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, as well as 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 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 Teaching Roles
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.
Which Option Is Right for You?
- 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.
📩 Reach out to Dunbar Education today: https://dunbareducation.com/contact
