SUPPLY TEACHER FAQ

Contents
1. Registration...............................................................................................................................4
2. Access NI Clearance...................................................................................................................5
3. GTCNI Registration.....................................................................................................................6
4. TR number.................................................................................................................................6
5. Logging into NISTR (current and new).......................................................................................6
6. Transition from the current to the new NISTR solution.............................................................7
7. New NISTR Booking process – accepting a booking/ sign off.....................................................8
8. New NISTR Booking process- Cancelling a booking/ sickness leave/ adjusting booking............9
9. New NISTR Booking process – setting your availability/ fixed term contracts.........................10
10. New NISTR Booking process – Communications between schools an supply teachers.......12
11. New NISTR Booking process – Short Notice Supply functionality........................................12
12. New NISTR Booking process – Updating your profile/ experience.......................................13
13. New NISTR booking process - Retrospective bookings........................................................13
14. Supply Teacher Payment.....................................................................................................14
15. User acceptance Testing......................................................................................................14
16. New NISTR Training.............................................................................................................15
17. Career breaks.......................................................................................................................16
1. Registration
How do I register on the current NISTR solution (before 4th August)?
To register on the current NISTR Solution please click here    and follow the step-by-step instructions to
complete the registration. If you need help with the registration process, please watch our  help video.
Please register in the current solution by the 3rd August. The current NISTR will be retired on the 4th
August to facilitate the transition between the new and old solution. After the 4 th of August the next
available date to register for NISTR will be the 15 th August.

How do I register on the New NISTR solution (after 15th August)?

Details on how to register in the new NISTR solution will be provided in mid August via the NISTR
website and communications.

Should I register on current NISTR system or wait until 15th August 2022, if I want to work as a
Supply Teacher in September 2022? 
If you would like to make yourself available for supply teaching in September, it is recommended that
you register with current NISTR now to avoid delay (this can take up to 9 weeks for all compliance
checks to be complete). The current NISTR will be retired on the 4th August to facilitate the transition
between the new and old solution. After the 4th of August the next available date to register for
NISTR will be the 15th August.

I’m a newly qualified teacher. Why can’t I just wait for the new system to go live before registering
instead of registering on the old system now?
If you would like to make yourself available for supply teaching in September, it is recommended that
you register with current NISTR now to avoid delay. If you wait until 15th August to start your
registration, you may not be finished by 22 nd August and you may miss out on available roles at the
start of the new academic year.

What if I haven’t registered in the system by 4th August? Will I be able to access the new solution
on 15th August?
 If you have not registered in the current NISTR solution by the 4 th August, you will be required to
access NISTR from 15th August, click on 'Register here' and complete the 12 registration steps.  This
includes application for compliance checks, including right to work, health, and Access NI, which may
in some circumstances take some weeks to complete.  After successful completion of all 12 steps,
and compliance approval, your account status will be 'Active'. You must set your availability for dates
and your preferred schools/distance. You will then be available for bookings and appear in school
searches.   

I am retiring from permanent teaching. Should I register on the old NISTR system or wait until 15th
August, if I want to sub in September? 
If you would like to make yourself available for supply teaching in September, it is recommended that
you register with current NISTR now to avoid delay. If you wait until 15 th August to start your
registration, you may not be finished by 22 nd August and you may miss out on available roles at the
start of the new academic year.

2. AccessNI Clearance
What is an AccessNI check?
AccessNI is a branch in the Department of Justice. Its role is to process applications for those who
require a criminal record check for employment purposes. All Supply Teachers are required to
complete an Enhanced Disclosure children’s barred list check prior to engaging in regulated activity.
Supply Teachers are responsible for the payment of this check. AccessNI costs £33 and must be paid
prior to working as a Supply Teacher. The AccessNI check forms part of the current NISTR solution
registration process and will also be part of the new NISTR solution registration process.

