This week is Mental Health Awareness, and although this year’s theme is ‘Loneliness’ we thought it appropriate to share this insightful TED TALK ‘Why students should have mental health days’ it’s just over 7 minutes and raises some interesting...
May is National Share-a-Story month and this year’s theme is “Belonging.” Given the disruption of learning due to the pandemic and academic attainment gap, both tutors and supply teachers will be making a real difference to catch-up learning and support within the...
As exam season approaches, it is normal for students to feel a bit worried about exams, however, a lot of pupils are experiencing higher degrees of anxiety this year. The disruption to their education, the stamina required for online learning during lockdowns and the...
We are delighted to announce that we have appointed our first Apprentice Ambassador, Poppy Burnside, from our West Yorkshire branch, who first joined OEG as a Service Administrator Apprentice, at 17 years old. Poppy decided that she wanted to work and earn money in...
As recent research indicates that the number of teachers leaving the profession have returned to pre-pandemic levels, we look at tips for managing burnout and a healthy work/life balance. Don’t be self-critical if you are feeling burnt-out, we’ve experienced...
Equality and diversity, refers to accepting and promoting people’s differences whilst securing no-one is marginalised due to factors such as their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or race. Raising awareness of the notion that all individuals...
The government has recently released ‘Inclusive Britain: government response to the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities’, following findings of the Sewell report in March 2021. Education and schools are addressed within the report in notably two areas: the...
Pressures of the pandemic means added pressure for the SEND teacher and yet it remains one of the most rewarding education sectors to work within, we are sure many of our SEND supply teachers would agree. There are countless resources designed for the wide spectrum of...
All education sectors have been affected by the pandemic and there is lots of opportunity for a variety of teaching and technical support posts in the further education sector. As a further education supply teacher you will have a varied age range of students who will...
British science week was developed to raise awareness and encourage education, training and careers in STEM subjects. It lasts 10 days and celebrates science, technology, engineering and maths. Research suggests that there are a shortage of STEM teachers and that...
This week has been eating disorder week and recent findings have already indicated how the number of children who have an eating disorder has vastly multiplied; this figure won’t include those hiding their eating issues because of shame and guilt. We already knew that...
Following recent events regarding a primary school class who wrote letters to the prime minister, asking him to resign, the government have reminded schools about their legal duties in relation to impartiality when teaching political issues. Whatever your views about...
It’s LGBT history month, so we thought we would remind you about ways of promoting gender equality in the classroom; first shared a year ago, it has been one of our most successful posts. Facilitating awareness and learning regarding equality with different...
Going on holiday over half term? Since we are approaching half term and Covid rules in England have changed, we thought we would give you a brief reminder of regulations and advice as of the 11th of February. For everyone who is fully vaccinated, you now do not need...
It’s Children’s mental health week and we look at some useful information for our supply teaching staff to consider. Mental health in children and teenagers has increased for some years but the effects of the pandemic has impacted the numbers even more so and we...
Secondary supply teachers are needed more than ever, but pressures of the pandemic mean extra tasks and demands on an already busy workload. So here we have put together some time management tips to keep you on top of things: Set clear goals It’s easy to fall into the...
New draft guidelines on self-harm produced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests staff in schools are to be included on how to identify people who have self-harmed. This is the first-time teachers have been included in this guidance;...
Operam Education Group has now partnered with CPD online; a company that offers a range of recognised online courses that will meet the needs for many of our supply staff to keep up to date on their training and meet their CPD requirements. The courses are varied,...
1. I want to be a supply teacher; how do I find a school to work in? We recommend that you liaise directly with supply agencies like ourselves rather than schools. This is to avoid additional burdens on schools and because supply agencies work directly with schools...
The early years sector needs supply workers more than ever as the pandemic puts pressures on staffing. It is a rewarding sector to work in and is varied. It is a job that requires careful planning and preparation, personal skills and attributes. If you want to change...
