Anonymous survey answerSurvey Nº 010

They say in interview about experience, however where and when am I going to get this experience when I am in the constant cycle of doing supply work?

Interviews want experience I cannot get on supply

Published 5 October 2026 · 1 min read

Employment situation: Supply teaching
Sector: Secondary

Daily supply

They say in interview about experience, however where and when am I going to get this experience when I am in the constant cycle of doing supply work?

This is answer 10 of the 269 written answers that teachers let us quote anonymously in the Scottish Teacher Employment Survey 2026. It answers the survey’s last question: what do the people who make decisions about teacher employment need to know?

We have corrected spelling, added paragraph breaks and removed details that could identify anyone. Words in square brackets are ours.

Every answer in the report (PDF) Survey results

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What I find particularly difficult is knowing how many qualified teachers are actively looking for secure work while permanent opportunities remain so limited.

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I now feel I am sitting here with a degree I cannot use and the more time goes on the more I feel a permanent job is not going to happen for me.

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And yet, I still want to teach, I'm still trying to 'be a proper teacher'-because for the past 10 years I've only been a supply teacher.

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