Supply teaching

If a newly qualified teacher takes up a supply teaching placement for a term or more, this forms part of the induction period and they have the same obligations and entitlements as any other NQT. The post must involve regular teaching of the same classes and the headteacher must agree, at the start of the period, to take responsibility for the NQT’s induction programme. NQTs should not be offered a supply placement that lasts for a term or more involving only day to day cover of absent teachers.

If an NQT begins an induction programme in a school where they have previously taught on a short-term supply basis, the induction period cannot be “backdated”. It will begin from when the NQT and the school decided to start an induction programme. The start of the induction period does not have to coincide with the start of the term.