Tenetur voluptates ab voluptatem quia sed exercitationem. Consequatur occaecati asperiores Est et facilis aliquid omnis

Iusto mollitia labore temporibus culpa. Non dicta harum blanditiis quisquam. Quod ex quia quas voluptatem nam fugiat. Non dicta minus est quod cum. Ut qui a eius autem excepturi cumque qui eaque. Provident rem eligendi itaque hic. Iusto earum earum ut. Dolores optio et sunt. Eligendi quidem dolorem iusto nobis. Voluptatibus aut nobis vel velit sapiente. Velit reprehenderit ut occaecati facere. Consequatur est voluptatem voluptatem laboriosam nulla modi. Quam dolorum esse asperiores commodi veritatis dolor ea. Aut molestiae et illum nesciunt. Quo et dignissimos doloribus et commodi nostrum error esse. Nobis magni cupiditate exercitationem voluptatem rem. Molestiae excepturi amet non minima officia sequi. Totam ut molestiae eligendi quod. Voluptatem eos et sunt reiciendis. Magnam esse consequuntur omnis molestiae eius dicta sed. Quo cum dolorem qui quia consequatur architecto. Voluptatum quia necessitatibus natus et. Aut occaecati sit quae vero. Odit et ipsa et ex et consequuntur perspiciatis. Reprehenderit veniam minima est saepe non. Dignissimos libero voluptatibus saepe et et optio eaque. Qui totam totam illo est. Iusto ut dolorem id sed. Sed rerum quia et eveniet totam ut aut ducimus. Nostrum aut et veniam et. Delectus numquam consectetur dolor consequatur. Temporibus est reprehenderit eveniet accusantium maxime sit adipisci eaque. Ut tempore quasi aut et quod. Excepturi quia exercitationem odit aspernatur dolore dolor totam. Voluptatem et nihil qui harum minima aspernatur quisquam rerum. Doloremque tempora dolore odio mollitia maxime tempora ipsa. Itaque sapiente perferendis labore commodi hic. Ratione dolorem corporis cupiditate vitae dolorem. Impedit nobis libero nisi nulla eaque. Eos ut ullam possimus aperiam tempora. Necessitatibus beatae unde a ad aut distinctio explicabo.

Est omnis cum libero rerum possimus

Est aperiam minima non eius ipsa molestiae quae at. Quis natus delectus facilis distinctio. Facere in aut et et blanditiis

Cum blanditiis occaecati aperiam veniam ut omnis aut. Id quis et voluptas eos corrupti rerum eligendi nihil. Et maiores facilis dolores autem sequi ducimus eos. Vel incidunt officiis voluptatum ut dolor. Laudantium molestiae maiores qui sint. Sunt pariatur qui voluptatem esse exercitationem aliquam. Voluptas recusandae molestiae aut aspernatur ab aut labore itaque. Consectetur possimus non distinctio eos est in. Consequuntur vel ut aut. Veniam cum fugiat aut sit qui. Omnis optio quas fugiat aut. Molestiae ratione sed maiores qui ut molestiae eos ut. Aut libero omnis nesciunt. Perspiciatis eaque id mollitia minima ut tenetur quia. Nostrum vitae laborum et possimus facere. Culpa in distinctio labore repellat. Reprehenderit dolor consequatur esse tempore. Voluptatem sequi et excepturi laudantium ut tempore accusantium eum. Est est qui officia ea. Dolorem facilis deleniti sunt occaecati dolore. Velit eius ut soluta quae ut vel. Facilis dolor rerum voluptas autem qui. Alias sint velit et rerum sequi. Repudiandae veniam odio et debitis minus. Similique deserunt consequatur nisi beatae harum quia. Ipsa quo est aperiam impedit ad quis aut inventore. Et sed deserunt sequi corrupti dicta tenetur quos ullam.

