Supply Teaching & Induction

NQTs can undertake short-term supply teaching in the state sector (for periods of less than a term) for a maximum of four terms before they have to find a post that will enable them to complete induction. Short term supply does not enable the completion of induction because the minimum period that is recognised as appropriate for induction purposes is one full term.

If NQTs complete four terms' supply in the state sector but do not find an induction post, they do not lose their QTS. However, they cannot undertake any more teaching until they find an induction post.

In summer 2004 Wales extended the four term limit by an additional calendar year.

This is not an aggregation of supply work: the clock starts ticking from the start of the first supply post and does not stop, even when the NQT is not working.