The Pros and Cons of Long-Term Supply vs. Permanent Teaching Roles
When looking for your next teaching role, you might wonder whether to take a long-term supply position or hold out for a permanent contract. Both options have clear benefits — and potential drawbacks.
At Dunbar Education, we place teachers in both long-term supply and permanent roles every week. Here’s our honest breakdown of the pros and cons of each to help you make the right choice.
Long-Term Supply Roles
Long-term supply means working in one school for an extended period (usually a term or more), without being employed permanently by the school.
Pros of Long-Term Supply
- Flexibility: You can finish at the end of a contract and explore other opportunities.
- Experience: Great way to build up classroom confidence and try different schools.
- Foot in the door: Many of our supply teachers are later offered permanent posts after proving themselves.
Variety: If you’re not sure where you want to settle, supply lets you “test drive” schools.
Cons of Long-Term SupplyCons of Long-Term Supply
- Less security: Contracts can end suddenly if circumstances change.
- Pay differences: Some supply roles pay daily rather than monthly, which can affect budgeting.
- Limited benefits: You may not get the same access to CPD or induction support as permanent staff.
Uncertainty: If you want long-term stability, supply can feel less secure.
Permanent roles mean you’re employed directly by the school, usually on a full-time contract with standard teacher pay scales and benefits.
Pros of Permanent Roles
- Job security: You know your role continues year to year.
- Structured CPD: Access to induction programmes, training, and mentoring (especially for ECTs).
- Career progression: Clearer routes into subject leadership, TLRs, and pastoral roles.
- Financial stability: Regular monthly salary and pension contributions.
Community: Stronger relationships with colleagues, pupils, and parents.
Cons of Permanent Roles
- Less flexibility: Harder to move on quickly if the school isn’t the right fit.
- Commitment: You take on full teacher responsibilities from the start.
- Pressure: Workload can feel heavier with marking, planning, and extra duties.
- If you’re an ECT or early in your career, a permanent role gives you structured support and a clear induction.
- If you’re returning to teaching or exploring different areas, supply can be a brilliant way to ease back in.
- If you’re still deciding where to settle, long-term supply gives you options.
- If you want stability and progression, a permanent post is usually the best choice.
At Dunbar, we often advise candidates to start with long-term supply if they want flexibility, but we also support those ready to commit to a permanent role straight away. The right choice depends on your circumstances and career goals.
How Dunbar Education Helps
We don’t push one route over another. Instead, we:
- Offer both supply and permanent opportunities across the UK
- Talk through your priorities and match you with the right type of role
- Support you with CVs, interviews, and school insight regardless of contract type
Stay in touch so you can switch from supply to permanent when the time is right
Your Next Step
Not sure whether long-term supply or permanent teaching is right for you? Speak to our team and we’ll guide you through your options.
📩 Register with Dunbar Education today: https://dunbareducation.com/register
