There are over 1,000 education recruitment agencies in the UK. Some are excellent. Many are mediocre. A few are actively damaging to teachers and schools. Whether you're a teacher choosing where to register or a school choosing a supplier, these 10 questions cut through the marketing.
Questions for teachers to ask
- Are you REC accredited? (If not, walk away.)
- Do you pay PAYE or via an umbrella company? (PAYE is almost always better for the teacher.)
- How is AWR calculated and applied? (You want a clear, written process.)
- What's your average margin on my day rate? (Ethical agencies will tell you.)
- Do I have one consultant or am I in a pool? (One consultant means better matches.)
Questions for schools to ask
- What's your full vetting process and what evidence do you provide for each candidate?
- What's your fill rate on early-morning supply calls?
- What's your written rate card, and what's the agency margin on top?
- What's your replacement guarantee for permanent placements?
- Can I speak to two reference schools you've worked with for over a year?
What honest answers look like
A good agency answers all 10 of these clearly, in writing, on first request. A weak agency hedges, mentions 'commercial sensitivity', or pivots to talking about how friendly their team is. Friendliness is a baseline expectation, not a differentiator.
How GAC Education answers
We're REC accredited, we pay PAYE, we publish AWR calculations, we share margins on request, every teacher gets a named consultant, and our written rate card is available before you sign anything. Get in touch and ask us anything.