Northern Ireland Substitute Teacher Register

Schools still require the services of substitute teachers at this time.

We request that ALL substitute teachers registered on NISTR take the action set out below, including those substitute teachers who are willing to work in schools over the Easter holiday period and throughout the on-going school closures.

Even though many schools will be closed to pupils, they will remain open for staff so that they can access resource materials and make arrangements for remote learning as appropriate, to facilitate provision for vulnerable children and those of key workers, and be available to carry out other duties that principals may require of them.

It will help schools greatly if all substitute teachers could take a few minutes to update details of their availability AND continue to keep this information up to date on an on-going basis:

1. If available to work – ensure your calendar is marked as available. 
2. If not available – ensure your calendar is marked as unavailable

Please also ensure that your profile is up to date, particularly in relation to qualifications such as first aid.

By completing this it will help facilitate schools to source substitute teachers in a more timely manner in order to provide an effective service to pupils.  Failure in keeping calendars up to date of your availability results in critical time wasted on the part of Principals.

You will be contacted directly by the school if additional teaching staff are required.

You will appreciate that resources are very stretched at this time and you can help by ensuring that your availability is kept up to date, and importantly, by ensuring that your NISTR profile is marked as unavailable if you do not wish to be booked at this time or if you are unwell.

As a substitute teacher, how will school closures affect my booking and pay?

Even though schools will be closed to pupils, they will remain open for staff so that they can access resource materials and make arrangements for remote learning as appropriate, to facilitate provision for vulnerable children and those of key workers, and be available to carry out other duties that principals may require of them.

All employees will receive normal pay across the range of circumstances that we are facing whether they remain in the workplace, are working from home or are unable to carry on working due to circumstances beyond their control. Substitute teachers will also receive their normal pay for the period of time that they have been engaged to work.

This includes any engagements currently registered on the NISTR system AND any engagements which have been verbally agreed between the school and the substitute teacher.

Your co-operation is much appreciated and we hope you and your family continue to stay well.