Newly Qualified Teachers and Supply Teaching

Please note that any reference to the word 'term' should be taken to mean one-sixth of an academic year - Lambeth operates a six-term year model.

Short-term supply teaching (positions lasting less than two terms)

Short-term supply teaching positions cannot count towards towards induction, as the position will not provide you with the breadth of experience, support and assessment necessary for you to demonstrate meeting (or your progress towards meeting) the Core Standards.

If a short-term supply teaching position is extended beyond two terms, the induction programme cannot be backdated, but should be put ino place as soon as practicable, once it is agreed that the position will last for a further two terms or more.

Limit to short-term supply teaching before completing NQT Induction

Whilst you are a Newly Qualified Teacher, you are allowed to undertake some short-term supply teaching in relevant schools (maintained schools and non-maintained special schools).

This is limited to 16 months and is calculated from the date of your first day of supply teaching, as a fixed calendar period - the allowance is not an aggregate of supply teaching days.

Once this limit has been reached, you cannot undertake any further supply teaching (of any duration) unless:

• the position in question (be it full-time or part-time) is of at least two terms' duration in a relevant school, and you are undertaking induction in the position;
• whilst working in a short-term part-time position, you are undertaking induction concurrently in another part-time position; or
• an extension has been granted by the Appropriate Body.

Short-term supply teaching limit extensions

An Appropriate Body can grant an extension to the 16 month supply teaching period for up to an additional 12 months; these are not granted automatically and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If granted, the extension will only apply to schools under the jurisdiction of that Appropriate Body; if you want to work in schools under the jurisdiction of another Appropriate Body, you will need to apply to them for a similar extension.

If you require Lambeth to consider granting you an extension to the short-term supply limit, please contact Dave Coram at dcoram@lambeth.gov.uk with the following information:

• Your name (as registered with the General Teaching Council);
• Your Teacher Reference Number;
• Your date of birth;
• The date of your first day of supply teaching after being awarded Qualified Teacher Status;
• Brief details of the supply teaching you have done;
• Brief details of why you have not been able to start/complete induction; and
• Start and finish dates of any supply limit extensions granted to you by other Appropriate Bodies.

We will then assess your case and, if appropriate, grant the extension.

Long-term supply teaching (positions lasting two terms or longer)

A supply teaching position can only count towards your NQT induction if it is clear from the outset that the position will last for the minimum period of two terms.

The headteacher/principal must also comply with the requirements for hosting induction.

A school has an obligation to start/continue the induction of an NQT, if the position is suitable for induction.

Finding supply work in Lambeth schools

If you would like to find out more about short-term and long-term supply positions in Lambeth, please go to the Lambeth Schools Supply Service (LSSS) webpage.