Angelica Anderzon shares her journey as an Exeter Supply Partnership Teacher

We are glad to work with Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP), a not-for-profit organisation that supports primary schools with their teacher supply needs within the Exeter area.

If you are a qualified teacher and are thinking about a return to teaching, but wish to gain some experience before you apply for posts, then working for ESP might be the stepping stone for you. Read on as ESP teacher Angelica Anderzon gives us an insight here into her experience of working for ESP since she moved to England from Sweden. 

After finishing her A Levels, Angelica worked for several years in various roles in hospitality before completing a counselling qualification at Exeter College. Angelica has always loved working with people and going to work in education seemed a natural progression following her counselling course when she realised that people need support from a very early stage and wanted to work with children to help them to have the best start in life as possible. She completed a Teaching Assistant Diploma Level 3 at Exeter College and gained a Teaching Assistant role at a local primary school in Exeter.
 
Whilst working as a TA, Angelica completed a BA Hons in Teaching & Learning Professional Practice with Worcester University and then trained as a primary teacher with Exeter Consortium Schools’ Alliance, achieving QTS in June 2023.
 
Why did you choose to become a supply teacher?
I applied for Early Career Teacher (ECT) roles; however, I was not initially successful and therefore decided to sign up for supply teaching as soon as I received my QTS certificate in June. This provided me with great experience working in a range of schools covering different age groups.
 
Why did you choose Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP)?
ESP was recommended to me by my teacher training programme leader. I found supply teaching quite daunting initially, however I soon enjoyed going to different schools and teaching different groups of children. I then secured a permanent role working two days per week in one of my placement schools and I now do supply teaching in addition to those two days.
 
What do you wish you knew before beginning supply teaching?
Nothing really stands out because after finishing my training I felt I was very well equipped to go into schools and do a good job. Initially I did feel quite alone as a supply teacher. but then I signed up for one of the ESP networking sessions where I met other supply teachers who were going through the same experience, which was extremely beneficial for me.
 
What is your favourite thing about being a supply teacher?
The best thing is gaining experience of working in a wide variety of schools where you learn lots of approaches and this really opened my eyes to how things can be done differently. For example, it has been so useful to look at various approaches to inclusion and provision for pupils with SEND and this has helped me to further develop my passion for this area of work. 

What are your favourite/most useful resources to use?
I have not really needed my own resources because schools have been very clear about how they want things done especially around continuous provision. Planning has always been provided for the day and I have found this to be very clear.
 
How do you prepare for your bookings?
I have found that it is best to remain open minded and not to have any preconceived ideas about what a school is going to be like. It is good to have an open mind and of course to arrive at the school in plenty of time so that you can be prepared for the day ahead.
 
What approach do you take when you are attending a new school?
It is essential to have a look at the school policies, especially the marking policy, the behaviour policy and the safeguarding policy, all of which are provided by ESP prior to attending a booking, and to ensure that you follow the policies. I have taken approaches from my training into the classroom such as the Rosenshine’s principles. I like to have active classes, a ‘no hands up’ approach and ensure that all pupils contribute to the lesson.
 
Would you say supply teaching is an enjoyable/fulfilling experience?
I have absolutely loved supply teaching! The experience of going to the different schools has been so valuable for me and has added to my practice. It has also given me the opportunity to take different approaches into other schools when a school has been receptive to this.
 
What advice would you give to a teacher who is new to supply teaching/ considering supply work?
If you are thinking of supply teaching then definitely do it! The flexibility that supply teaching provides is amazing and the fact that ESP operate a calendar system as a part of their app means you can choose when you want to work. 
 
How do you manage the uncertainty of supply work and the possibility of not having work on some days?
This is where being open minded about the schools you are happy to work in helps and it is about being brave enough to step into unknown situations and schools. I have been fortunate enough to have been offered all the work that I have wanted, I worked pretty much every day in July and the Autumn Term has been really busy for me.
 
Would you recommend ESP to other teachers? If so, why?
Yes, absolutely and I have already recommended ESP to other teachers, I believe that you are totally the best option out there. Everyone at ESP is so friendly and approachable and even though most communication is done through the app, if I have ever wanted to ask a question or need advice then there is always someone available and they respond really quickly.
  
We thank Angelica for sharing her insights into working with Exeter Supply Partnership.
Interview by Sacha Curtis, Office Manager and Mark Drew, Business Manager

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Exeter Supply Partnership (ESP) is a not-for-profit organisation linking supply teachers and their next job.
 
If you have QTS, a passion for teaching and a desire to move into supply work then ESP are here to help.
Perhaps you are newly qualified and looking to gain experience before joining a school full time.
Maybe you’re looking to slow down and ease into retirement. Or possibly a parent trying to juggle work with a busy family life.
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​Whatever your reasons may be, supply teaching offers flexibility and variety we we’d be delighted to help match you up with local primary schools.

email esp

PHONE esp 01392 927171 OPTION 1

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Exeter Supply Partnership is a Community Interest Company set up by the member schools of 
Exeter Consortium, one of SWIFT's Delivery Partners, who also manage and inform the running of the organisation.