How to Use Technology to Stay Organised Between Placements

If you’re a supply teacher or education support staff member moving between placements, you know that life can feel a little hectic at times. Juggling calendars, remembering school policies, and preparing for different classrooms, it’s a lot to keep track of. 

At ND Education, we understand the challenges of temporary roles and how important it is to stay organised, confident, and ready to go.

Luckily, technology is on your side. With the right digital tools, you can take control of your time, prep smarter, and transition smoothly between placements.

Here’s how:

Use a Digital Calendar for Scheduling

Whether it’s Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook, a digital calendar is your best friend for keeping track of upcoming placements, travel times, and key dates. You can set colour-coded events, reminders, and even recurring alerts for things like submitting timesheets or checking in with your consultant.

Pro Tip: Sync your calendar with your phone so you’ll never miss a morning update, even on the go.

Organise Your Documents in the Cloud

Keep all your essential documents, including DBS certificates, proof of ID, safeguarding training, lesson plans, stored safely in cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. This way, you can access them from any device, wherever you are.

Why it helps: No more frantic searching for paperwork when a new placement requests something last-minute.

Note-Taking Apps Are Your Secret Weapon

Apps like Evernote, Notion, or Apple Notes let you keep everything in one place — from staffroom codes and classroom layouts to behaviour policies and quick lesson ideas.

You can create a dedicated notebook for each school you work with, so when you return to a familiar setting, you’re already ahead of the game.

Keep in Touch Easily With Messaging Platforms

Staying in touch with ND Education and your placement schools is vital. Make use of WhatsApp, email apps, or even secure messaging platforms like Slack (if used by a school) to respond quickly and keep lines of communication clear.

Quick Win: Create message templates for common updates (like your availability or travel delays) to save time.

Set Up a Simple Task Manager

Apps like Todoist, Microsoft To Do, or even the Reminders app on your phone help you manage daily responsibilities. Whether it’s remembering to bring marking pens or prepping tomorrow’s lesson, setting small checklists can boost your efficiency and peace of mind.

Bonus: Ticking off tasks gives you a little win every day… who doesn’t love that?

Use Travel Apps to Plan Ahead

If you’re working across multiple locations, apps like Citymapper, Google Maps, or Trainline can help you plan your journey, estimate arrival times, and avoid delays. Save your regular school locations for faster access.

Being between placements doesn’t have to mean being disorganised. With a little digital help, you can stay calm, collected, and classroom-ready at all times. At ND Education, we’re here to support you every step of the way — not just in finding great opportunities, but in helping you thrive in them too.

Looking for your next placement? You can register here or get in touch with our team today to see how ND Education can help you take the next step in your education journey.