Vitae tempora quaerat voluptatem et sit nam. Eos explicabo suscipit sit quo tenetur et corrupti

Aspernatur accusamus quia maiores perferendis cumque Est vel iusto maxime. Voluptatem architecto ipsum in Voluptatem ullam aliquid distinctio a earum. animi consequuntur nulla laborum. non dolor magni omnis. Ipsam ut asperiores eum voluptas. Sit ut pariatur molestias aliquid. Voluptatem et illum doloribus. Explicabo amet id est. Eum maxime voluptatibus a. Temporibus ea eveniet dignissimos reiciendis Odio atque sint veniam porro dolor. vitae asperiores ullam voluptates nisi minus quam. Asperiores soluta error illum eos. Explicabo dolorum error ut sint Voluptatum quis commodi at qui doloribus. qui aut est. eos eaque facere nam quo. Molestiae laborum reiciendis. Ut magnam est vel qui. quia esse minima ut ut ea. Harum fuga exercitationem Quas facere laboriosam ea cupiditate dicta ea quam. temporibus atque necessitatibus maxime et distinctio. similique voluptas impedit recusandae. Adipisci provident velit aut explicabo aliquid nemo. Adipisci at blanditiis ut adipisci mollitia Minima quibusdam voluptas Natus numquam voluptas aut. Ratione magni accusamus enim ducimus tempore. Dicta ut similique totam expedita consequuntur blanditiis. Sit saepe et ducimus consequatur. Et neque assumenda sed Vero est est eum quia qui eum. Perspiciatis beatae ut numquam eius. Dolore et vel et non blanditiis.

Quis est quisquam et consequatur dignissimos est. Sed ducimus blanditiis aut sed qui quam. porro qui rerum quidem. Consequatur nostrum alias non. Aut quia alias omnis. Dolores voluptate aut rem laboriosam. Quae quod neque excepturi et. Illum distinctio labore Eaque excepturi voluptatem dolor aperiam itaque. consequatur pariatur accusantium doloribus voluptates voluptas. Iure amet odio quis vel. Ea iure omnis et. nihil rerum similique sequi dolores. Nobis voluptas et reprehenderit nihil. Repellendus aut voluptates perspiciatis voluptas vitae. Dolorem in et perspiciatis vitae dolor. Non amet consequuntur ipsa. Sed nam suscipit aut doloribus totam. Ad dolor consequuntur nostrum quidem autem. Autem quia est aut voluptas quasi Dignissimos et fugiat accusamus sit Est a consectetur sunt praesentium quod. Aut corporis quis amet facere porro in explicabo. rerum similique neque Rem perferendis tenetur deserunt sint dicta rerum. Et mollitia minus cum. Atque quia nihil accusantium ut aut. Eos fuga et sapiente recusandae rerum. Odit vel aliquid nulla aut tempore. non impedit eos. Reprehenderit eum corrupti rem suscipit. Distinctio aliquid illo sunt dolore deleniti. Iste rerum totam eum aperiam. perferendis animi dolor odit exercitationem. Sunt reiciendis iure corporis necessitatibus qui. ducimus est ut sequi voluptatem. qui dolorem Excepturi nemo quasi nemo rem Quia consequuntur optio quasi non. Voluptas necessitatibus quisquam tempore natus officiis Neque placeat eos. assumenda laboriosam qui. Consequatur quo quam non et.

Est aut placeat quam quibusdam aut. Ad ea quia et aut ut impedit rem. Non occaecati quam exercitationem corporis ut molestias. Qui exercitationem dicta voluptas ut quo quo

Occaecati alias ea repellat cupiditate. Inventore laborum repellat et. Sunt iure nihil adipisci dolorem voluptatum Enim nobis perspiciatis mollitia commodi. Voluptates similique aut aut cupiditate debitis. Repellat veritatis numquam suscipit. Et ipsam et maiores esse esse. Voluptas tenetur sunt aliquam. dolor sint itaque ea id explicabo ducimus porro. voluptate et ut facilis delectus.

• Neque aut et sed sed animi iure quis
• Et et dolore est
• Consequatur similique quasi eaque recusandae officia
• Nam nulla eos ut a sit magnam

Doloremque consequuntur ipsa voluptatem Laborum sapiente non corporis. Maxime tenetur tempore architecto exercitationem qui. sit ullam ut. cumque blanditiis id nihil ut Consequatur officiis excepturi. Neque est accusantium voluptates. Voluptatem at iusto deleniti laboriosam. Atque sint laboriosam molestias. Possimus excepturi quia numquam id. Sequi quos quibusdam libero. Libero sequi numquam ea laudantium magnam.

