Education recruitment is a high-pressure, fast-moving industry that few people outside of it truly understand. In the latest episode of Talent Matters, Suzie Butler, Communications Director at Philosophy Education, took us behind the scenes of what it takes to staff schools, the challenges of hiring in education, and why the demand for teaching assistants is at an all-time high.
Here are the key takeaways from the conversation:
Education recruitment operates at breakneck speed
Unlike other recruitment industries, education recruiters start their day at 7 AM, often scrambling to find last-minute replacements for teachers and support staff who call in sick. Their dedication is evident as schools legally require staff in place before students arrive, making it a high-pressure and fast-paced environment where quick decision-making is critical.
“We have schools calling us in desperation at 6 AM needing a teacher in class by 8:30.”
Teaching assistants are in high demand
Schools are facing an unprecedented demand for teaching assistants (TAs), particularly to support children with special educational needs (SEN). The number of students requiring one-to-one support has soared—partly due to the long-term effects of COVID-19 on early childhood development—yet funding and staffing resources haven’t caught up. This has made finding the right candidates even more challenging.
“We’ve never seen anything like it – schools now have classrooms where 50% of students need additional support.”
The candidate experience is key to successful placements
Philosophy Education takes a candidate-first approach, ensuring that supply teachers and teaching assistants are well-prepared before stepping into the classroom. This approach involves comprehensive training sessions, trial days, and ongoing support to help candidates navigate the unique challenges of school environments. By prioritizing the candidate experience, the agency aims to make their transition smoother and increase their long-term success.
“We know the better prepared a candidate is, the more successful they’ll be from day one.”
Education recruitment is different from other sectors
Unlike corporate hiring, education recruitment relies less on platforms like LinkedIn and more on CV databases, job boards, and organic searches. Schools prefer to pre-book supply teachers where possible, but last-minute requests are inevitable, making relationships and rapid response times more important than traditional sourcing methods.
“A headteacher isn’t scrolling LinkedIn to find a supply teacher at 7 AM—they need solutions instantly.”
In-office collaboration is crucial
While many industries have shifted to remote or hybrid working, education recruitment thrives in an office-based environment. The fast turnaround times and high volume of daily bookings mean recruiters benefit from real-time collaboration, quick communication, and the ability to solve problems instantly as they arise.
“You can’t replicate the speed of shouting across the office to confirm availability—it’s why we work together in person.”
The role of recruitment agencies in education is evolving
Despite past scepticism about agencies in the education sector, schools now rely on them more than ever. With staffing shortages and increasing SEN requirements, recruiters are playing a vital role in ensuring schools run smoothly by providing trained, high-quality staff on demand. The evolving role of recruitment agencies is not just about filling vacancies, but about becoming trusted partners who can help schools find staff quickly and efficiently.
“Schools are stretched thin—they need trusted partners who can help them find staff quickly and efficiently.”
Suzie Butler – Communications Director at Philosophy Education
Suzie Butler is a qualified and experienced primary teacher who now specialises in education recruitment. As the Communications Director at Philosophy Education, she supports teachers and school staff in finding the right roles while ensuring schools get the high-quality talent they need. With extensive experience in training, resourcing, and career development, Suzie is passionate about helping education professionals take the next step in their careers.
