Whether your placement lasted one day, one week, one term or an entire academic year, its conclusion is an opportunity to reflect on what you achieved and prepare for what comes next.

Supply teachers, teaching assistants and education support staff regularly move between different schools, classrooms and contracts. Every placement can help you develop new skills, gain experience and strengthen your CV.

Taking a few practical steps before and after your placement ends can help you finish professionally, complete important administration and remain ready for your next opportunity.

1. Finish your placement professionally

First impressions matter, but so do final impressions.

Before leaving your placement, make sure you have:

• returned your staff identification badge, keys or access fob
• returned any laptops, tablets or classroom equipment you borrowed
• removed personal information from any equipment, where appropriate
• left classrooms, resources and work areas organised
• completed any agreed marking or administrative tasks
• thanked the staff you worked alongside

Professionalism, reliability and consideration are qualities that schools remember. Finishing well may contribute to positive feedback, repeat bookings or future opportunities.

If the school asks you to return for another booking, let your consultant know. Bookings arranged through Axcis should be communicated through the appropriate Axcis process.

2. Complete your timesheets and outstanding administration

Before or shortly after your placement finishes, check that your timesheets have been completed and submitted correctly.

Make sure:

• the dates and working hours are accurate
• any half days or additional agreed hours are recorded correctly
• your timesheet has been submitted for approval
• queries are raised while the relevant school staff are still available
• your contact and payment information is current

Schools may need to approve your timesheet before payment can be processed. Completing everything promptly helps reduce the risk of avoidable payment delays.

If you believe information is missing or you are unsure how to complete a timesheet, contact your consultant or the appropriate Axcis team before the submission deadline.

3. Leave an appropriate handover

If you worked in a longer-term role, you may be asked to leave a handover for the class teacher, support team or person taking over the placement.

Depending on your responsibilities, this might include:

• the work or curriculum content covered
• tasks that remain outstanding
• successful classroom routines
• resources you used or prepared
• agreed communication approaches
• strategies already included in pupil support plans
• relevant information about forthcoming activities or deadlines

Keep the handover factual, relevant and professional. Do not include personal opinions, informal labels or confidential information that the recipient does not need.

Safeguarding concerns and significant incidents should already have been reported through the setting’s procedures. A handover document must never be used as a substitute for an immediate safeguarding report.

4. Ask for appropriate feedback

Where appropriate, ask the relevant school contact for constructive feedback about your placement.

You might ask:

• What went particularly well?
• Were there any areas I could develop?
• Did the setting feel that my skills suited the role?
• Would the school be happy to have me return?

Feedback can help you recognise strengths, identify useful training and understand which roles or settings may suit you in future.

If feedback is provided directly to Axcis, ask your consultant whether there are any points they can appropriately share with you.

5. Update your CV while the experience is fresh

It is much easier to update your CV immediately after a placement than to remember the details several months later.

Consider adding:

• the type of school or education setting
• the age groups or education phases you supported
• relevant SEND experience
• your classroom and curriculum responsibilities
• communication approaches you used
• behaviour support experience
• interventions you delivered or supported
• new systems, resources or technologies you used
• training completed during the placement
• specific achievements or additional responsibilities

Keep the information factual and do not include identifiable or confidential details about pupils.

Rather than listing only general duties, explain the support you provided and the skills you developed. Our guide to what schools actually notice on SEND CVs provides further practical advice.

6. Tell your consultant when you are available

Do not wait until you need a new placement before updating your consultant.

As soon as you know your availability, tell them:

• which days you can work
• when your current placement ends
• whether you want daily supply, short-term, long-term or permanent work
• whether you are looking for full-time or part-time opportunities
• the locations you can realistically reach
• the age groups and education settings you prefer
• whether your role preferences have changed

Current information helps your consultant understand which opportunities may be suitable for you. It does not guarantee an immediate placement, but it means you can be considered using accurate details.

Already registered with Axcis? Update the Axcis App

Registered Axcis candidates can use the Axcis App to manage important information connected to their education work.

Depending on your candidate and placement status, you can use the app to:

• update your availability
• view upcoming bookings
• manage timesheet information
• upload requested documents
• search for education jobs
• receive messages and notifications from Axcis

Keeping your availability current is one of the simplest ways to help your consultant understand when you can work.

If you have not used the app before, read our practical guide to the Axcis App.

