The Smart Choice
Frequently Asked Questions
Smart Education Recruitment
Looking for a teaching or school role
Do I have to pay to register?
No. Candidates register free. Upload your CV and we contact you about suitable roles.
What roles can I register for?
Classroom teacher, Early Career Teacher (ECT/NQT), teaching assistant, cover supervisor, instructor or unqualified teacher posts, and other school support roles. Tell us what you want so we do not send the wrong vacancies.
I have just finished university. Can I still apply?
Yes. You do not need QTS to register. We can look at support roles, cover supervisor posts, instructor roles where the school allows them, and teaching posts once you have or are close to — QTS.
Do I need QTS to work in a school?
For most teaching posts in maintained schools in England, yes. You do not need QTS to work as a teaching assistant or cover supervisor. Some academies advertise instructor or unqualified teacher roles. We will say when QTS is required before we put you forward.
What is an ECT?
Early Career Teacher. It replaced the old NQT title in England. It means you have QTS and are in the two-year statutory induction, with a mentor, a reduced timetable and assessment against the Teachers’ Standards.
How do I become a teacher if I only have a degree?
You normally need GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths (and science for primary), then a postgraduate training route that leads to QTS: university PGCE, SCITT, School Direct, a teaching apprenticeship or a high-potential programme. We do not run the course. We help you find paid schoolwork around training, and teaching jobs when you are qualified.
Are there bursaries for teacher training?
For 2026/27 postgraduate ITT in England, the highest tax-free bursaries are in chemistry, computing, physics and maths (£29,000, with a £31,000 scholarship in some of those subjects). Languages and design and technology attract £20,000. Biology and geography are £5,000. Not every subject has a bursary, and salaried routes are funded differently.
What will I be paid?
From September 2026, qualified teachers in maintained schools in England start at £34,069 outside London, with higher minima in the London pay areas. Academies can set their own pay. Teaching assistant and cover supervisor pay is set by the school or local authority and should be on the advert or in the brief.
Can I do temporary work first?
Yes. Supply or fixed-term cover is a normal way to start, get references and then move into a permanent post if both sides want that.
What should I put on my CV?
Degree and subject, GCSE English and maths (and science if relevant), QTS or training status, phase and subjects you can teach or support, school placements or experience, and the contract type you want.
What checks will I need?
Identity, right to work, enhanced DBS and, where the role is regulated activity with children, a children’s barred list check. Teaching work also needs a prohibition-from-teaching check. If you have lived or worked abroad, overseas checks may be required. You do not need a completed DBS to register; we guide you when a school wants to take you forward.
I do not have school experience. Is that a problem?
It is not always a barrier for TA, cover supervisor or first ECT posts. Be honest. We will not present you as an experienced classroom teacher if you are not.
How soon will I hear back?
A consultant will review your registration and contact you if we have a live brief that fits. If your subject or location is quiet, we still keep your details on file and get in touch when a suitable role appears.
High schools and local authorities hiring staff
How do we start?
Send the vacancy: school name, role, subject, key stage, permanent or temporary, start date, and whether QTS is essential. Use the school registration form or call us. We confirm the brief before we send candidates.
What roles can you recruit?
Teachers, Early Career Teachers (ECTs/NQTs), teaching assistants, cover supervisors and other school roles, on permanent, fixed-term or supply contracts.
What is the difference between an NQT and an ECT?
NQT is the older title. In England the statutory term is Early Career Teacher: a teacher with QTS completing two-year induction.
What must we provide for an ECT?
The Early Career Teacher Entitlement: a mentor, 10% off timetable in year one, 5% in year two (plus PPA), training, progress reviews and two formal assessments against the Teachers’ Standards. We will not treat a short supply booking as a substitute for induction.
Do all teaching candidates need QTS?
For most teaching posts in maintained schools, yes. If you will accept an instructor or unqualified teacher, say so in the brief so we do not filter those people out — or send them in error.
How quickly can you send a shortlist?
It depends on subject, location and notice. Once the brief is clear we search immediately. Shortage subjects (often maths, physics, chemistry and computing) can take longer. We will say if the field is thin rather than fill the inbox with poor matches.
Do you only find permanent staff?
No. We also cover fixed-term and daily or long-term supply. A temporary booking can become permanent when that is right for the school and the candidate.
How do you screen candidates?
Qualifications and QTS where required, subject and phase, right to work, and the safer-recruitment checks your Single Central Record needs: identity, enhanced DBS with barred list for regulated activity, prohibition-from-teaching checks for teaching work, references, and overseas checks where relevant.
When do we get the check confirmation?
Written confirmation of checks should reach you before the person starts. Do not put someone in front of a class on a promise that paperwork will follow.
Can a local authority use you for more than one high school?
Yes. Tell us the LA process and each school’s brief. We will not send the same candidate to two of your schools at once without agreement.
Are you on the GCA supply framework?
We operate as an independent agency. Maintained schools and local authorities can appoint us directly. If your trust must use a framework or a compliant alternative, say that at briefing so we work within your rules.
What does it cost?
Fees are agreed before we start a paid search. The first conversation about a vacancy is part of understanding the brief.