Note:  If you require any further information in relation to the AccessNI application process please
contact the EA AccessNI Office using one of the following methods:
Telephone:    028 2566 1193
E-mail:    accessni@eani.org.uk 

Do I need to apply for a new AccessNI Enhanced Disclosure Check for the new NISTR solution? 
No, if you are already registered in the current NISTR your AccessNI will be transferred to the new
solution and will still be valid.

I have recently registered with the current NISTR and I am waiting for my AccessNI clearance to be
processed. Will my details be transferred to the new NISTR solution?
Yes, your details will transfer to the new NISTR solution.

I work as an Educational Psychologist currently and have an AccessNI check for my role. Will this
AccessNI check be applicable for use of the new NISTR solution, or will I need to pay for a new
check?
NISTR will accept an AccessNI enhanced disclosure check based on the following:

1. This has been completed by the NI Education Authority

2. There has been no break in service of no more than 90 days

The Certificate must be emailed to nistr@eani.org.uk to see if it can be accepted.

3. GTCNI Registration
What is GTCNI?
To be an 'active' user on the NISTR system you must be General Teaching Council for Northern
Ireland (GTCNI) registered. Teachers seeking to register with GTCNI can obtain application forms
directly from their website  www.gtcni.org.uk. Obtaining a GTCNI certificate is part of the
registration process for the current and the new NISTR solution and is mandatory before you can
commence work as a Supply Teacher.

I am currently working abroad at an international school, returning home this summer’22 . Do I

need to be registered on GTCNI & compete an Access NI check to work as a Supply Teacher in
September’22?
Yes, you are required to complete GTCNI checks, and Access NI checks as part of the current NISTR
and the new NISTR registration process. Please also ensure you complete your Right to Work
documentation. Please note, your GTCNI check could take some time to process so please allow
sufficient time for this to be completed to ensure you do not miss out on available roles at the start of
the new academic year. For further information regarding GTCNI please see: www.gtcni.org.uk.
4. TR number
What is a TR number?
A TR number is your 'Teacher Registration' Number that is issued to you when you register with
GTCNI. Teachers who have not yet qualified or who are awaiting GTCNI Registration cannot be paid
through NISTR. Schools must contact their Employing Authority to seek guidance on the payment of
unqualified teachers .

5. Logging into NISTR (current and new)

Can I change my current NISTR Username/ Log in/ email address name as part of the introduction
of the new NISTR?
In the new solution your Username will be your Email address. You will be able to update your
Username/ email address in the Account Settings section in the new solution.

Will the current NISTR website address (https://login.nistr.org.uk/home.aspx) change when the
new solution launches in August?
No. The current NISTR address will re-direct you to the new NISTR site when it launches.

How do I log in to the new NISTR solution on 15th August?

Full details on how to log into the new NISTR solution will be provided closer to the go live date (15 th
August for supply Teachers, 22nd August for all other Users e.g schools). The new NISTR solution will
not be able to be ‘downloaded’ as you would do for other device applications. The new solution will
be accessed via a Progressive Web Application (PWA) link, that will take the user to a log in page.
You will be able to add this link to your device home screen or save it to your internet favourites for
easy access.

PWA’s look and feel like a "normal" app that you would download to your phone or tablet, but they
are accessed through your browser (e.g Chrome,  Safari, Firefox, and Edge). When you click on the
link (PWA) the NISTR solution will adapt to any device you are accessing it from. Please see below for
examples of devices on which the new NISTR solution can be accessed.

Apple devices (iOS) – iPad, iPhone, Mac

Android devices - Samsung, Google, Huawei etc

Desktop devices (Windows)

6. Transition from the current to the new NISTR solution

What is the advised process for booking supply teachers for the Academic year 2022/23?
Schools will be able to place bookings for Supply Teachers in the current NISTR Solution until 3rd
August 2022, for planned work in the academic year 22/23.