The added pressures of the pandemic mean that building resilience in order to survive as a primary school teacher has never been more important: it rests on finding a healthy balance between personal and classroom life! Self-wellbeing As a primary school teacher,...
As the pandemic continues, we face the third academic year to have disrupted GCSEs. For the current YR 11, their first experience of disrupted learning started when they were in year 9. Many aspects of their lives have been affected and they face continued...
A national call from the government has been made, requesting ex-teachers and retired teachers to support schools in remaining open, so pupils already hit by the effects of the pandemic can continue learning as much as possible. Although teaching is currently...
How to bring recycling into the classroom: We encourage you to take advantage in the new year to teach the children a valuable lesson about the importance of recycling. Here is a link to a list of 29 fun recycling related activities that you can do in class. What you...
International Volunteer day is celebrated annually to thank the contributions millions of volunteers make across the UK. This year has been especially significant due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to much more volunteer support being needed to...
It’s 25 days till Christmas and we thought we would help you with some activities in class to get everyone in the Christmas spirit! Educational practice Why not extend your classroom education to learn about all the other global holidays that occur around December....
This week it was announced that the number of pupils absent from school due to Covid has increased by 60 per cent in the past two weeks. The absences are due to them testing positive to Covid-19, suspected of having Covid-19, or being affected by management outbreak...
What teachers need to know about TikToc A few weeks ago, our latest news was dedicated to what teachers should do regarding their online presence, however, since then it has become apparent that more and more teachers are being targeted via TicTok. The online abuse...
Tutoring can be a great option if you previously left teaching due personal reasons, to pursue a different career, are retired, are a supply teacher or have experience of being a Teaching Assistant. Although challenging, teaching is one of the most rewarding vocations...
This week is anti-bullying week, so we have listed some tips for our supply teachers and support staff to be aware when managing bullying behaviour. The experience of being bullied is not just something that children go through; it can cause long-term damage for the...
As we celebrate Maths Week and World Science Day, we look at the STEM industry and teaching shortages. Out of a workforce of 32.8 million people, 5.9 million (18%) work in STEM occupations in the UK, according to figures from the British Science Association, November...
This week is stress awareness week, and we look at what stress is and how it affects you mentally and physically. Stress is a reaction to an overwhelming thought which triggers physical changes in your body. Your brain logging your tense thought, prepares you for...
As we celebrate world online networking day, we offer some tips for supply teachers about their online presence. An online reputation is just as important as a reputation in the community. All the information that can be found about you on the internet is referred to...
Today is World Values Day, serving as an important reminder as to why our values are so important to us; they underpin all that we do and why we do it, igniting our passion. Here we want to share one of OEG’s values in action, which is giving back to help others grow...
As it’s work/life balance week, we take a look at why supply teaching supports a healthy lifestyle. Words are important and the subtlety of some phrases can say a lot subconsciously. The term ‘work-life balance’ has been increasingly used and is embedded into...
As we celebrate World Teacher’s Day and say ‘thank you’ for the great work they do, we take a look at why supply teaching may be for you. Supply teaching is a great opportunity for many reasons and can be an option that makes a real difference to not...
The European Day of Languages is celebrated every year on 26th September and now in its seventeenth year. What is European Day of Languages? Europe enjoys a rich diversity of language and cultures with 200 European languages, 24 Official European languages and around...
As we celebrate International Happiness at Work Week, we look at why it’s important and what Operam Education Group branches do to create a happy workforce. The world recognises the importance of people being happy at work as it affects the level of happiness in other...
As we celebrate National Teaching Assistants’ Day, we look at the role of a TA and why you may want to become one. The role of a Teaching Assistant is key for today’s education and raises the standard of teaching from class groups to individual student support. In the...
On the return to schools in September, as yet there is no requirement in England to wear masks, maintain bubbles etc but the government have advised schools to devise their own outbreak management plans. Here we consider what they could look like and when they may be...
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) along with the University of Exeter carried out research and found that UK pupils have lost out on a third of their learning due to the pandemic. The findings include time students spent on home lessons during...
The start of term is getting closer, so we wanted to remind you of the latest Covid rules in preparation for your safe return to school. As from 16th August, anyone who has had two doses of a Covid vaccine (at least 14 days before encountering a positive case) or is...
Starting your career as an ECT and working as a supply teacher gives you the perfect platform to gain real classroom experience, whilst getting all the support you need to help you through your 2-year induction period. ECTs tell us that going straight into supply work...
From August 16, children in England will only need to self-isolate if they have tested positive for Covid-19, a practice which will continue into the new academic year according to current guidance. We take a look at the latest research that underpins this decision...
The Education Specialists ensures that all records are kept in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Extra care is taken with all sensitive and personal data (e.g. information captured in the Equal Opportunities Form, CVs and our Customer...
As 1 million children were out of school last week, only 47,000 of those actually had Covid – the rest were defined as close contacts so had to self-isolate and stay off school. These figures come as the latest government announcement stated that children aged...
This year has been extremely demanding for schools, staff and pupils; the end is now in sight for that summer break you may have been looking forward to, however, if you are not going abroad this year and not been able to book a domestic getaway, after your initial...
Summary of new rules For some time, it has been increasingly felt how much children and students have lost not only due to lockdowns, but the continued isolation with school bubbles and close contact self-isolation rules. The Department for Education figures show that...
The 6th of July 2021 is Children’s Art Day, part of Children’s Art Week normally run by Engage – the National Association for Gallery Education and supported by the Arts Council. However, due to the pandemic, plans have been halted and instead teachers...
As the number of people who are contracting Covid-19 continue to grow, the impact in schools is being felt. Just last week more than 170,000 pupils were self-isolating as close contacts, mostly in secondary schools, because of the track and trace system and the need...
First founded 3 years ago in Jersey, the Channel Islands, World Wellbeing Week runs from June 21 – June 30 in 2021. World Wellbeing Week is a worldwide opportunity to promote awareness for the wide-ranging aspects of wellbeing that includes: Social Physical...
It’s now the final stretch of term time for a lot of teachers, after what has been another challenging year. It’s also the time when teachers are busy marking exam papers as well as awarding grades in some cases. To get through the last few weeks of term, we have...
Transition Programme At The Education Specialist we recognise that schools will be reflecting and wondering how best to prepare on how the most vulnerable pupils are going to make up for their lost learning and progression due to COVID disruption. Pupils leaving...
As we reach the peak time for schools to recruit ECTs for September 2021, we thought we would highlight the use of including a cover letter when applying for a role. It is more important than ever to utilise this often-overlooked tool with the ongoing restrictions of...
The first steps in your teaching career can be both exciting as well as daunting and with the additional challenge of changes due to the pandemic, it may feel overwhelming. We’ve spoken to many ECTs over the last couple of weeks, most of whom feel confused on how to...
As its Mental Health Awareness week, we have listed below a reminder of the signs of depression, split into psychological, physical and social symptoms. One in five adults experienced some form of depression at the beginning of this year, which is twice as many as...
As the government releases its latest statutory guidance on Induction for early career teachers, we take a brief look at the main changes to it since 2018. The term early career teacher (ECT) replaces newly qualified teacher (NQT). The standard length of induction has...
We’re delighted to have been awarded a starred accreditation from Best Companies to work for, which means levels of employee engagement are very good. In addition we’ve made it to the top Best 100 Small Companies to work for the UK, and we’ve also been included in...
Restrictions due to the pandemic have meant less opportunity for social interaction amongst pupils. Not only can this lead to a loss of confidence but also a lack of consolidation of learning. Lock down, on-line classes, social distancing, bubbles and masks have all...
As the majority of schools returned to full opening in March, reflections of working in education during restrictions and lockdowns, a year on, have been captured by a recent survey. The National Education Union surveyed more than 10,000 of its members and included...
