SUPPLY teachers in Wales are being forced to take second jobs delivering pizza or working on checkouts as a result of poor pay and conditions, it has been claimed.

Angela Sandles of Undy worked in primary schools in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Cardiff for about 13 years, until leaving to become a supply teacher in 2011 when she became a foster carer with husband Tim.

But the 58-year-old said practices within employment agencies providing supply teachers, which many schools are required to use, meant many were being left severely out of pocket, with some forced to take second jobs.

Mrs Sandles said, when she left full-time teaching she was earning £38,000 a year, or £195 a day. But she said agencies employing supply teachers retain about a third of the amount they are paid by schools, leaving staff themselves severely out of pocket, with some left on as little £85 a day.

"It's about time this was brought to the public's notice," she said.

"Lots of supply teacher are doing second jobs like pizza delivery or working on checkouts.

"Supply teachers are earning less than half the pay of a normal teacher, as little as £85.

"We are highly-skilled graduates but lots of teachers are voting with their feet and leaving the profession."

Mrs Sandles and other members of the profession will be lobbying outside the Senedd under the banner of Fair Deal for Supply Teachers, between midday and 2pm on Wednesday, October 25.

The campaign has won support from Plaid Cymru's education spokesman Llyr Gruffydd, who said: "Plaid Cymru would like to see a not-for-profit agency set up as in Northern Ireland or a cooperative for supply teachers to coordinate with schools and local authorities.

"This kind of model would ensure more money goes directly to the teachers, would keep money in the education system rather than spent on dividends and create a degree of flexibility for schools and teachers alike."

And his Welsh Conservative counterpart Daren Millar said: "Supply teachers play an extremely important role in our schools.

"They must be given proper recognition for that role and given access to the training and support they need."