The current NISTR will be unavailable from the 4th August to support with the transition to the new
NISTR. All bookings placed pre-4th August will be available to view in the new NISTR on 15th August
when all registered supply teachers will be given access. For example, if you have been booked work
for the 12-14th September 2022, this booking will be available to view in the new NISTR solution on
15th August.
School Users will be provided with access to the new NISTR solution on the 22 nd of August. Any new
bookings required for the academic year 22/23 will be made using the new NISTR solution after this
date.

I have August and September bookings on the current NISTR will these still be on the new NISTR
system in August?
Yes, all previous bookings in the current NISTR solution will transfer to the new NISTR solution on the
15th August (when Teachers will be provided with access). You will not be required to add these
bookings into the new NISTR solution on the 22 nd August (when schools are provided with access).

How do I manage my supply teacher bookings between the 4th  - 15th August if the current NISTR is
unavailable?
From 4th August the current NISTR solution will no longer be available.  Relevant data including
bookings will be transferred from the old to the new solution.  

Will all my historic signed off bookings in the current NISTR be transferred over to the new NISTR
solution? (as this is useful to have for job applications).
Previous booking history of up to 7 years will be transferred from the current to the new NISTR
solution.

What extra information do you need from me when I log into the new solution on 15 th August?
More information will be provided mid August on what additional information will be required to
submit on the 15th August.

During this time we will also encourage you to do a full review and update of your profile so that you
can maximise your chances of being matched with the most appropriate role for you.

Finally, it is extremely important from the 15 th - 22nd August that you update your availability as your
default availability status will be set to “Unavailable”. If you do not indicate on your availability
calendar which days you are available for work, you will not be included in search results and will not
be offered available roles by schools.

What happens if I do not update my profile from 15th – 22nd August?

You will be missing key information required to finalise your profile, which may impact the
opportunity to maximise your chances of being matched with the most appropriate role for you.
Furthermore, it is extremely important that you update your availability as your default availability
status will be set to “Unavailable” until you do this. If you do not indicate on your availability
calendar which days you are available for work, you will not be included in search results and will not
be offered available roles by schools.

What will I be able to see on the 15th August in the Solution?

Once you have reset your password and updated your profile with the required information (the
solution will automatically prompt you on this),  you will have access to NISTR. You will be able to
explore the solution on desktop or your device and refine your profile further.    You must set your
availability status to ‘available’ in order to appear in school searches and accept bookings.    Please
note: Schools will not be provided with access until the 22 nd of August, therefore you will not be able
to see any NEW job opportunities until after this date. 

Why do I need to reset my password when I log in on 15 th August? Why can’t I just use my old
password?
For security reasons, we cannot migrate existing passwords across to the new solution. This is due to
the secure way that your password is stored in the existing solution that prevents anyone but you
gaining access to it. When you log into the new solution for the first time you will therefore be
required to follow a quick password reset process. Your new password can be the same as the old
password you used in the old system if you wish.

7. New NISTR Booking process – accepting a booking/ sign off

Will I be able to omit jobs being displayed from certain schools in the new NISTR solution (e.g
remove any jobs advertised from my offer feed from a particular school)?
Yes, you will be able to manage your schools within the new NISTR solution to only include schools
that meet your preferences (e.g within a certain distance).

Will School Users be able to accept the booking on behalf of the supply teacher in the new NISTR
solution?
No, Schools cannot accept the booking on behalf of the Supply Teacher in the new NISTR solution.

What happens if the supply teacher does not accept the booking on or shortly before the day they
are booked for?
If the teacher does not accept the booking the school are able to cancel the booking and offer to
another teacher on their search result list.

If you are working in a temporary post and a school does not have you booked for a day you
completed e.g. staff development day, baker day or twilights, can they go back and book you in
the new NISTR solution?
All supply teacher bookings must be made through the NISTR solution. Schools will no longer be able
to complete retrospective bookings. The school must contact the NISTR Administration team to have
the booking dates released to them so that a booking can be made. For more information on
retrospective bookings please see the retrospective bookings section.

Are schools able to see what other schools a supply teacher has worked in previously, in the new
NISTR solution?
No, this feature is not available in the new NISTR solution to comply with GDPR regulations.

How far in advance during the academic year can a school user book a supply teacher in the new
NISTR solution?
There are no restrictions on how far in advance a school user can create a booking in the new NISTR
solution.

I often work in 2 different locations across the year. Can I set location parameters for two separate
locations, i.e Ballymena and Belfast?
No, unfortunately the new NISTR solution only offers the ability to set your parameters to 1 location.
This may be looked at for future phases of the solution. In this circumstance, you will be required to
update your availability frequently (and updating your location) to ensure you are able to access the
best opportunities.

Do I need to log in to the app to see my offers of work? I don't have access to my screen at times
such as while working or taking my own kids to school.
No, the application is just one method of communication that NISTR provides. Initially, the solution
will communicate through notifications via email, SMS and the notification widget.
8. New NISTR Booking process- Cancelling a booking/ sickness leave/ adjusting
booking
Can a booking be cancelled in the new NISTR solution? Who can cancel a booking?
Yes, all level users can cancel a booking. When a school cancels a booking within the solution this is
called ‘withdrawal’. When a Teacher cancels a booking a cancelation request is sent to the school,
and school has to accept. More information regarding how to cancel a booking will be provided at
NISTR training in August.

If a school needs to cancel a booking last minute, how is this communicated to a supply teacher
through the new NISTR solution?
If a school needs to withdraw from a booking, this would be processed within the solution and a text
message/ email notification would be sent to the Supply Teacher (depending on their
communications preferences). As a professional curtesy, schools are encouraged to call the teacher
in advance.

What is the process for when a Supply Teacher is unable to attend a booking due to being sick on
the day?
The Supply Teacher will be required to contact the school directly to inform them they will not be
attending as per the current process.

Can bookings in the solution be adjusted during the course of the booking (e.g dates have
changed)? How is this communicated to Supply Teachers?
Yes, bookings can be adjusted by a School User during the life of a booking. Anytime a booking is
amended in the solution, the teacher will receive an email notification of this.

9. New NISTR Booking process – setting your availability/ fixed term contracts
Why is the default status for a teacher now “Unavailable”?
Through our engagement with both schools, teachers, trade unions and employing authorities it was
agreed to change the default status for a teacher from “Not Confirmed” to “Unavailable”. There
were a number of reasons for this, with the main one being that it was not always obvious to a
teacher firstly that they had to update their availability on a regular basis and secondly how they
should go about updating their availability.

Since teachers with “Not Confirmed” statuses appeared in search results on the old system, it led to
teachers receiving calls from schools offering work when that teacher was unavailable to work that
day. This put a strain on relationships between teachers and schools.

To address this problem, it was agreed that in the new solution the default availability status would
be “Unavailable” and that the process for updating availability would be simple and clear. This
means that teachers can quickly update their availability on a regular basis and will only show up in
search results on the days they have specifically indicated that they are available for work. Schools
will then only contact teachers who have changed their status to “Available”.

What is the difference between casual and fixed term work? How is this managed within the new
NISTR solution?
Casual (short and long term) definition: A Short Term booking is defined as any booking under 4
weeks. Any booking over 4 weeks is considered Long Term in nature.
Temporary fixed term contract definition: Any contract lasting less than 12 months that has been
agreed using a free and fair recruitment process, that has taken place outside the NISTR solution. In
these instances NISTR is used a specific Payment mechanism.

More information will be provided on how to manage these bookings within the new NISTR solution
during Training in August.

Do schools need to create a booking for a fixed term contract, or is this completed by the supply
teacher in the new NISTR solution?
The Supply Teacher will be required to set up the Fixed Term contract within the new NISTR solution.
The School will be required to confirm this booking within the solution.

If I know I will be in a school 3 days per week throughout the year, do I need to set those specific
days as unavailable each week on NISTR? or just set myself as fully available to ensure I can be
booked by that school?
If you have been booked in NISTR to work 3 days a week in a school and this booking has been
confirmed, your availability calendar will automatically update to reflect this. For the remaining days
you are not in post, you will be required to update your availability within the solutions ‘availability
calendar’. More details on how to manage your availability will be provided at the Training Session in
August.