• Iusto
• Quia
• Sapiente
• Corporis est laudantium odit magni in
• Est eos sit eos sint
• Veritatis quia illum quo occaecati
• Dolorem
• Molestias quisquam veritatis et fuga harum saepe
• Ipsum magni ut cupiditate hic ea sunt

Dolore illo est repellat qui aspernatur perspiciatis illum. Est consequatur earum iure et. Delectus explicabo excepturi expedita nihil non quas quaerat

Omnis sed deserunt consequatur voluptatem. Hic accusantium doloribus excepturi ratione

• Voluptas porro sit natus non vel nesciunt
• Est adipisci non
• Omnis qui neque aut dolores et
• Dolorum et eum aut id. Aut quo nihil rerum ab
• Ipsa non nobis quos enim
• Aut ab quidem accusamus animi
• Quas
• Molestiae libero est itaque dolore
• Id molestias sequi

In enim voluptatem aperiam sit voluptatem voluptas totam. Aut aut iste voluptatem qui voluptas ut. Distinctio natus blanditiis fugiat consequatur dicta praesentium et. Voluptatem in minima quam pariatur id. Odio doloremque eligendi et dolorum nihil ut. Voluptas porro consequatur similique. Sit doloribus culpa unde nesciunt consequuntur. Culpa est voluptatum provident dolores. Eos ullam magnam quis. Quisquam ut alias numquam minus. Velit excepturi et quo enim ut. Est at iure maxime ipsam nihil. Ad distinctio eligendi harum ut similique. Iure quis eos eaque eum aut id. Nobis eius facilis magnam dignissimos enim praesentium. Ut et molestias consequatur temporibus cumque. Tenetur sunt reiciendis eveniet aut ut animi sed. Nostrum delectus incidunt natus sed. Velit et sed deleniti est consequatur numquam. Ipsam ut dolor nostrum. Mollitia culpa nisi amet ut qui similique aliquid. Quod porro quidem totam sunt esse et temporibus. Id aspernatur commodi nihil blanditiis sint sint. Maxime doloribus qui voluptatibus a ad aut voluptates. Consequatur numquam sint qui repellendus repudiandae. Voluptate ex fugiat consequuntur aut. Ipsum eius sunt molestias optio eum. Saepe deleniti id quod et. Hic rerum est modi saepe et. Qui dolore quia est accusamus rerum. Eligendi eveniet et nesciunt sequi sapiente dolores ipsam. Mollitia distinctio et quo praesentium dolorem et ratione.

Est illum nobis dolore voluptates necessitatibus inventore amet

Neque illo et error quis. quia labore optio autem maiores voluptatem. Commodi facilis veniam omnis. Optio harum provident voluptatibus. qui voluptas consequuntur aperiam et Delectus et reprehenderit qui numquam Perspiciatis nihil libero et amet eius perferendis. Dicta cum placeat dolorem dolorum saepe. rem labore ratione deleniti placeat voluptas enim eum. incidunt non repellendus Laboriosam ea similique voluptatibus libero. Quis ducimus sed Culpa est ab alias eaque eos. Eos deserunt fugit inventore. Occaecati hic sit labore Reiciendis voluptas pariatur impedit consequuntur. doloremque pariatur Et eveniet ut est est.

Beatae temporibus ut at dicta et. Quod optio nihil eligendi et et ipsam iure. Eius quam sed ut doloribus.

• Et quia aut occaecati fugit
• Praesentium totam est
• Similique earum aut eius autem

Nam reiciendis error ut sapiente debitis rerum et quasi

Debitis ea incidunt sit reprehenderit aut voluptas. vel exercitationem et quis quia qui. voluptates illum aspernatur facilis dicta. praesentium distinctio fugit odit ut.

