>I'm pretty sure your supply teaching work is similar - you probably get paid for the days you do at an enhanced daily rate for the same teaching grade that equates to the contractual days worked by a full-time teacher over 12 months ..
I wish, buildersmate, I wish. That used to be the case- supply rates used to be based on an annual teacher's salary divided by 195 school days so could be £110- £150 (depending on experience) per day worked. But schools are driving down the cost and agencies are competing to win the business; consequently rates are lower now than they were 5 years ago, and sometimes you are only paid as a 'cover supervisor' at maybe £60-80 a day. Still, for quality of life, it's better for me than a permanent role as I can ignore all the planning, marking, training, parents' evenings, after school clubs, detentions, reports, bus duties, pressure to make silk purses out of sows' ears, preparing for OFSTED, putting up displays, etc
But, returning to the question, I'm sure you are right about zero hours contracts. I think they are suited much more to students