As Kent’s schools struggle to recruit enough teachers for the next academic year, an education recruitment specialist has launched a new initiative to boost teacher recruitment in the county.
Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, which has five offices across Kent, has seen a 13% surge in demand for supply teachers in recent months, while the availability of candidates has remained stagnant.
To try and solve the issue, the company has announced a series of open days throughout the ‘summer to boost the numbers of supply teachers available to the county’s schools.
Three R’s says the teacher recruitment crisis has made it difficult for schools to attract and retain high quality teaching staff in many subjects, from Mathematics, Science and English to Art, Physical Education and Food Technology.
Nicki Curry, Senior Secondary Education Consultant at Three R’s, said: “We have seen a surge in requests for flexible supply teachers and cover supervisors from secondary schools across the county.
“With large numbers of teachers leaving the profession due to the workload, stress and concerns about their work-life balance, schools in Kent are facing a recruitment crisis and urgently need more supply teachers to fill vacancies before the next academic year.
“Supply teachers play a crucial role in many schools, covering for teachers who are ill, absent or on training courses. Many teachers are choosing supply teaching as a flexible and rewarding alternative to permanent placements. These open days will provide the perfect platform for us to meet the local teaching community and share the many fantastic vacancies that we have available.”
Three R’s is seeking qualified teachers or experienced cover supervisors for a variety of roles, including part-time and full-time positions, as well as daily and longer-term cover. The company will host a series of open days at its offices across Kent during the summer vacation:
Medway, 31st July – Innovation Centre Medway, Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME5 9FD
Thanet, 8th August – Thanet Reach Business Park, Millennium Way, Broadstairs, CT10 2QQ
Ashford, 11th August – 8 Highpoint Business Village, Henwood, Ashford, TN23 3RB
Tonbridge, 18th August – Riverside Business Centre, River Lawn Rd, Tonbridge, TN9 1EP