Your First Supply Teaching Day: A Practical Preparation Checklist

Your first supply teaching day is easier to prepare for when the booking brief is clear. Before you arrive, confirm the assignment, know how to contact your consultant and make time to understand the school’s routines.

This checklist is for teachers preparing for a supply assignment in England. Adapt it to your role and the school’s instructions. A longer placement may involve additional planning, assessment and handover responsibilities.

Confirm The Brief Before Your First Supply Teaching Day

Check the school address, arrival time, contact name, year group or subject and expected working hours. Ask what is known about the timetable, prepared work and duties. If information is outstanding, agree how you will receive it.

• Confirm pay, timesheet and assignment arrangements with your agency.
• Check travel, parking and the correct entrance.
• Ask what identification or documents the school needs to see.
• Establish who to contact if you are delayed.
• Clarify any preparation expected before the day.

A school may need a teacher to cover particular lessons or broader responsibilities. Ask for clarification if the brief changes, rather than assuming all supply bookings involve the same work.

Use The Arrival Briefing Well

Sign in through the school’s process and ask who is responsible for your induction. Find out how to contact the designated safeguarding lead, report a concern and get assistance during a lesson. Follow the setting’s procedures and the guidance relevant to your role.

Ask about behaviour routines, emergency arrangements, room changes, break duties and access to approved resources. Relevant pupil information should be shared through school systems and handled appropriately.

Start Lessons With Clear Expectations

Introduce yourself, use the school’s established routines and explain the task clearly. Check the work you have been given and ask for help where instructions or resources are unclear.

Use pupil names and information only through approved school arrangements. Keep your communication respectful and avoid making assumptions about a class based on a brief handover comment.

If Work Or Resources Are Missing

Contact the designated colleague and explain what is needed. Ask which approved resources or alternative tasks are suitable. Do not use personal accounts or share pupil information through unapproved tools to solve an access problem.

If You Need Support

Follow the school’s route for assistance. Asking a colleague for help is part of working responsibly. Pass on concerns promptly through the agreed process rather than waiting until the end of the assignment.

Leave A Useful End-Of-Day Handover

Record what the class completed, any work needing follow-up and practical issues for the next adult. Keep observations factual and use the school’s approved process. Report urgent or safeguarding concerns immediately through the appropriate route.

• Identify the lessons and tasks covered.
• Explain what remains unfinished.
• Note agreed follow-up and relevant classroom information.
• Return resources and complete sign-out requirements.
• Confirm your timesheet and next booking arrangements.

How Milk Supports Your First Supply Teaching Day

Our Your School Ready preparation draws on a school’s pupils, culture, routines and expectations. We also provide structured handover notes, practical resources and consultant support. Ask what information is available for your assignment and how to reach the person managing it.

The Compliance Plus process includes relevant checks and independent central compliance review before clearance. Recruitment clearance and school induction serve different purposes: you still need to understand the setting when you arrive.

After the day, share useful feedback with your consultant. Discuss what worked, any preparation gaps and whether the setting suited your experience. Milk’s Familiar Faces approach allows educators who work well in a school to be prioritised for return bookings where available.

Explore current teaching vacancies or register with Milk Education. If you are still considering the working pattern, read our supply teaching and permanent teaching comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Lesson Plans Always Be Provided?

Ask what the booking includes. Responsibilities depend on the assignment, its duration and the school’s expectations. Confirm planning and assessment duties before agreeing to the role.

What If My Timetable Changes?

Clarify the revised duties with the school and your consultant where needed. Check that you understand the responsibilities and support available.

Who Should I Contact With A Concern?

Use the school’s reporting route for pupil or safeguarding concerns. Contact your consultant for assignment questions, while passing urgent matters to the appropriate school colleague promptly.

What Should I Bring On My First Supply Teaching Day?

Check the school’s instructions and bring the requested identification, booking details and practical essentials. Ask about suitable clothing and any subject-specific equipment. Keep personal devices and pupil information within the school’s rules.

What If I Am Delayed Or Cannot Find The School Entrance?

Contact the school and your consultant as soon as you can, giving a realistic update. Confirm the entrance and arrival contact before travelling, especially for sites with several buildings.