20th Quality mark for teacher agencies awarded

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has recently awarded the 20th Quality Marks for Teacher Agencies on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills to Focus Education following a rigorous application process.

The creation of the Quality Mark, which was announced by the DfES and the REC in May 2002, sets minimum standards for agencies to reach in the way they recruit and interview staff, how they check and manage their staff and the way they stay at the forefront of changes in the teaching sector. The agencies are also assessed on how they relate to schools and teachers. References from schools have to be provided as part of the process.

Focus Education was the 20th agency to be awarded the Quality Mark. Mike Rees-Boughton, Director, Focus Education said: ìWeíre delighted to have been awarded the 20th Quality Mark. The combined efforts of the DfES and the REC have resulted in agency standards being greatly improved. Since receiving the Quality Mark, we have gained additional schools as clients, a good indication of the importance given to the Quality Mark initiative.î

The following agencies have been awarded the Quality Mark:


Academy Supply Agency Ltd
Capita Education Resourcing
Celsian
Dream Education
Focus Education
GB Recruitment (Staffs) Ltd
ITN Teachers
Kelly Educational Staffing
Link Education Ltd
Louis Paul Recruitment
Protocol Teachers
Quay Education Services
Reed Education Professionals
Select Education Plc
Standby Teacher Services
Supply Desk
Supplynet Recruitment Ltd
Teach London
Teachers Workline
TimePlan Education Group Ltd


A further 17 agencies are in the process of having their applications scrutinised.


Commenting on the awarding of the 20th Quality Mark, Gareth Osborne, Managing Director of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation said:

ìIím delighted that 20 agencies have been awarded the Quality Mark and urge all education recruitment agencies to apply to be considered. Raising standards in the recruitment of supply teachers is of paramount importance, and the Quality Mark initiative is an important step in achieving this.î

For further information, please contact the REC press office on 0207 618 9106.