What is defined as AM and PM on the new availability calendar (e.g times) within the new NISTR
solution? How does this impact my pay?
The solution will comply with the Department of Education policy regarding standard working hours.
More information will be provided at NISTR training in August.

I’m a part time teacher. Do I need to register on NISTR to work extra hours at my school?
Yes, if you want to work any extra hours above those stipulated in your part time contract at your
school or any other school, you will need to register on NISTR. During the registration process, you
will be asked if you are a part time teacher and to input the days/hours of your part time permanent
contract. You will also be asked if you only want to be available for additional work at your own
school. Your availability calendar will be automatically populated with your part-time contract hours,
so you won’t have to worry about constantly marking this in your calendar. Also, if you select that
you only want to be available to work for your own school, this will ensure that you don’t receive
calls from other schools. Please note however that when you register on NISTR you will be required
to pay for an additional Access NI check. Your Access NI for your part time contract does not cover
any additional hours you work through NISTR.

I have a fixed term contract of less than one year and I have been informed that I need to register
on NISTR. I don’t want to get loads of calls from other schools. How do I stop this?
During the registration process you will be asked if you are registering on NISTR to be paid for a fixed
term contract. You will then be asked to enter the start and end date of your fixed term contract as
well as the Employing Authority and school with which you have the contract. Once you enter this
information it will automatically be populated as a booking in your availability calendar. You will not
appear in search results for other schools. Your school will sign off your booking on a monthly basis.

How often should I be setting my availability in the new NISTR solution?

How frequent you update your availability is your own preference. It is recommended that you
review and update your availability every school term.
Will the new NISTR solution favour individuals that update their availability more often or use the
system more than those that don’t?
No, the solution does not favour individuals that update their availability or use the solution more
(e.g there is no algorithm in the solution that allows for this). Individuals that maintain their
availability correctly and include more relevant information (e.g experience details) in their profile,
are likely to be matched to more bookings that suit their parameters.

Will School users be able to verbally book a supply teacher and then create a booking in NISTR at
the end of the month (after they have worked)?
All supply teacher bookings should be created and offered within the NISTR solution at the point of
verbal agreement with the teacher (if such agreement has been made). This is to ensure that the
availability status of all teachers in the solution is accurate and up to date. All bookings should be
signed off within solution, on the last working day of the month or by the 3rd working day of the
following month at the latest.

School users will no longer be able to create retrospective bookings and add bookings into the
solution once the date has passed. Please see more information on retrospective bookings in the
retrospective booking FAQ section.

What do I do if I have verbally agreed to work at a school?

All supply teacher bookings should be created and offered within the NISTR solution at the point of
verbal agreement with the teacher (if such agreement has been made).

10. New NISTR Booking process – Communications between schools and supply
teachers
Can the School still phone me before offering/ attending a booking? 
Yes, the School can still phone you regarding the booking as previously, however this is up to the
school to do so. Supply Teacher contact details can be accessed through the new NISTR solution only
once a School has created a booking and been supplied with a ‘match list’. Supply Teachers will need
to ensure their contact information is provided to receive calls.

What features does the new NISTR solution have to communicate with schools/ teachers?
Initially the solution will communicate with schools and teachers through notifications via email, SMS
and the notification widget.

11. New NISTR Booking process – Short Notice Supply functionality

How does Short Notice Supply work?
If a school wishes to make a booking and the start date of that booking is less than 24 hours away,
instead of searching for teachers in the usual manner, the school can instead opt to post the details
of the booking on Short Notice Supply. The booking details can then be viewed by all teachers who
have indicated that they are available to work in that school. Additionally, an email, an SMS or both
(depending on the teacher’s preferred method of contact) will be sent to those supply teachers
whose availability and skillset matches the booking details.

