Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Education Recruitment Partner in London, Staffordshire & West Midlands
Zest Education was founded in 2014 with a mission to revolutionise education recruitment across London, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands. Our team combines over 50 years of collective experience in the education sector, ensuring we deliver tailored staffing solutions for schools, nurseries, and alternative provisions. We prioritise personable, honest, and professional service, building long-term relationships with candidates and institutions alike. Our dedication to safeguarding and compliance is evidenced by our APSCo accreditation, a testament to our rigorous standards. We specialise in placing teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff, with a particular focus on early career teachers and SEND requirements.Our consultants possess deep sector knowledge, enabling precise matches between candidates and schools. We pride ourselves on transparency, offering honest feedback to schools and candidates to ensure mutual success. Our compliance team guarantees all placements meet statutory requirements, providing peace of mind for our clients. With offices in Lichfield and partnerships across key regions, we combine local expertise with national reach. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier, further solidifying our reputation as a trusted partner in education recruitment.
Services
Teacher Recruitment
Support Staff Supply
SEND Recruitment
ECT Support
Graduate Programmes
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of combined experience in education recruitment.
- Our personable team builds relationships tailored to individual needs.
- We guarantee transparency in candidate vetting and school requirements.
- Our APSCo accreditation ensures rigorous compliance and safeguarding standards.
- We specialise in hard-to-fill roles including SEND and early career teachers.
Associations and certifications
- APSCo
What people say
Brilliant agency
Outstanding supply staff
Exceptional service
Highly professional
Life savers
Services
Teacher Recruitment
We specialise in placing qualified teachers across primary, secondary, and special educational needs settings. Our consultants match candidates to school requirements using sector-specific expertise and rigorous vetting. With partnerships across London, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands, we provide both short-term and permanent placements tailored to institutional needs.
SEND Recruitment
Our dedicated SEND team recruits specialists for schools supporting children with autism, learning difficulties, and physical disabilities. Consultants like Mitch Joss combine sector knowledge with personal experience to ensure placements meet complex classroom requirements. We prioritise candidates with relevant qualifications and empathy for special educational environments.
Graduate Programmes
We offer graduates classroom experience through cover supervisor and teaching assistant roles. This programme provides hands-on exposure to teaching practices, safeguarding training, and mentorship opportunities. Many participants transition to PGCE or SCITT programmes after gaining practical insights into school operations and pedagogy.
ECT Support
Our ECT Pool connects newly qualified teachers with induction placements across key regions. We provide ongoing support during their first two years, including mentorship and professional development resources. Over 65% of ECTs registered with us secure induction roles, benefiting from our extensive school partnerships.
Support Staff Supply
We supply teaching assistants, cover supervisors, and administrative staff to educational institutions. Our candidates undergo thorough compliance checks, ensuring they meet safeguarding standards. This service helps schools maintain continuity during staff absences while supporting day-to-day operations.
People
Scott Barker
Founder
With 15+ years in education recruitment, Scott established Zest Education in 2014. Known for his transparency and work ethic, he prioritises candidate-school compatibility. Outside work, he enjoys family time and cooking.
Mike Talbot
Consultant
A former teacher with 15+ years in recruitment, Mike specialises in matching educators with schools. He leverages teaching experience to advise candidates and institutions. An ex-cricket player, he now focuses on family life.
Mitch Joss
SEND Specialist
Mitch leads our SEND team with 9 years of special needs education experience. He provides Team Teach training and matches specialists with schools. A devoted father, he balances family time with rugby sidelines.
Liam Fitzpatrick
Head of Primary
Liam transitioned from cognitive neuroscience to recruitment, building strong West Midlands school relationships. He enjoys relaxing with family and his dog, prioritising work-life balance.
Megan Jones
Training Manager
Megan oversees staff development after a sales career. She builds candidate-school relationships across Staffordshire. Her interests include travel, dining, and cultural experiences like her Bali trip.
Questions
What areas does Zest Education cover?
We operate across London, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands, with consultants specialising in local school networks.
How does Zest ensure staff quality?
All candidates undergo APSCo-accredited compliance checks, including DBS verification and reference validation.
Do you specialise in specific education sectors?
We recruit for primary, secondary, and SEND schools, with dedicated consultants for early career teachers and graduates.
What support exists for new teachers?
Our ECT Pool provides induction placements, mentorship, and professional development resources for early career teachers.
How quickly can staff be placed?
Urgent cover requirements are often fulfilled within 24 hours through our responsive candidate network.
Are compliance processes audited?
Yes, we maintain APSCo accreditation and Crown Commercial Service Supplier status for rigorous safeguarding standards.
