About us
Sourcing the best talent for schools & academies. For schools by schools, supporting tomorrows generation”
Schools Mutual Services (SMS) is a not-for-profit, mutual recruitment organisation dedicated to education. SMS was established to keep valuable resources within education with pay and benefits commensurate with colleagues across the sector.
Established by executive leaders of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nick Hurn OBE and Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Louise Levy, our sole purpose is to ensure the dedicated focus, highest quality and lowest cost options for education.
Nick Hurn OBE
Louise Levy
Our philosophy:
Recruitment
Professional recruitment on-boarding and selection service with 365 support
Payroll
We payroll our staff weekly direct from the SMS bank account
Training
Staff receive in-person school-led CPD courses
Health & Wellness
Bespoke Health and Wellness service for all our staff
Our principles:
1. To provide high-quality and reliable support staff and teachers for all schools
2. To ensure fair pay & conditions for the staff employed but to also remain fiercely competitively priced
3. To give back to schools by not taking excess profits out of the public purse
Schools Mutual Services understand the ethos and direction of Trusts and Schools and provide suitable candidates that fit well into the existing workforce when needed. SMS ensure that Trusts and schools receive the best possible candidates to work across schools to help and support existing staff.
With over 40 years of education management and resourcing experience we can really find you the right people. Plus, any profits made by SMS stay in the Education sector, unlike private recruitment companies.
Schools Mutual Services is owned by member schools, not shareholders. And the best news for all schools is that the daily rates charged by SMS are the lowest in the market bar none – without being detrimental to our supply staff who are paid fairly, they are really looked after too!
For example, the SMS daily rate for a Teaching Assistant Level 3 is £85 (the member of staff is paid £65) and for a Fully Qualified Teacher (FQT) it is £145 (the teacher is paid £120).
The SMS approach
Members not Customers
SMS is owned by Member Schools
Efficient Sourcing
Mutual working to source the best talent
Ethical Supply
Best use of public funds and value for money
Professional
Accredited 40+ years education experience
Transparent
Candidate pay & margins
Mutual
Partnership approach, working together
Member Owned
You decide on profit distribution
Best Value
No permanent recruitment fees EVER
Accessible 24/7
Dedicated helpline
Our partners:
