you browse jobs through an app or online portal, like Teacher Tapp or supply teacher dashboards. This makes it easier to manage your bookings and keep track of what’s available.
Some agencies also invest in your development. This might mean offering CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses, giving classroom advice, or helping you plan the next step in your teaching career. We’ve even noticed that teachers who get this kind of ongoing support feel more confident and stay in the profession longer.
Above all, a trustworthy agency will push for fair pay on your behalf. That’s because they care about placing you in roles where you’ll actually do well, rather than just filling gaps to hit their own targets.
Importance of Human Relationships
You deserve more than automated emails and generic job lists. After all, teaching is a people-focused profession, so your recruitment experience should be too. The best agencies treat you like a professional with ambitions (not just a name on a database).
They’ll take the time to understand your experience, your teaching style, and the types of roles you want. After that, they’ll match you with opportunities that fit you well, support your career growth, and help you build a steady and satisfying teaching schedule.
Yes, this kind of relationship will take time to build, but it leads to better results for everyone involved. If your current agency only gets in touch when they’re desperate for cover, it might be worth looking for one that values you more.
Turn Supply Teaching into a Long-Term Teaching Career in London
So, has this article changed how you see supply work? We hoped it showed you that the opportunities out there include a wide variety of schools, roles, and flexible work options.
We’ve seen teachers start with primary school supply roles and then move into long-term or permanent positions. This happens because schools across London often use supply placements to assess teachers before offering more secure work. So if you show up prepared, stay reliable, and make an effort to build good relationships, you can turn those short bookings into bigger opportunities.
We’d also encourage you to keep building your skills along the way. You can have a look at our latest blogs for practical tips on classroom confidence and professional development.
If you’re ready to find consistent work with an agency that actually supports you, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with OTJR Online today, and let’s talk about what comes next for your teaching career.
