- Acquisition expands the company’s footprint in the supply teaching market and adds valuable expertise in London and the South East
- Presence in Australia allows Smart to attract a consistent supply of international teachers to London market at a time of shortage in many subjects
TES Global (“TES”), the global digital education business, has acquired Smart Teachers (“Smart”), a leading London-based supply teaching agency. The acquisition is in line with the company’s strategy to expand its footprint in the supply teaching market and adds valuable expertise in London and the South East. Smart will join Vision for Education, which TES Global acquired in June 2014.
Smart was founded in 2005 and currently employs over 80 people across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Around 35% of its UK supply teacher candidates are sourced from overseas - this innovative sourcing model ensures a continuous supply of teachers at a time of shortages in England in specific regions and subjects. A recent survey conducted by TES suggests that school leaders are seeking more creative solutions in response to these challenges, with 26% looking to use more supply teachers and 9% targeting candidates from overseas. Smart’s operations in Australia also include a teacher recruitment business, complimenting TES’s existing Australian presence.
Rob Grimshaw, CEO of TES Global said:
“Smart Teachers is a successful business that allows TES Global to extend our supply teaching footprint into the important London market, offering schools another solution for finding high-quality talent for hard-to-fill teaching roles.
“We have seen how our existing supply business has benefited from becoming part of the TES network in the UK and our new extended business in Australia offers significant potential for further growth.”
Richard Fielding, co-founder of Smart, said:
“I am delighted that Smart has joined the TES Global family of businesses, and look forward to partnering with Vision for Education to build a leading provider of teachers, leaders and support staff for schools across the UK. With TES’ international network, our schools at home and across Australia will gain terrific access to the finest candidates.”
About Smart Teachers
Smart Teachers was founded in 2005 by its very own employees, all of whom remain with the business. With teams in London, New Zealand and across Australia, Smart recruits candidates internationally to fill a wide range of British and Australian school based roles in teaching, leadership, special needs and learning support. For more information, visit http://www.smartteachers.co.uk