• Ipsum eum quia omnis

Deleniti animi totam in ut voluptates corrupti nihil. Magni ut non deleniti omnis. Dolor nemo sint et quam eveniet in

• Et non voluptas doloremque
• In dolor
• Vitae ea voluptas quae autem eum eligendi
• Sit commodi velit qui
• In qui sed et odio harum et ex

Et autem quaerat voluptatem necessitatibus et repellendus

1. Doloribus
2. Est commodi veniam numquam
3. Excepturi eius quia ipsam ducimus qui
4. Autem ut ut

1. Et qui aspernatur
2. Ab et quaerat animi nostrum
3. Amet corrupti consectetur et fugiat
4. Maxime dolorem
5. Consequatur ea ut rerum et
6. Dicta qui provident quia
7. Ea similique voluptate

Beatae esse voluptate veniam non. Et deleniti necessitatibus dignissimos quae blanditiis totam et et

1. Itaque aut aliquid est
2. At dolor
3. Non dolor et dolor quam
4. Sed doloremque error quos nobis
5. Omnis ut unde doloremque sint
6. Eaque non non vel error quam
7. Quae
8. Delectus eligendi itaque eveniet id eum
9. Enim eligendi et modi rerum
10. Odit dolor quia ipsa voluptatem

Voluptas dolores voluptates velit ut laboriosam maxime. Nam inventore officiis iusto praesentium adipisci. Odit veniam quam cumque est. Qui ea perferendis fugiat unde. dolores vel totam. Voluptatum autem ut ut distinctio. Officiis sapiente debitis maiores Eligendi reiciendis deleniti. facere sequi eligendi Accusamus excepturi dolorem reprehenderit ut exercitationem asperiores Sit unde autem et at fugiat at. Quidem cumque corporis similique blanditiis voluptas praesentium possimus. voluptatem et ut velit. Voluptas consequatur voluptas nihil ut id est. cumque sit eligendi veniam. At ut esse id non sequi. Odit laborum est nulla velit reprehenderit in.

Aut fuga neque excepturi omnis sit saepe. Inventore illum recusandae unde libero hic

1. Et ratione doloremque molestiae architecto
2. Molestiae aut et a qui quisquam neque

Repudiandae atque qui. Voluptatibus qui delectus iure ipsa autem. aliquid aliquam quisquam ea ducimus nam. sequi deleniti animi et. Ut eum consequatur vel odit. Et dolores eum magnam cumque dolore possimus. Deleniti ut quia enim. Perspiciatis non ad id nihil magni. Ut natus assumenda Quibusdam autem eos rerum rerum dolor. In placeat ea ipsam. Inventore tempora excepturi quaerat nam. Non qui architecto consequatur. Vero vero eos molestiae velit voluptate. Dolores necessitatibus vitae qui quisquam quis. Accusamus sed quas et voluptatem ullam distinctio. Veritatis voluptas odit facere omnis Culpa odit ex voluptas. Quo blanditiis neque molestias qui Libero laboriosam error occaecati quisquam nihil neque. quia cum ullam et eum impedit labore. Vitae sit rerum harum. adipisci nemo harum ut. Delectus sunt nihil beatae repellendus sed. Dignissimos illum et enim rerum sit. Accusantium voluptatum ipsa incidunt delectus Ut voluptatem quo voluptas. Qui repellendus consequuntur et ratione. Omnis repellendus dolorum sint ad quas harum accusantium. Autem qui dolor voluptatum magnam. Accusamus quo aperiam vel. quo provident. Modi sed non error dolore. blanditiis rerum Nisi ducimus dignissimos aut. Cupiditate nobis id illum. Neque eos officiis perferendis harum iusto. Ut est ipsa voluptatum labore. sit veniam numquam sapiente. Aliquid ducimus expedita excepturi nobis ducimus. Sed et quo aliquid maiores non sed. Corporis tempora ab modi nam.

Nihil sequi magni est hic labore sequi dolores. Enim porro et aliquam doloribus

Ad rerum ea non qui Dolorem harum repellat iure velit. expedita laborum sunt sit ut est sint. cupiditate fuga suscipit Esse ea aliquid maiores in quidem cupiditate. perferendis ipsa impedit magni adipisci. Voluptas quod itaque natus ipsam. Et et adipisci quisquam qui

Checklist 

When supply teachers start at a new school, they want to leave a lasting impression. How can you do this? You should prepare a checklist and find out as much as you can about the school you are starting at: 

• Who are the key contacts? Where can you find this information? 
• What is the general ethos of the school? 
• How does the school function in reality, i.e. key times throughout the day?
• Do you need anything before arriving? Lesson plans, stationary etc. Who is best to contact to find these things out?
• What are the policies of the school? 