Do not rely only on an app update if your availability changes at short notice or you need to discuss a confirmed booking. Contact your consultant directly in those situations.

7. Check your compliance information

Being ready for another placement depends on your candidate and compliance information remaining current.

Check whether Axcis needs updated information relating to:

• your contact details
• your address
• your Right to Work documentation
• your Disclosure and Barring Service information
• the DBS Update Service, where applicable
• references
• qualifications
• safeguarding or mandatory training
• any other documents requested by the compliance team

Requirements vary according to the individual, role and setting. Contact your consultant or the Axcis compliance team if you are unsure whether anything needs to be renewed or updated.

Only provide documents through an approved Axcis process and never send passwords or unnecessary sensitive information.

8. Continue developing your skills

A gap between placements can provide an opportunity to reflect on your professional development.

Think about whether further learning would help you build confidence in areas such as:

• safeguarding and child protection
• autism
• ADHD
• social, emotional and mental health needs
• communication and interaction
• behaviour support
• inclusive classroom practice
• trauma-informed practice
• mental health and wellbeing
• classroom management

Registered Axcis candidates can access professional development through The Axcis Academy, including training provided in partnership with The National College.

Choose training that is relevant to your role and experience. Completing a general course does not replace setting-specific guidance or practical training required for particular responsibilities.

9. Take time to recharge

Working in education can be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. A break between placements does not have to be filled entirely with administration and professional development.

Where your circumstances allow, make time to rest, reconnect with life outside work and reflect on what you need from your next role.

You might consider:

• what you enjoyed about the placement
• which parts of the role affected your wellbeing
• whether the working pattern was sustainable
• which environments helped you feel supported
• what boundaries you want to maintain in future

Our guide to looking after your wellbeing while working in education contains additional practical guidance.

10. Reflect on what you want next

Every placement gives you more information about the work, environments and responsibilities that suit you.

Before discussing your next opportunity, consider:

• Which parts of the placement did I enjoy most?
• Which skills did I use or develop?
• Which age groups and education settings suited me?
• What level of responsibility am I ready for?
• Would I prefer greater flexibility or more continuity?
• What travel distance is realistic and sustainable?
• Is there additional support or training I need?

Share this information honestly with your consultant. A suitable placement is not only about being available; it is also about matching your experience, preferences and circumstances with the needs of the setting.

Frequently asked questions

When should I tell my teaching agency that I am available?

Tell your teaching agency as soon as you know when your placement will end and when you can work again. Include your preferred working pattern, locations, roles and education settings so your consultant has accurate information.

Should I update my CV after every placement?

Yes. Even a short placement may add useful experience. Updating your CV promptly makes it easier to record your responsibilities and achievements accurately.

What if I only worked at the school for one day?

Short bookings still demonstrate adaptability, reliability and experience of different school environments. You may not need to add every single-day booking as a separate CV entry, but you can summarise relevant supply experience and the settings in which you worked.

Should I ask the school for a reference?

Speak to your consultant before arranging references directly. Axcis can explain what information may be required and the appropriate process for your circumstances.

Can supply work lead to a long-term or permanent role?

It can. Some schools use supply placements to meet an immediate need and may later consider suitable candidates for longer-term opportunities. However, this is not guaranteed, and any proposed change should be discussed through the correct process.

What if my placement ended unexpectedly?

Contact your consultant to discuss what happened and confirm your availability. Keep the conversation factual and provide any relevant information. If the placement affected your wellbeing or raised a safeguarding or safety concern, explain this so that it can be handled appropriately.

Do I need to register again when a placement ends?

If you are already registered with Axcis, you should not complete another registration form unless an Axcis team member asks you to do so. Update your availability and contact your consultant about your next placement.

Resources to help you prepare for your next opportunity

• What Schools Actually Notice on SEND CVs
• Ace Your SEND Education Job Interview
• How to Prepare for Your First Day in a SEND Setting
• Looking After Your Wellbeing While Working in Education
• CPD and Professional Development Through The Axcis Academy

Your placement has ended—what happens next?

Finishing a placement is not only an ending. It is an opportunity to recognise what you learned, update your professional information and decide what you would like from your next role.

If you are already registered with Axcis, update your availability, keep your candidate information current and contact your consultant when you are ready to discuss your next opportunity.

Finally, thank you to all the teachers, teaching assistants and education support staff who make a difference in schools and education settings every day. We look forward to supporting you throughout your education career.