National Assembly for Wales
Children, Young People and Education Committee

ST 24

Inquiry into Supply Teaching
Evidence from : Supply Teacher

I am a teacher registered with Welsh GTC.  I am a member of the NAS UWT union.  Here are some facts on the agency scandals.

1)  Agencies are unregulated.  Anyone can set one up.

2)  They cost the Local Education authorities as much as paying teacher direct.

3)  They recruit student teachers to work for as little as £60 a day.

4)  They rob teachers of pension contribution and at least a third of their salary.

5)  In North Wales one agency started when the clerks saw how much their bosses in Cardiff (were making) so they founded Excell agency.taking with them staff details.

6)  Teachers are sometimes encouraged to work as little as £40 a day as cover supervisors but are expected to teach.

7)  Agencies are trying to undercut payments to make them more attractive to schools.

8)  Agency works undermines gender equality.

When I signed up with an agency for work, I was interviewed by a 19 year old who didn't even have a degree and did not know anything about education!

8)  Labour controlled Flintshire Council are giving preference to New Directions Agency.going against equality.  Teachers are told we will not pay you through LEA .go to New Directions Agencies.

9)  Agencies offer consultancy roles to retired heads.who help them get into schools.

10)  Agencies operate dubious expense tax scams and the Unions advise against these.