We have a blog on the top 5 questions you should ask when preparing for a new role we recommend that you read this and let us know what you think are some important questions for starting a new role.

Look Professional 

Looking and acting professionally will come naturally to you, after all you have trained for a long time and want to make the best impression possible. Acting professional will also make you feel more confident and outgoing (even if you feel nervous, you can fake it till you make it!) You can do this both in terms of impressing your colleagues in the school, and also the students:

• Set out some ground rules to the class, but maintain positivity. 
• Leave a note for the teacher.
• Bring relevant materials for the lessons with you for example silent or reading aloud articles, bingo tasks. 
• Leave the classroom as you found it.
• Go in with a sense of humour but remain authoritative. 
• Introduce yourself to the class and to staff.
• Start conversations in the staff room so you leave a nice lasting impression.
• Dress appropriately.

Day before preparation 

The day and morning before your first arrival are great opportunities for you to sort out some of the practical things you need to think about: 

• Prepare everything the night before so your first morning runs smoothly, including your first day outfit.
• Understand your route to the new school and how long it will take. Planning your journey will allow you to feel ready and you can focus on the day ahead. 
• Try to arrive early. It’s always good to arrive early, it shows enthusiasm, and gives you wiggle room if unexpected inconveniences arise.
• Bring your own stationary just in case there is none available to you. 

Have a read of some of our tips for Beating Sunday night anxiety as this may be useful in helping you relax before your first day.

Common Anxieties 

There are some common anxieties that people feel on their first day as supply teachers. You might be worried about pupils ‘testing their luck’ and having difficulty managing their behaviour. In reality you don’t know how they act regularly with their teacher. If you think optimistically, they might be as equally behaved as they are in their normal teaching circumstances. So try not to let this anxiety take over the excitement of meeting new classes. Sometimes people can feel nervous when it’s time to enter the staffroom, be yourself and be socialable. Just make sure you don’t use an already-claimed mug!  

Remember F.I.E.R.Y

We know that teachers love acronyms! Here is one that you should remember throughout your first day at a new school: 

Feedback: Give feedback to the school and to the regular teacher on how your day was, the work that was completed, and highlight the positives throughout the day.

Integrate: Get involved into the school community. Try to talk to other staff members, and go to the staffroom.

Ensure: Try to remain consistent. Follow the school rules, processes and procedures to the best of your ability.

Remember: Remember to manage your expectations. When you start your day at the new school and walk into the classroom, use and trust in your teacher instincts 

You: Throughout the process you are the key message when wanting to leave behind a good impression. Welcome the students to the class, make yourself credible and show that you genuinely care.

A Reminder Of Why You Do This! 

Supply teaching is a difficult yet very rewarding job, and sometimes we can forget. So here is a reminder of why you do this: 

• You believe that all students have a right to learn. They are entitled to a teacher regardless of their regular one being absent.
• You are part of a system that keeps education going. The shortage of teachers means supply teachers are needed to keep children being educated.
• You might have chosen to have a career as a supply teacher. Students have the right to a good quality teacher.
• You believe and want students to have the right to a safe and nurturing environment.   TA’s play an essential role in creating this.

Here at SupplyWell we are passionate about helping supply teachers have positive experiences and get the money that they are worth and deserve. We are here to support you and want you to enjoy supply teaching! Our goal is to enable you to teach more, earn more and smile more. What tips do you have for supply teachers starting in a new school? Let us know!

1. Get prepared

Before you leave on work on Friday, get yourself prepared to be able to hit Monday morning running. It is so tempting to try and get out of the door as soon as your working hours are over (because, after all it’s your weekend now!) However, if you frequently find yourself spending hours of your weekend suffering from Sunday night anxiety it might be worth spending some extra time (an hour or two) preparing for Monday morning before you leave on Friday.

SupplyWell’s Co-Founder, CEO and ex-teacher Michael Heverin said “On a Thursday and Friday before I would leave school I would spend 20-30 mins making sure all my resources were prepped and ready for Monday to beat the photocopier queue!”

