teaching assistant

teacher

elementary school teacher

cover supervisor

learning support assistant

Teacheractive

After getting the job almost instantly, I was thrust into a special school with children that my experience didn’t align with. I wasn’t warned that this would be a completely new challenge and was led into thinking I’d be doing something more compatible with my experience. Obviously, that school realised I wasn’t what they were looking for and I was placed in a school that required a 1 hour commute, albeit this school was much more suited to me. 

So I finally got put in a school working with autistic children who displayed challenging behaviours, which is what I was told I’d be doing in the first place. However, after many months working there and the school wanting me to apply for a permanent position, the agency emailed me saying I’d taken too many days off sick and that they would cancel my booking if I continued. No sympathy for the fact that I was supporting very physical children and that I was obviously suffering from wear and tear. This was all despite the fact that the school told me they had absolutely no problem with how often I’d called in sick.

I dealt with all this nonsense without complaint. I dealt with being constantly misled and then being threatened with taking shifts away from me. I have no idea how the reviews are generally positive. The only positives I can give is that you can be fairly flexible with what days you work and getting paid weekly is quite helpful (despite the pay itself being poor).

There is a wealth of experience within the company which you need to tap into. The management are very approachable, yet tough on targets, but that’s their job to be as they are so experienced within their fields.

They have an excellent L&D team to get you started on the learning path and it’s all very clear from day one what your expectations are, which Is good. The training doesn’t stop there though, it is a constant through your time at TeacherActive.

The job is tough, with long hours, and lots of KPI’s to hit, and there are different challenges everyday. It made my life easier working with an amazing team who helped and guided me through the first few months all while having a laugh and enjoying it. In my career to date I have not had such a good team around me that I had at TeacherActive, that I gelled with so easily, and I probably never will again! I would highly recommend TeacherActive.

They also have a great promotion success rate at the company and excellent commission structures.

I joined with Teacher Active 2018-2019 and I worked a total of 4 days for them. I decided to go with them over other agencies because they are so nice to speak to-you can ask them anything. Truly, the nicest group of people. When I joined, it was all "we always have lots of work/we work with a lot of schools" etc. It took them 5 months to offer me work and that wasn't even the area or age range I asked to work in. It took another 2 months after that for them to offer me another day. They constantly bombard you with requests for your availability and I don't know why they waste your time. It's honestly all about numbers. On their website they have advertised roles even within my area (schools that are 5 mins away from me) -so why not offer them then? So they either have favourites or it's all a sham. I once found a job advertisement to work with them as a recruitment consultant and on it, it said that bonuses would be given for the number of people recruited-which says it all really. The other agency I went with, as soon as I was cleared I worked the next day and haven't stopped. Literally. Also, they don't pay that well at all. I know 3 agencies off hand (including mine) that pay more and will give you the work you want. 

The interview and on-boarding process was excellent. Everyone is professional and helpful at the Birmingham office. 

To stay as positive as I can in this review (in order for it to not be deleted) you may have to read between the lines. 

I worked in the London Office. The work culture was toxic and unprofessional which is facilitated by the people who have the means to stop it. 

Knowledge of schools is limited across the team and therefore when asking  higher up people for advice, they don’t know and to cover up their lack of knowledge, they’d turn it round on you. On this note, I will highlight that the Area Management was excellent however wasn’t there full time due to having other offices to run. 

Once you pass probation you get 20 days a year to work from home. This is needed when the hours are 7:00 - 17:00. With the long hours I would suggest the company should think about more of a hybrid split.

Very strict on lunch hours, you’re not allowed to go when you want - it has to be agreed as a whole team. If you go beyond your hour, even by a minute, this would be picked up. 

There are multiple reasons I left to say the least. 


I've been in and out of teacher active for a few years now, I use them as my go between whilst applying for jobs after my contract runs out, and for the most part they have been very good.  They email for availability every 2 weeks and phone every evening when I don't have work to put me on standby for the morning, I will also get weekend texts if work comes through for the following week.  Unfortunately in 2024 there does seem to be a lack of supply work going, this isn't the fault of the agency but schools trying to save money and using staff they already have.  Because of this I'm rarely getting 5 days a week (at the moment I'm getting 2-3).

