Groundbreaking Partnership Officially Launched: Schools Mutual Services, Cambrian Learning Trust, and OTSA Unite for Ethical Supply Staffing
We are delighted to announce that the pioneering partnership between Schools Mutual Services, Cambrian Learning Trust, and OTSA was officially launched last week at a meeting attended by all Cambrian Headteachers, alongside representatives from OTSA and Schools Mutual Services.
This important milestone marks the beginning of a collaborative journey to deliver an ethical, not-for-profit, values-driven alternative for Cambrian Learning Trust schools in Oxford and beyond.
Richard Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Cambrian Learning Trust, shares his vision for the partnership:
“It is with immense pride and optimism that I announce our groundbreaking partnership with Schools Mutual Services through our association with OTSA – establishing a collaboration rooted in shared values and a steadfast commitment to ethical, not-for-profit supply staffing.
This alliance marks a significant step forward for Cambrian Learning Trust schools in Oxford and beyond, offering a values-driven alternative that places people before profit and education at the heart of every decision.
Together, we are forging a new path in educational supply staffing, where fairness, mutual support, and the wellbeing of our staff and students take precedence. By joining forces with Schools Mutual Services, we are ensuring that our schools have access to high-quality supply colleagues who are justly rewarded for their vital contributions: supporting our mission and helping us to reduce costs for schools while supporting and uplifting our valued educators.
As we move forward, I am excited by the momentum of this initiative and the positive impact it will bring to our schools. This partnership embodies our dedication to nurturing growth, inspiring minds, and building a brighter, more equitable future for education in Oxford and the surrounding region. I look forward to the journey ahead and to the many successes we will achieve together.”
OTSA
During 2024, OTSA undertook detailed research into the charges levied by supply agencies, both for daily supply staff and permanent staff finder’s fees. The findings revealed a significant gap between what supply colleagues are paid and what schools are charged.
OTSA’s mission to reduce supply costs for schools whilst paying supply colleagues more has driven this partnership with Schools Mutual Services, a non-profit supply and recruitment organisation. Working with Schools Mutual Services could keep as much as £800,000 a year in Oxfordshire schools – funds that would otherwise be lost to agency profits – while ensuring supply colleagues are better rewarded.
SMS’s Oxfordshire office in Littlemore, and Jason, Georgia and Jasmine are actively recruiting supply colleagues to support Oxfordshire schools with their supply and staffing needs. We are on a mission to make a difference and invite you to join us by registering with Schools Mutual Services today!
SMS Principles:
- To provide high-quality and reliable support staff and teachers for all schools.
- To ensure fair pay and conditions for staff, while remaining fiercely competitive.
- To give back to schools by not extracting excess profits from education.
Contact the team:
Jason@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
oxford@schoolsmutualservices.co.uk
01865 597 771