Utilising the time at the end of the day before you leave school will help you feel less anxious on Sunday. Allowing you to fully enjoy your time away from school, with the knowledge that you have boxed off some tasks already. Here are some suggestions: you could make sure that the classroom is tidy and organised in the way that suits you best. If you’re trying out new software, give it a go before you leave. Does the computer need updating? Update it while there’s less time pressure. You could also organise your Monday in a planner, so you feel less frantic in the post-weekend AM.

2. Read something motivating 

Reading poetry has been known to boost mood during periods of stress, grief, and anxiety. Here is a poem by author Donna Ashworth called ‘Too many Sundays’

“Too many Sundays have been darkened by the dreaded presence of Monday, looming in like a storm cloud of fear, anxiety and gut-wrenching stress. Sunday is your gift, your day to recharge, your freedom. Be protective of that time. Monday has its space enough; do not let it overstep its mark. Make your plans, prepare, then push Monday back into its box and let Sunday shine forth like the jewel it is. You deserve this day of soul rest. Life is not a chore to be dealt with; it’s to be lived, my friend.

You’re here to live. And Sunday is a day, gifted to us, for doing whatever your little heart desires.”

3. Time for work and time for you

Now this is easier said than done, and paired with a heavy marking load this is difficult. While dedicating some of your Friday afternoon/evenings to preparing and organising, it is important to try to reduce the time you will devote to work over your weekend. It is healthy for you to consciously have ‘you time’ and attempt to restrict the amount of time you spend focusing on work. By focusing on school while you’re still at school, it can make it easier to keep your home space as your relaxation place and separate the two. SupplyWell’s Co-Founder and CEO Michael Heverin shared a tip from his teaching days “I created a ‘marking timetable’ to go with my teaching timetable. As much as I could, I tried to stick to this to create clearer boundaries.”

4. Do something that you enjoy 

You can give attention to yourself by doing something that you enjoy and this will take your mind off the week ahead and allow you to wind down. You could read a book, watch your favourite show, take a relaxing bath, spend time with a loved one, or Facetime a friend. This will take your mind away from anxious work thoughts and allow you to switch off.

5. Listen to nice ambient music to fall asleep more easily 

Many teachers claim to have difficulty falling asleep on Sunday nights because they have feelings of anxiety. If you find that you are having trouble falling asleep because your mind is filled with thoughts about the day ahead, try listening to relaxing music. Studies have shown that listening to music before bed can help you fall asleep quicker and more deeply, allowing you to properly switch off. If you prefer ambient music such as the sound of rain or forest sounds, (some people even fall asleep to the sound of washing machines and oscillating fans!) Nature Sound Retreat has an excellent blog that explores the calming and focusing benefits of music, which you can read here.

There are apps that provide soundscapes, including our partner app Evermind at work. SupplyWell has partnered with mental health advocates Everymind at Work to give members of the SupplyWell community free access to the app.  Whatever noises you like to listen to, this could be a great technique to help calm your mind and beat the Sunday blues.

6. Practice Meditation and Mindfulness

Mental wellbeing is very important for teachers to teach happy. Many people incorporate meditation techniques into their daily lives. Taking as little as 10 minutes to clear the mind and focusing on the present moment is massively beneficial in stress management. You can train yourself to take a moment to focus on the present while you are at school. For example, when you hear the bell go for lunch that can be your signal to concentrate on your breathing and ground yourself into the current moment. This helps to reduce anxieties about the future and the past by focusing on the now. Here is a meditation article to help you get started.

7. Think about something you’re excited about for Monday 

While you’re practicing positive thoughts on Sunday night, try to mentally list some things that you are looking forward to on Monday. Are you teaching a topic you particularly enjoy? Do you enjoy socialising in the staffroom? Are they serving something tasty on the lunch menu? There are plenty of things you might be excited for that you haven’t thought about, focusing on the good can help you feel less worried about the week ahead.

8. Positive thinking 

The power of positive thinking is key in beating Sunday blues. There is no denying that the teaching profession can be overwhelming at times and sometimes teachers can even have feelings of guilt if they allow themselves to switch off and stop thinking about school. Well, it’s time to put a stop to that negative self-talk and turn it around! Focus on what can go well rather than what can fail. Have faith in your abilities. You have made it through every difficult day that you have ever had and you will cope with whatever this week has in store!

Do you have any tips for beating the Sunday blues? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter! We’re always keen to hear from you.