Each teacher will then be able to view the details of the booking and apply for it if they wish. The
school will be notified each time a supply teacher applies for the booking they have posted on Short
Notice Supply. The school will then review all applicants and select the supply teacher that is most
suitable for the role. Once the school selects a supply teacher, that booking will be automatically
confirmed and will be populated in the supply teacher’s availability calendar as a confirmed booking.

The successful teacher will be notified by email and SMS (in this case regardless of their preferred
method of contact due to the short time to the start of the booking) that they have been accepted for
the role. Simultaneously, all other applicants will be notified (according to their preferred method of
contact) that they have not been successful at this time.

One important thing to note about Short Notice Supply is that it operates on a “first come, first
served” basis. This means that when a teacher is accepted by a school for a role, they will be
removed from the application process for all other roles that they may have applied for, regardless of
whether another role may have been more suitable or advantageous to them. This was agreed with
all trade unions due to the short time associated with Short Notice Supply. If you have any further
questions about this, please contact your union representative.

Will there be notifications to alert you a short notice supply opportunity has just come up?
Yes, depending on your notification settings you will receive alerts on recently advertised short notice
Supply Teacher jobs that are posted on the short notice job board. We would encourage you to check
the short notice job board regularly to ensure you are aware of immediate vacancies, once these
positions are filled they will no longer appear on the short notice board.

If a short notice booking requests for supply teacher cover for 3 days, are you able to be
considered if you can work 2 of those 3 days?
Yes, within the new solution there is an intelligent search and you can be considered for jobs as
described. When schools are searching for a teacher, they will receive a list of teachers who meet the
full criteria (100%) and also teachers who partially meet the criteria (99% to 75%).

12. New NISTR Booking process – Updating your profile/ experience

Are you able to define your subject area in the new NISTR solution?
Yes.

Are the core subject and 2nd subject information points a mandatory requirement in the new
NISTR solution?
The core subject is mandatory (need to provide at least one subject). The second subject is not
mandatory.

Does the new NISTR enable this further education sector teaching experience to be put in within
the teaching experience section?
Yes.

Does the new platform allow for input of level 3 teaching experience that is in further education
sector and specialist industry-based experience?
Yes, you will be able to provide that information within your Non-Teaching experience section
13. New NISTR booking process - Retrospective bookings
Why has the ability to complete retrospective bookings been removed from the new NISTR
solution?
Through engagement with supply teachers, schools, employing authorities and trade unions it
became clear that retrospective bookings were one of the main factors causing the difference
between a supply teacher’s recorded availability on the system and their actual availability. This and
other contributing factors has led to schools needing to make up to 90 phone calls to individual
teachers before being able to find one to fill an available role.

It is recognised, however that the old system didn’t make it easy for schools to confirm bookings on
the system at the time of agreeing a booking with a supply teacher. Interacting with the system on a
mobile device was a poor user experience and the booking required many data items to be entered
before the booking could be confirmed that were unnecessary. As a result, the booking process on
the new solution has been greatly simplified. To confirm a booking, a school will only need to enter
the following minimum information:

 Booking Start Date

 Booking End Date
 Key Stage
 Core Subject (If post-primary)

This will generate a list of supply teachers on the new solution. The school user can narrow down this
list of results if they wish using a range of filters. All the school user then has to do is click on a supply
teacher to review their profile and then click “Make Offer” to offer the booking to that teacher. Once
the supply teacher accepts the offer the booking will be confirmed.

All other information that was previously required to create a booking has now been moved to the
booking sign-off stage. This includes:

 Name of Permanent Teacher Being Covered

 TR Number of Permanent Teacher Being Covered
 Reason Code
 Teaching Allowance
 Special Educational Needs Allowance
 Hours and minutes of booking (if applicable)

A school user is free to populate these remaining fields at any point during the remainder of the
payroll month before sign-off or partial sign-off (if the booking is spread over more than one month)
at the end of the month.