If I were to make a suggestion it would be to maybe catch up with the times when it comes to requesting availability.  I know many other agencys use apps to easily confirm availability rather than always having to reply to an email.  Would also be handy if we had an ID badge to add to our lanyards like other agencys do too.

Otherwise I'm happy with teacher active, I just wish there was more work available.

It was exciting and rewarding to work with TeacherActive as a teaching assistant, cover teacher, and cover supervisor. Visiting different classrooms, making sure lessons went well, and assisting students with their study were all part of a normal day. I learned patience, flexibility, and how to effectively manage different classroom settings in this capacity. TeacherActive's management was helpful and approachable, always willing to help with placements and issues. The culture at work promoted professionalism, adaptability, and teamwork, giving each day a sense of direction. The most difficult aspect of the work was entering new classrooms and swiftly gaining control, particularly when dealing with difficult conduct. The best aspect, though, was forming relationships with the students and watching them flourish. The position remained intriguing because each day was unique. All things considered, I was able to develop professionally and personally in a fulfilling learning environment because of TeacherActive.

I have been working at TeacherActive on a full time basis for over 3 years. I started as a trainee with no previous recruitment experience. The support and training has been second to none. The support from senior management is great and they are always available to give advice and added support. We all receive regular 1-1's and constructive objectives to help aid our own professional development.

The office environments in all the branches I have visited have been amazing and everyone is so friendly and willing to help. Different teams always have competitions running, we have a company AGM in the summer. They have also recently introduced Private Health Insurance and a range of other benefits.

Yes the hours in recruitment are long but you have to be prepared to put the hours in if you want to be successful and earn well. Recruitment is a fast paced and at times stressful career, but the rewards and the buzz of being successful makes it all worthwhile.


I have been in the company for around a month and a half now and in this time I have had no end of support. The management team are amazing and the CEO is brilliant. This is my first role in recruitment and I don't think I could have landed this role in a better, more suited company. The training was very informative and supportive and the perks of the job are incredible. The days, although long, go really fast with clear set goals for the day. Each day brings something different and I am grateful to work amongst an amazing group of people. TeacherActive lives up to the saying "you get out what you put in" meaning if you push hard and work hard, you will get to a point where the commissions you earn are potentially life changing.

I would strongly recommend this job to anyone who is looking for a role to prove themselves and to work somewhere where you feel like you really belong.

What is the best part of working at the company?
They listen, they care, they deliver.
What more can you ask or expect of your agency?

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Stressful? The fact that you don't earn when you don't work, e.g. through the holidays. The sad fate of agency/zero hours contract workers. Independent of the agency you're registered with. Not TeacherActive's fault.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Feels good. Since you mainly interact via phone, you don't end up in an office environment. After thorough checks, you're accepted the way you are. You are who you are and not what you have to pretend to be. No pressure.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
If you've got a long term placement you have weekly contact but otherwise go about your school's business. If you're "on standby", it's hit and miss. But they aim at long term placements which is perfect.

Having worked for another agency previously to Teacher Active i honestly do not know how i survived in my previous role. The training throughout my early days as an consultant all the way through to my leadership development has been second to none.
The hunger and desire to be the leading recruitment agency in the industry runs through every office which is something as a leader i am proud to represent.
Recruitment is HARD that is something you have to accept, working 7am until everything is done 5 days a week takes its toll but the Teacher Active incentives for that hard work are more than worth it for those willing to put in the hard graft.
One of the best things about Teacher Active is the recognition it gives its employees for the good work that they do - the annual AGM is brilliant and a great way for all offices to come together and celebrate each others successes!

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Teaching assistant 681 salaries reported	£101 per day
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Cover supervisor 42 salaries reported	£114 per day
Learning support assistant 28 salaries reported	£95.47 per day

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