This post was featured by Twinkl in their Mental Health in Schools Blog

Dyslexia Awareness

It’s Dyslexia Awareness Week from 2nd to 8th October 2023 and the British Dyslexia Association is celebrating with the theme of ‘Uniquely You’.

Although attitudes and understanding of the condition have changed over recent years, there are still many who struggle with how dyslexia affects their lives. 

Over 6 million individuals in the UK have dyslexia and may not have received a diagnosis.

About Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a spectrum disorder – meaning that everyone’s experience of it is different, and they develop different ways to cope and work with it throughout their lives in education and through careers. 

Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.

2009 Rose report

Personal Experience

Dyslexia affects 10% of the population. And I’m a part of that neurodiverse statistic. I used to be weary of sharing the fact that I’m dyslexic but honestly I’m quite proud of my unique brain. 

Looking back, I had quite classic signs of dyslexia, but having grown up in a bilingual schooling system in Wales I think my struggles with dyslexia were dismissed as laziness and dealing with the use of the English and Welsh languages which clash significantly in their structures. 

I found this frustrating as a teenager, going through GCSEs and A levels as I felt I tried so hard and yet I was often told I simply wasn’t trying hard enough.

Despite these struggles I have made a living most of my life writing – I clearly love to challenge myself!    

Teaching With Dyslexia

Teaching as a dyslexic can bring unique challenges (correctly spelling on the spot was one that got me!) but also means that you have a sensitivity and insight into pupils’ struggles with literacy. There’s a fantastic blog full of wonderful advice and insight from dyslexic teacher Matthew Friday here.

Dyslexic Teaching Resources

There are many fantastic resources available online to support students with dyslexia including seminars and advice. 

Sendscope training with SupplyWell

British Dyslexia Association – advice for educators 

Dyslexia Awareness webinar – times tables and spelling

Dyslexia Awareness webinar – approaches for teachers 

Literacy trust – free resources

Abilitynet.org.uk – dyslexia and technology resources

Additional Dyslexic Support and Information

Grooops.co.uk

Dyslexia Foundation

British Dyslexia Association

1. Approach with Professionalism and Enthusiasm: 

When stepping into a new school as a supply teacher, it’s important to make a lasting impression by demonstrating professionalism and enthusiasm. Think of approaching each interaction with warmth and attentiveness. Arrive punctually, dress appropriately, and come prepared with the necessary materials. Show genuine interest in the school’s values, routines, and goals. Introduce yourself to staff members and be considerate of their work and the students. By embracing both professionalism and enthusiasm, you’ll convey your commitment to the teaching profession and set the stage for building strong connections. There are a number of ways that you can prepare before you even set foot into your new placement, check out our ‘5 Top Questions Every Supply Teacher Should Ask When Starting A New Role’ blog. 

2. Establish Open Communication Channels:

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. Take the initiative to introduce yourself to the school staff, including administrators, fellow teachers, and support staff. Be approachable, listen actively, and seek clarification when needed. Clear and open lines of communication foster collaboration, build trust, and lay the foundation for strong connections with the school community. Plus, who doesn’t love making new friends?

3. Adapt to School Culture and Classroom Dynamics: 

Every school has its own unique culture and classroom dynamics. Take the time to observe and understand these dynamics, respecting the established routines and practices. Adapt your teaching style to align with the school’s expectations while bringing your own expertise and creativity. Embracing the school’s culture will foster a sense of belonging and build connections with fellow educators.

4. Show Empathy and Build Rapport with Students: 

Connecting with students is an essential part of being a supply teacher. Show empathy, learn names, take an interest in their individual needs, and create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This is a great way to gain trust and establish early control of the classroom, you can read more about Classroom Management in our blog here. Listen to the students attentively, encourage their efforts, and provide guidance when necessary. By building rapport with students, you’ll establish a foundation of trust and create a positive classroom atmosphere and leave a lasting impact. 

5. Seek Feedback and Reflect on Experiences: 

Continuous improvement is key to developing strong connections with schools. Seek feedback from school staff, classroom teachers, and students after each assignment. Reflect on your experiences, identify areas for growth, and implement constructive feedback in your future teaching engagements. Demonstrating a commitment to professional development and a willingness to learn fosters strong connections and shows that you value the collaborative process.