The commission, chaired by Dr Tony Sewell, found Britain has become a “more open society” and that children from many ethnic communities “do at least as well or substantially better than white pupils in compulsory education”, but did not include all ethnic groups who...
Today starts the beginning of World Autism Awareness Week in schools and we thought we would give you a reminder summary of what autism is and how it may affect individuals. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and...
The BBC’s Newsround conducted a survey of 2,013 six- to sixteen-year-olds from all over the UK about their experience of the past year. We have summarised the headline stats here: 50% of children reported that their experience during lockdown was either better or no...
As we follow on from international women’s day last week, we take a look at promoting gender equality in the classroom. Facilitating awareness and learning regarding equality with different gender identities is important for pupils throughout various stages of...
As schools look at determining grades for years 11 and 13, consideration has started to take place on other years whose learning has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. Simon Lebus, the interim chief regulator for Ofqual has stated that: “…based on the reality of...
Following the announcement last Monday about the re-opening of schools, we have briefly summarised the pertinent parts of it relevant to supply staff as follows: Supply staff and other temporary or peripatetic staff can move between schools. Supply staff must follow...
The loss of face-to-face learning for pupils has had a huge impact on their education and well-being. The government has allocated £1.3bn of funding for catch-up programmes in England as well as funds to aid wellbeing initiatives; the EPI has proposed £650m of extra...
Now that a spring return of schools fully re-opening seems increasingly likely, we thought we would give you an update about tutoring programmes in general and in terms of our agency. This comes as a new report was published from the Education Endowment Foundation...
Everyone has been aware of the massive impact that Covid-19 has had on pupils in terms of education and well-being, but little has been understood about the ways in which different groups of students have been affected. This study reported on 62,000 pupils throughout...
Although there are many online tools to help children with their education at home, there are some who either do not have laptop or Wi-Fi access. Since the 11th January 2021, the BBC has scheduled programmes on BBC2 to help children who may not have online support at...
Teaching pupils about Chinese New Year offers a range of age-appropriate fun activities, from making lanterns to learning about Chinese zodiac animals, whilst being culturally diverse. Here is summary of what you need to know and a link to lesson plan ideas. What is...
Here are some activities to do at home that don’t involve watching TV. Reading – there are plenty of books out there to read! if you need inspiration why not find your favourite author and see what other work they have done? Or a great idea is to join an online book...
Maybe if you have time on your hands, given the lockdown restrictions, you could explore some of the amazing podcasts that are available. Do you need some podcast inspiration? We have pulled together some education orientated podcasts for you to listen to. The...
World Braille Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the issues impacting those who are blind or visually impaired within our society. The invention of braille has transformed accessibility for those with visual impairments and promotes equal opportunities. It is...
How to bring recycling into the classroom: We encourage you to take advantage of the new year to teach the children a valuable lesson about the importance of recycling. Here is a link to a list of 29 fun recycling related activities that you can do in class. What...
62,000 pupils have now enrolled with the National Tuition Programme Tuition Partners in 2,500 schools across England. 10,000 tutors to date have registered an NTP tuition partner to provide vital support for disadvantaged pupils to bridge the attainment gap. NTP...
2020 has been like no other year in education with so many staff going above and beyond their duties. Take time to relax and an enjoy a well-earned rest. Here is a list of Christmas films both new and some classics to keep you entertained and get you in the festive...
Recognised for being a well led, well managed organisation throughout the pandemic and achieving ‘good’ levels of engagement, Operam Education Group have received a ‘Ones To Watch 2021’ status from the Best Companies. The leadership team’s...
Lasbm, featured the following summary article about our partnered Tutoring programme, in their December 2020 edition of their news. It provides an excellent summary about the initiative and do not forget that we are still recruiting for it, see our tutoring page here...
Figures show that 15% of pupils missed the last week of term and that the figure was even higher in the Midlands at 23%. Concern for the lost learning time has led to the government advising on mass testing of Covid within schools, but announced it the day before end...
