As a dedicated supply teaching assistant in England, I have first-hand experience of the precarious nature of my work. Despite being a crucial component of the education system, supply staff often face unstable and unpredictable employment conditions.
One of the most pressing issues they face is the complete lack of statutory protections when it comes to advance bookings by schools.

Schools frequently book them weeks in advance, creating an illusion of security. However, they reserve the right to cancel these bookings at the last minute, leaving the supply teacher or teaching assistant without work and income.

This problem is widespread, with many of my colleagues experiencing similar situations. We are left financially vulnerable and unable to plan our lives, as a last-minute cancellation can cause our income to vanish overnight. This issue is particularly daunting as mortgage payments, rent, and other bills need to be paid, whether a job is cancelled or not.

The Department for Education need to urgently implement statutory regulations to protect supply staff from last-minute work cancellations. A minimum mandatory notice period should be established, and a standardised cancellation fee should be imposed on schools that cancel pre-arranged bookings at short notice. These regulations would assure supply teachers and teaching assistants that they will be compensated for their preparation and commitment, even if circumstances change.

According to data from the National Supply Teachers Network, there are over 73,000 supply teachers in England and Wales, all of whom contribute significantly to the education system. Despite their importance to the education system, they are often marginalized and overlooked in policy decisions. Ensuring their protection means safeguarding the quality of education that our children receive.

This petition is very personal because I believe it's unjust for teachers and teaching assistants, who dedicate their lives to teaching and nurturing the next generation, to be subjected to such erratic working conditions. A simple directive could make a monumental difference in the livelihoods of supply staff and, subsequently, in the educational experiences of students across the nation. I turned down other long-term opportunities because I was dedicated to the school I had worked at during the summer term and happy to accept the booking of returning. When I got to the school on my first day back, I was told by the SENCO and office staff that I was no longer needed. Now, I can’t pay my mortgage next week because my promised work has been cancelled. I never want anyone else to go through what I have had to endure.

This petition calls for the Secretary of State for Education to take immediate action to foster a fair and secure working environment for supply teachers and teaching assistants, ensuring a stable, high-quality educational future for all.