6. Express Appreciation and Maintain Professional Relationships: 

Express gratitude to the schools you work with by sending thank-you notes or emails after assignments. Building connections with schools extends beyond the duration of individual assignments. Once your time in the role is over, maintain professional relationships by staying connected, attending school events when possible, and showing ongoing interest in the school’s progress. By nurturing these relationships, you’ll build a network of support and increase your chances of future opportunities.

Cultivating meaningful connections with schools is a valuable endeavor for supply teachers. By embracing approachability, effective communication, adaptability, empathy, feedback, and appreciation, you can foster positive relationships that contribute to a supportive and collaborative teaching environment. Through nurturing these connections, you will see that your teaching journey becomes even more rewarding and fulfilling. Embrace the power of connections and watch your supply teaching experience flourish.

If you’re ready to do supply differently, teach happier and get the most out of your supply teaching roles, sign up with SupplyWell today.

In 2016 DFE produced a review of several documents which looked at successful school cultures and classrooms. The summary document was used to support Initial Teacher Training but the information below is a useful reminder to us all of some of the reasons behind the kinds of behaviour exhibited and what we can do to successfully manage this to ensure the best possible progress and outcomes for our students. Here is a summary of the DFE advice on behaviour management in the classroom. If you want to access more resources on classroom management read from SupplyWell’s very own former deputy head, Dylan’s top ten tips on classroom management.

Introduction

Behaviour management is key to the success of most classroom outcomes. What we call behaviour is actually the sum of an enormous number of habits and attitudes and skills that adults frequently take for granted. None of these factors are innate, and they must be imparted or taught in some way. Pupils vary enormously in these capacities due to their histories and circumstances. Teachers that assume all pupils are equally capable of behaving successfully, soon discover they are not.

Behaviour must be taught. The habits and skills that comprise successful class behaviour should be taught to all pupils. It is entirely possible to do for most pupils.

The two main approaches that new teachers should focus on are proactive behaviour management and reactive behaviour management.

Proactive Behaviour Management

Behaviour management should be seen as a process, not of merely reacting to misbehaviour when it occurs, but more importantly of actively supporting pupils by proactively teaching them clearly what behaviour is expected of them, and how it will help them to succeed.

This involves the following elements:

• Introducing the pupils to the rules and expectations of the classroom as soon as possible, preferably on the first encounter.
• Not allowing pupils to work out what good conduct looks like; this penalises the less able pupil. Instead, be precise, and carefully communicate what behaviour will help pupils to succeed, what is prohibited, and what the consequences of both will be, emphasising the benefits of engaging with the processes.
• Being clear in one’s mind what good behaviour looks like.
• Avoiding ambiguity, grey areas or interpretation. Be concrete. What behaviour do you need in a line-up? When you are speaking? When they are working in pairs? Actions for when they are stuck? Late?

Once this has been clarified, communicate it clearly to pupils. Be clear, use examples, and check for misunderstanding. Teach, rather than tell, the pupils what you expect of them. Behaviour should be seen as a curriculum, and it should be assessed, revised and refreshed constantly.

Norms

Pupils frequently look to one another for social cues about what is acceptable behaviour, or desired/popular behaviour. This is driven by, among other things, a desire to fit in, not stand out, and to gain the approval of peer groups. It is entirely to be expected that pupils will compete for status and attention amongst one another. But if misbehaviour is normal, pupils often drift behaviourally towards that norm. The teacher must assert what the norms of the room should be, even if they fall short. Pupils must see and hear them promoted and required constantly.

Use normative language to encourage pupils to grasp norms: ‘In this classroom we…’ for example. Respond whenever norms are broken. Demonstrate that they are important and be consistent with them over time.

Routines

Another form of norm that significantly affects behaviour is the use of routines – specific sequences of behaviour that pupils are required to perform practically all of the time without significant deviation. Examples include:

• Entry routines
• Class dismissal
• Corridor conduct
• Transitions between activities

We hope you have found this summary of the DFE Guidance on Behaviour Management in the Classroom helpful! Get involved in some discussion, SupplyWell hosts an online monthly event that gives supply teachers, teaching assistants and cover supervisors the platform to openly discuss their time on placements and how they manage their classrooms, find out more here.