What to look for in a UK teaching agency

In the UK, schools partner with Teaching agencies and ask them to source and supply them with both local and international teachers, as there is no central body providing teachers to schools. Good agencies have long-standing relationships with schools in specific areas and they work hard to match the right international or local teacher to the right role/school. Unfortunately, there are many companies that pop up and try to make a quick buck by convincing overseas teachers to take roles in schools that are not suitable for any number of reasons and then leave both teacher and school in the lurch when things don’t go right.

We have written this blog to help you identify the right questions to ask the agencies you are investigating and the red flags to look out for when agency shopping. In short- if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

When you google, ‘teaching in the UK’ there are many pages of mainly UK based agencies with sponsored posts suggesting they are best placed to help you relocate and teach in the UK. It is hard to know where to start and who to reach out to. With over 5 decades of experience in our Aussie office supporting Aussie, NZ, Canadian and South African teachers into UK roles, and as a teachers, we have seen the recruitment landscape change in positive and negative ways over the years. We are really happy you have chosen to read this blog and check out Teach in. We are a teacher led agency, and we are committed to complete transparency, honest and personalised support.

12 Agency Red Flags to Avoid

1. Hidden Fees – Avoid agencies that charge teachers for registration or placement. It is UK schools that pay agencies for sourcing and managing their staff, not teachers.

2. Payroll– If your agency is suggesting you use a payroll provider ( an umbrella company), they are doing this to inflate the look of your gross pay which will decrease dramatically when you have to pay both the employee and employer National Insurance contributions. You will also need to pay a fee for the third party to manage your pay and tax support. You should expect your agency to employ you directly and be your employer or offer options at the least, and not outsource you to a third party.

3.Unclear and slow Communication – If the agency is vague or slow in responding, consider looking elsewhere. If they don’t have a local office overseas where you can reach them easily, they will not be available when you really need them.

4. Lack of Professional Development- Make sure your agency has a proper Induction before you start your job, staff that are experts who can offer bespoke and ongoing PD as needed and that there are opportunities to develop while you are in the UK.

5. No catch ups or networking events for teachers- International teachers need to feel part of a community when they arrive in the UK and build a network. We hold Networking Events regularly, so teachers and staff can stay connected and make friends and share their experiences.

6. Lack of Branch Locations- If your agency only have work in one spot ie: London, you are stuck with going through the whole registration process again if you decide to teach in another location while you are on your working holiday in the UK. We have branches all over England and in Wales, so you have the option to change cities and try new locations throughout your time in the UK.

7. Permanent Only Options– If you agency only offers direct placements to schools, they are immediately clearing themselves of ongoing support on your arrival to the UK- you are on your own and the flexibility to change jobs if things are not working out becomes very challenging. We make sure you have a UK consultant and local branch who will support you as soon as you arrive and throughout your time in the UK.

8. Supply Only Options- If your agency is only able to offer supply this will limit your ability to explore short or longer-term opportunities which pay more and may suit you better. Try and find an agency that can help you explore support, contract and permanent opportunities, so they are not pushing their only work pathway.

9. Lack of Testimonials- If there are no Google Reviews, Facebook reviews and video and text testimonials on their website- stay away!

10. Lack of Transparency- If your agency is dodging questions, not putting things in writing and being vague about important things like pay, terms of service and advice on location, cost of living etc… it is not a good sign. We believe that honesty is the best policy, and our advice and support is based on being frank and clear, so you are making a clear decision. You are relocating to the other side of the world, so you deserve this level of transparency during the process.

11. Lack of Educational Backgrounds- If the consultant you are working with is not a teacher, they have no skin in the game or understanding of what you will expect as a UK teacher and how to match you to the type of school community that matches your style of teaching. This is a red flag. They are essentially a sales consultant.

12. Limited information on their website- Does the agency website you are looking out have a call to action and little else? Have they got free accessible information available for you to look over before having to register. Do they have blogs and articles that support teachers and support staff to make the right decision for them? If not, run a mile.

Here is what to look for in a UK teaching agency

1. Accreditation & Reputation
• Accreditation – Look for agencies accredited by bodies such as the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) or the Department for Education’s (DfE) Crown Commercial
Service (CCS) Framework.
• Reviews & Testimonials – Check reviews from other overseas teachers on Google, Facebook, or teaching forums.
• Years of Experience – Agencies with a long history are likely to have better networks and knowledge of UK school systems.

2. Visa & Sponsorship Support
• Visa Assistance – Ensure the agency helps with free support and advice
• Sponsorship Support – If you need sponsorship, confirm they work with schools that can provide a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

3. Job Opportunities & Contracts
• Permanent vs. Supply Roles – Do they offer long-term contracts, permanent placements, or just supply teaching (daily/short-term work)?
• ? Location & School Type – Ask if they have positions in cities, rural areas, or specific school types (e.g., primary, secondary, SEN).
• Salary & Pay Scale – Ensure they offer competitive pay based on your experience and qualifications (M1–M6 for teachers, UPS for experienced).

4. Relocation Assistance
• Flight Reimbursement – Some agencies offer flight cost contributions. We do!
• Accommodation Support – Do they help you with advice and support in regard to getting started in the UK rental market.
• Banking & NI Number – Will they assist you in setting up a UK bank account and getting a National Insurance (NI) number?

5. Professional Development & Support
• Induction & CPD – Look for agencies offering Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training and support with UK curriculum adjustments and an Induction Day.
• Mentorship – Some agencies provide mentors or coaching for overseas teachers to ease the transition. We make sure all our schools assign a Mentor to our overseas teachers and
that our teachers all have their own dedicated UK Consultant assigned to them.

6. Transparency & Communication
• Clear Contracts – Ensure you understand contract terms, notice periods, and pay structures.
• Responsive Consultants – The agency should be easy to contact and provide clear, timely communication.

7. Compliance & Safeguarding
• DBS Check – Agencies should assist in obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (UK police clearance).
• Right to Work – They should verify your qualifications and right to work before offering roles as well as the other REC requires compliance documents.

Hopefully you have some questions for us and want to book a call. Register here!