A Conservative investigation by has uncovered that 16 out of 22 councils in Wales have incurred staggering costs of £78,607,409 on agency staff for supply teachers and teaching assistants during 2023/24. Of the 22 councils, 16 responded to Freedom of Information requests, while six either failed to respond or do not collect this data. Additionally, the Labour Welsh Government does not track this reported spending by local authorities.
There is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Wales, with a recent ESTYN report highlighting that there has been a negative impact on education standards due to a decrease in teacher recruitment. Additionally, the ESTYN report also highlighted that a lack of “high-quality teaching” taking place in schools, something that a hefty supply teacher bill will not remedy.
The Welsh Conservatives argue that the millions spent on supply teaching would be better invested in retaining and recruiting quality teachers for the long term, rather than relying on the short-term fix of turning to supply agencies.
Commenting on the expenditure, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Natasha Asghar MS, said:
“The staggering costs incurred by councils across Wales on agency staff makes it difficult to see any value for money from the taxpayers’ perspective.
“There are currently over 40 supply teaching companies in Wales, which shows the profitability of the industry and is a symptom of the perpetual failure by Labour to fill staff vacancies and improve retention in our schools.
“Rather than wasting millions of taxpayers’ money on agency staff to fill gaps they’ve failed to address, the Labour Welsh Government must urgently deliver a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan.”
https://www.eteach.com/jobs?empNo=6095
To become a supply teacher in Rhondda Cynon Taf, you’ll need to obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through a program of Initial Teacher Education (ITE). You’ll also need to register with an agency like Teaching Personnel or Celtic Teachers to find work.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
1. Requirements:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS):This is the primary qualification required to teach in maintained schools. You’ll need to complete a program of ITE.
- EWC Registration:You’ll need to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) in Wales.
- Enhanced DBS Check:You’ll need an Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) that is subscribed to the Update Service or willing to undergo one with an agency like vesrecruitment.co.uk.
- References:Provide at least two referees to cover the last 24 months of employment.
2. Routes into Teaching:
- Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Programs: There are various ITE programs available, including full-time, part-time, and salaried options.
- Educators Wales: This organization can provide guidance on different routes into teaching.
- Welsh Government: The Welsh Government website offers information on teaching roles and routes into teaching.
3. Finding Supply Work:
- Agencies:Many agencies specialize in supply teaching, including Teaching Personnel, Celtic Teachers, and Supply Desk.
- Local Authority:The Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council may also list supply teaching opportunities.
- Online Job Boards:Websites like Indeed and Teaching Personnel often list supply teaching roles.
4. Benefits of Supply Teaching:
- Flexibility: Supply teaching allows you to choose your work schedule.
- Variety: You can work in different schools and with various age groups and subjects.
- Career Break: Supply teaching can be a good option for a career break.
- Experience: It’s a great way to gain experience in the classroom and explore different teaching environments.
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