“We are vehemently opposed to the profiteering in the sector and will continue to disrupt the ‘cosy’ relationships that exist in certain regions in England”.
Research published by the Department for Education last year into the use of supply teachers in schools led to several articles in the trade and mainstream press claiming that some job agencies are taking advantage of the demand for state school supply teachers.
Reports of agencies ‘cashing in’ on the state school staffing crisis or that schools are paying ‘almost a 100% mark-up on the pay of supply teachers’ highlight a shocking situation. This will no doubt frustrate schools, teachers and parents alike, and is the fundamental reason why Schools Mutual Services (SMS) exists and why our service is growing across the North East, Oxford and other regions.
The National Education Union (NEU) calls for ‘an end to the domination of commercial supply agencies, where supply agencies siphon off ring-fenced public education funds in the name of private profit’ and asks for experience levels and skills to be recognised – another fundamental reason why Schools Mutual Services was established and why the organisation’s approach supports national pay-scales.
Schools Mutual Services is a true not-for-profit organisation, owned by member schools and governed by serving education leaders. Its priority is to provide a legally compliant and financially responsible solution for education staffing.
Our Governance Board is made up from current executive leaders, and they had this to say: “We are an ethically driven organisation, established for the benefit of the sector and are working with schools and academies nationally to present better options that focus on educational outcomes. We are vehemently opposed to the profiteering in the sector and will continue to disrupt the ‘cosy’ relationships that exist in certain regions in England.
“SMS is committed to delivering ethical, transparent, and legally compliant recruitment services that prioritise both educators and schools. We urge all stakeholders to focus on solutions that benefit education rather than profit-driven alternatives.”
Achieving value for money and identifying ethical options which meet legal obligations from a public procurement perspective are priorities for every school and academy and with the current state of school finances, this is needed now more than ever! Schools Mutual Services provide a fully compliant national solution for all schools, academies and multi-academy trusts.
Public Procurement Compliance: SMS operates in full accordance with Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015 and the new National Procurement Policy Statement (2025). Our approach ensures value for money, compliance with legal frameworks, and optimal allocation of public funds.
No Inducement or Contract Breach: SMS does not encourage supply staff to break contractual engagements with other agencies. Workers have the right to choose their employer, and we simply present a legally compliant, value-for-money option that prioritises fairness, financial transparency and their wellbeing.
Fair and Transparent Financial Practices: Unlike traditional agencies, SMS reinvests surplus funds back into education. Schools pay a fair and transparent rate, ensuring that teachers and support staff receive appropriate remuneration without excessive agency markups.
Ethical Recruitment Approach: SMS provides an alternative to costly private agencies, helping schools manage supply staffing within legal and ethical boundaries. Our participation in the National Workforce Services Framework ensures full compliance with procurement regulations.
With regional offices in Newcastle, Oxford, and Nottingham, SMS works with schools across the whole of the North East, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicester, Oxfordshire and Swindon. Each office is embedded within its local education community, working in partnership with school trusts, teaching alliances such as OTSA, and local authorities to deliver tailored supply staffing support across primary and secondary education, whether that is day-to-day supply teaching or long-term placements. From multi academy trusts to community primary and special schools, SMS is helping educational establishments navigate financial pressures with a smarter, more sustainable solution for supply teachers and support staff, that puts pupil outcomes first.
North East Hub
Portland House, Newcastle, NE1 8AL
📞 0191 933 8300
✉️ info@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
South East Hub
Podium Sandford Gate, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 6LB
📞 01865 597 771
✉️ oxford@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
East Midlands Hub
16 Commerce Square, Nottingham NG1 1HS
📞 0115 646 6460
✉️ nottingham@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk