About Standby Education

My Journey in Education Recruitment: From PA and Cover Manager to Standby Education

Hello! I’m Jo, and I’m thrilled to share my journey in education recruitment with you. Born and raised in Derby, I’ve always had a deep connection to my community and a passion for education. My path into this field has been shaped by years of experience working in secondary schools, and I’m excited to tell you how it all began.

My Background in Education

My journey started in October 2011 after several rewarding years as a Personal Assistant (PA) and Cover Manager in secondary schools. In these roles, I had the opportunity to work closely with educators and students alike, gaining invaluable insights into the inner workings of schools. I saw first hand the challenges that teachers faced, as well as the impact they had on their students’ lives.

Recognising a Need

During my time in the education sector, I became increasingly aware of the difficulties schools encounter in finding the right staff. I noticed talented educators struggling to find positions that suited their skills and aspirations. This experience ignited a passion within me to help bridge that gap.

The Birth of Standby Education

Driven by my desire to make a difference, I decided to set up my own education recruitment company: Standby Education. My goal was to create a platform where schools could easily connect with dedicated educators, and where teachers could find fulfilling roles that matched their expertise and values.

At Standby Education, we strive to understand the unique needs of both schools and candidates. We believe that the right fit is crucial for creating a positive and productive learning environment. Our mission is to ensure that every placement contributes to the success of both educators and students.

A Commitment to Excellence

As I continue on this journey, I am committed to fostering a culture of excellence in education recruitment. I recognise that the landscape is constantly evolving, and I am dedicated to adapting to the changing needs of schools and educators. My passion for education remains at the core of Standby Education, driving me to support our community in meaningful ways.

Looking Ahead

I’m excited about the future of Standby Education and the opportunities we can create together. Whether you’re an educator seeking new challenges or a school in need of talented staff, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my journey. I look forward to connecting with you and making a positive impact in the world of education!

 My Journey into Education Recruitment: From Industry Experience to Standby Education

Hello! I’m Matt, and I’m proud to share a bit about my journey into education recruitment and how Standby Education came to life. I started my career in Tamworth before moving to Derby in the late 2000's. I’ve always believed strongly in supporting our local community. My career has been built around helping people find the right opportunities, and education recruitment quickly became the place where that passion really made sense.

A Career Built Around People

My background is in recruitment and business development, where I spent many years working closely with schools, teachers and support staff across the Midlands. Through that experience, I gained a deep understanding of the pressures schools face when trying to find reliable, high quality staff, and equally the challenges candidates face when looking for the right role.

Working closely with both sides of the process gave me a clear view of what works, and what doesn’t, in education recruitment.

Seeing Things Differently

Over the years I saw that many agencies had become very transactional. Schools needed consistency and trust, and candidates needed support and honesty. Too often both sides were missing that personal approach.

That’s where the idea behind Standby Education really resonated with me. We wanted to create something that felt different, local, independent, and genuinely focused on building long term relationships rather than quick placements.

Building Standby Education

Joining forces with Jo to develop Standby Education was about bringing that vision to life. Our goal has always been simple, provide schools with dependable staff they can trust, and give educators access to opportunities that genuinely suit their skills, experience and ambitions.

We focus heavily on long term roles, building strong partnerships with schools, and supporting our candidates properly from registration through to placement and beyond.

Supporting Our Local Education Community

Being based in Derby means we care deeply about the schools and educators in our area. We take pride in being a trusted, local and independent agency that understands the needs of our community.

For me, the most rewarding part of this work is seeing the impact the right placement can have, not just for the school, but for the teacher and ultimately the students.

Looking Ahead

The education sector is always evolving, and we’re committed to evolving with it. At Standby Education we’ll continue focusing on what matters most, relationships, trust, and supporting great educators into the roles where they can make the biggest difference.

If you’re a candidate looking for your next opportunity, or a school needing dependable support, we’re always here to help.

Thanks for taking the time to read a bit about my journey, and I look forward to working with you.