GROWING A SUCCESSFUL TEACHING AGENCY

As the Director of Teachers today I believe that it is essential that we practise what we preach!
Yes, that is correct we are probably the only teaching agency that both Directors of Primary and Secondary still teach in local Brighton & Sussex schools.

I could take the easy option, sit behind a desk, organise others and thus lose touch with how schools operate. I believe this would not do justice to the service we provide.

Having only ever worked in Secondary schools I decided this year that I wanted to gain more experience in a PRU setting (Pupil referral unit). You may be thinking, why?

Firstly, it is essential that I have a greater understanding of different provision within our education system. Improving my depth of knowledge can only develop both myself as an educator, and the staff that work with us at Teachers today. This insight allows me to think about the type of placement that would be best fit for a particular person. Matching a school to the personality traits of a candidate is vital for a successful placement. I have heard on many occasions where staff have been placed without thought, seen as a commodity and not a ‘precious gift’.

Placing the wrong teacher in a school can only result in severe damage to your company’s reputation. So what damage can this cause?

Students must be at the heart of what we do as teachers. Having a supply teacher for the whole day in a Primary or Secondary setting is so important for continued learning to take place. How fair is it to students if the agency places the wrong person in a school, it may result in a day of learning lost, or a vital piece of information missed.

The damage this may cause to the staff member may be irreversible. The impression that person will have will only be a negative one of what supply teaching brings. They may feel anxious regarding future placements, question their own ability as a teacher and that of the agency, and decide that it may not be ‘worth the hassle’. Eventually you will lose them, they will look elsewhere.

Sending the wrong type of staff member to a school continuously will place a strain on that working relationship. Schools provide a service to students, use public money to pay agencies for supply teachers,  they will expect and should receive an ‘outstanding’ service.

Some questions that may arise from the school; Does the agency understand education? Can the agency identify the personality traits of what makes a ‘good’ supply teacher? What is the company’s policy on the interview process? Have they met the candidate? Do they really know what they are doing?

At Teachers today we follow all of the legal requirements regarding paperwork and background checks, however we hold the interview process with potential staff in a more informal context. Meeting staff in an office environment is similar to being in school, the teacher persona of how you may think you should act will kick in, and the drawbridge will be raised.

We want to see potential staff in a more relaxed environment where your personality shines through, our meeting take place in ‘coffee shops’. This allows us to see the real you, engaging in conversation, humour, ability to react to questions in a different context and of course, are you on time!! Everything a good supply teacher should possess surely?

We ensure that we keep in touch with staff regularly so that we can be there for advice and guidance. This may be for teaching tips, lesson planning or behaviour strategies in the classroom. We also provide CPD for staff and visit them in the classroom if required. (Please click on highlighted words above for more information)

This blog highlights the important role teaching agencies play. If managed incorrectly the results can be disastrous for all concerned. Managed correctly and focusing on staff will see your company grow.

Teachers today the Brighton based agency has now been focusing on good quality staff for the last two years, as result our brand has exploded in our local secondary schools. We have now taken on a 3rd Director who is responsible for primary education.