Why Long-Term Supply Staff Are Key to School Stability

A consistent classroom setting provides 'certainty' and 'predictability' for children and young people, helping to establish a safe learning environment. Whether due to long-term illness, maternity leave, phased retirement, or hard-to-fill vacancies, schools regularly face staffing gaps that can create uncertainty and disrupt student progress.

These challenges, however, don’t have to spell instability. For many schools, long-term supply staff (educators placed from the start of the academic year through to its end) have become a vital, strategic solution to this problem. When planned well, long-term supply cover provides consistency, protects learning outcomes, and supports school culture.

 

Why Long-Term Cover Needs Long-Term Thinking

When gaps are left to the last minute, schools often resort to a patchwork of short-term fixes that cause more harm than good. Students are left without routine, classroom management suffers, and the pressure on permanent staff intensifies.

In contrast, securing a long-term teacher for the full academic year ensures:

• Curriculum continuity across terms
• Strong relationships between pupils and teacher
• Accountability for planning, assessment, and progress tracking
• Full integration into school policies, culture, and routines

The Department for Education’s 2023 workforce census recorded over 12,000 teachers working in long-term temporary contracts. This number is steadily increasing as schools prioritise reliable, full-term cover that delivers real value. In short, it’s all about ensuring quality teaching and learning are uninterrupted, rather than simply searching for a short-term fix.

 

Creating a Real Impact through Real Placements

Magisters Education have seen first-hand how impactful permanent supply placements can be when made strategically. Earlier this year, we celebrated several standout placements across our partner schools. Supply teachers who began their roles last term have made such a strong contribution that they have now been confirmed as permanent teachers in their schools for this September.

Our teachers have achieved this by embedding themselves within school teams, taking ownership of curriculum delivery, building trust with pupils and parents alike, and delivering outcomes that led to their continuation.

This kind of success doesn’t happen by chance. It happens through early planning, strong agency-school communication, and a focus on matching both skillset and ethos.

 

 

What Should School Leaders Look for in a Long-Term Supply Partner?

Not all staffing partners approach long-term supply the same way. If your school is preparing for September and beyond, look for an agency that offers:

• Early and proactive candidate sourcing
• Rigorous vetting and safeguarding procedures
• Strong subject knowledge and curriculum experience
• Commitment to cultural fit and values alignment
• Ongoing feedback and support throughout the year

When a supply teacher is treated as part of the team rather than a temporary placeholder, they’re able to contribute meaningfully to your school’s goals.

 

How Magisters Education Can Help You

We work with schools across London and the Southeast to place high-quality, full-year supply staff who are ready to hit the ground running from day one of term.

Our approach is centred around:

• Deep knowledge of each school’s needs and values
• High candidate standards—educators who want to commit
• Speed and flexibility in sourcing long-term cover across EYFS, primary, secondary, and SEN
• A people-first approach that values strong relationships on both sides

Whether you’re a multi-academy trust or a single-form entry primary, we take pride in helping you plan your staffing strategically, not reactively.

 

Start Planning Now for September

Long-term supply staff offer schools the rare combination of flexibility and consistency. By planning early and partnering with a trusted agency, you can avoid last-minute recruitment stress and ensure your pupils get the steady, high-quality education they deserve all year round.

If you’re thinking about your long-term staffing needs for September 2025 to July 2026, we’re ready to help.

Contact the Magisters Education team today to discuss your requirements and secure the right staff before the school year begins.