Why do we celebrate international mountain day? – Mountains are home to 15% of the world´s population and host about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. They provide freshwater for everyday life to half of humanity. Their conservation is a key...
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on the 10th December every year. The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation in 1948. The universal declaration of human rights empowers us all, – we can...
International Volunteer day is celebrated annually to thank the contributions millions of volunteers make across the UK. This year has been especially significant due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to much more volunteer support being needed to...
It’s 25 days till Christmas and we thought we would help you with some activities in class to get everyone in the Christmas spirit! Educational practice Why not extend your classroom education to learn about all the other global holidays that occur around December....
Over the past decade, thousands of male primary and secondary school teachers have left the classroom, which fuels fears that a lack of male role models in schools, is contributing to the under-performance of boys. The Times reports that ‘over the past decade…slightly...
With the second lockdown restrictions lifting, there may be some confusion on what this means for schools. We have complied some information designed to help you give clarity to the COVID-19 winter plan and how these rules will affect school life. Schools will...
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 and is celebrated annually on the 20th November to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. Parents, teachers, children as well as the rest of society...
Geography Awareness Week in Schools Geography awareness week was created in 1987 and is an annual celebration of geography and the important role it plays in all out lives. After a turbulent year from searing bush fires in Australia and the Pacific Northwest of...
This week is Autumn’s ‘Children’s book week’. To celebrate we have listed Waterstone’s ‘Best books to look out for children in 2020’. There is a wide variety of genres to dive into for children of all ages, from mesmerising mythical worlds and light-hearted adventures...
We have been appointed by the government to be involved in the National Tutoring Programme. We are recruiting tutors now, to deliver an evidenced based programme; all training is provided. Flexible, long-term contracts working alongside industry experts, including...
We wanted to update you regarding our candidate referral scheme. We have always been grateful of your support when you have referred a friend or colleague to our agency as we believe word of mouth about our reputation speaks volumes. As a pledge-based company, we have...
October is national eye-care month and with increasing use of computers and digital screens, we thought we would give some reminders and 10 top tips regarding eye-care. Over-use of looking at a digital screen can induce tired, strained eyes, blurred vision and dry eye...
As limitations on what we can do and where we can go persist due to Covid-19, some of you may be wondering what to do to unwind over half-term. Research has shown that regular walking has many benefits, both mental and physical, which we have listed below. Hopefully,...
This is a podcast that has a firm focus on the science of learning, and it gives teachers, parents and students alike, a look behind the curtain of the world of education. The goal of the duo behind the Learning Scientists’ podcast, namely Megan Sumeracki and Yana...
In our previous latest news, we informed you of the importance of nutrients in certain foods that reduce the effects of stress and boost mood as well as promoting sleep. In order to make it super easy for you to make changes and incorporate suggested foods into your...
Nearing half-term and having negotiated challenges that a year ago teachers would not have even dreamt of, your mind and body may be reaching burnout. Sustaining stress over a period of time wreaks havoc on the body due the body’s inability to absorb nutrients,...
Dyslexia affects 1 in 10 children; it is a genetic, neurological condition which affects how someone processes written and spoken information. It varies for each person, affecting them in different ways and to different degrees in the areas of processing information,...
We’ve discovered a great collection of recommended educational podcasts which we’ll be sharing with you each week, here’s the first in our series. Teaching Podcast – Pivotal Podcast: Paul Dix, behavioural specialist and host Kevin Mulryne provide weekly ‘free CPD in...
As news breaks regarding governmental errors regarding teachers’ pensions, we have provided a summary of how and why you should check your pension details and what to do to rectify any errors. Why check your pension now? Your teaching pension is based on your years of...
QUARANTINE RULES AND OVERSEAS TRAVEL Planning to go abroad If you are planning to go abroad please advise your Branch Consultant as early as possible, stating both the dates and destination. This will help us not only track your availability but also allow for any...
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