It is expected that with these changes to the booking process, there should be no need for a school to
carry out retrospective bookings. Therefore, every school will have until 11.59pm on the start date of
a booking to offer it to a supply teacher, otherwise this will be considered a retrospective booking. In
this case, the school must contact the NISTR Administration team to have the booking dates released
to them so that a booking can be made.

Does retrospective booking include the present day in the case of urgent bookings?
Schools will have until 11.59pm that same day to finalise the booking details and to process the
booking. If those details are finalised the booking will not be considered a retrospective booking, we
have simplified the administration needed to process a booking to make the booking process as time
efficient as possible.
14. Supply Teacher Payment
Will the payment process be impacted because of the new NISTR solution?
All payments will continue to be processed through the Department of Education payroll team, there
will no planned interruptions to this service.

15. User acceptance Testing

What is User Acceptance testing? 
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is an activity that is undertaken to provide end users of NISTR (i.e
Teachers, School admins staff) an opportunity to test the solution before the system is released to all
end users. The testing provides feedback and highlights any areas of the solution that may need
further refinement.   

I am interested in taking part in User Acceptance testing, what do I need to do?

If you are interested in taking part in UAT please email edis@eani.org.uk for more information.
Testing will take place between the 25th -  10th  of August, and you will be required to attend in
person or remote sessions to complete the testing.  Further information will be provided on receipt of
your interest.

16. New NISTR Training 

How do I sign up to training sessions?
Please use the links shared below or visit the NISTR website at www.nistr.org.uk . The links will take
you to a dedicated booking page where you will be able to select the most suitable date and time for
your training.

Please click here to book a session for Schools 

Please click here to book a session for Supply Teachers 

Once you have selected your booking, you will be provided with a confirmation email and a link to
join the MS Teams webinar. You will also receive a reminder email the day before the training session
with the required links and instructions.   
Training Sessions timings and links will  also  be communicated via the following channels: 

• NISTR Website

• Direct email (for those already registered with NISTR)  

• Via University updates (for newly qualified supply Teachers)

How long will the training sessions be? Will they be within School hours?  
The training sessions for Teachers will last no longer than 1.5hrs each. Supply teachers will be
required to book on to one training session only. All training will take place prior to the academic
year starting. Training sessions will be available in the morning and afternoon across several dates.

I am a Supply Teacher and I am unable to attend the Supply Teacher training dates, should I attend
the School user training dates instead? 
It is recommended that you should only attend training for your type of user group. The training will
be tailored to the specific processes and features for each user group (Teachers or School users).
What if I cannot attend any of the training dates? 
If you are unable to attend the training dates proposed, please refer to the self help support
materials (that will be shared prior to the solution go live in August) to provide you with an
understanding of how the new solution works. Training sessions will be recorded and made available
for viewing at your convenience.  The solution is designed to be intuitive, proactive and very user
friendly, reducing the need for heavy investment in training. Based on end user feedback, we may
look to hold additional training sessions or specific ‘Deep Dive’ sessions. 

 I do not have MS Teams? How do I attend the training? 

All school users will be able to avail of the current MS Teams application via their schools managed
device. For those that do not have the MS Teams application, you will be able to access the session
online via your browser (when you click on the link it will give you an option to do this) or download
the MS Teams application and access the session as a guest. Further details on how to access the link
will be provided in the confirmation email once you have booked on to a session.    

Will there be a user guide, and will further information will be provided to all users regarding
training tools?
Yes, there will be range of support material provided in written and video format to support each
area of the solution, this will be distributed to end users email and available on our website. We will
also be recording the training sessions and making a copy of these available for those that would like
a refresher or if a training session date/time is not suitable. There will be a section of the website
dedicated to training, this will be available from Mid- Late August.

17. Career breaks

Is it possible for teachers on career breaks to be a supply teacher in this coming academic year?
Career Break teachers will be required to contact their Board of Governors and their employing
authority for further information, as this would be an employment decision and outside the scope of
NISTR to answer.