Thinking of Joining a Supply Agency – or Switching to One That Truly Works for You?
Choosing the right agency to represent you isn’t just a career choice – it’s a personal one. You deserve a team that listens, understands, and delivers. So, before you decide, here are 8 key questions to ask - and the West Country answers:

1.       Does the agency you are looking at actually work with schools in your area?

There are 228 primary schools in Wiltshire – West Country have worked with 182 different schools in the last 2 years reassuring you that wherever you are in Wiltshire and the surrounding area we have a presence.  We don’t do secondary or FE – we’re proudly and exclusively primary specialists. That’s why we’re Wiltshire’s #1 Primary Supply Agency.

2.       Is the agency that you are looking for reputable?

West Country retain Audited Education status from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. This ensures we are audited to meet the highest professional standards in the sector. We are recommended by both teachers and schools and have several former headteachers now working with us, having trusted us throughout their careers. You can find out more about what our teachers and schools think in our testimonials.

3.       Do they listen – really listen?

You're not just a name or payroll number. West Country meet every teacher face-to-face, get to know your needs, and tailor your placements accordingly.
West Country was started 28 years ago with the aim of placing local teachers into local schools.  We have teachers who have remained on our books for 20 years or more and over 35% of our current teaching staff have worked with us more than once – returning to an agency that they know works hard to prioritise their needs and personal circumstances.  What more do we need to say?

4.       Are there Gimmicks?

Be wary of gimmicks which are meant to draw you in. Golden handshakes and inflated daily rates may look great – but remember these are being funded by schools with exceptionally tight budgets – they may use the agency who is offering this in an emergency, but high charges will not build lasting relationships or offer repeat work opportunities.  West Country focus on fair pay, fair fees, and long-term relationships that benefit you and the schools, ensuring that we can offer work in great schools all year round.

Be cautious of requests for exclusivity or requirements that tie you in. Supply work is supposed to be flexible, and a reputable agency will be happy for you to work with more than one agency as they will understand that you need to maximise your working opportunities. At West Country we will never tie you down with onerous or restrictive conditions or limit your ability to procure local work. We know we are able to offer our teachers the work that they need but we also understand that at the start of the year and sometimes towards the end of the year it can seem a little quiet – being on the books of more than one agency can offer reassurance at these times.

5.       Will you still have access to training?

Absolutely. From in-person training sessions to a wide range of free online CPD courses, we help you stay current and confident – even if you're stepping back from full-time roles.

 6.       Will I be paid fairly?

West Country pay fairly; we pay long term roles on the Main Pay Scale and work hard to maximise teachers pay whilst respecting severely constrained school budgets. We monitor the market closely and feel that our current rates of pay are more than competitive.

7.       Why do some companies use Umbrella Bodies?

If the agency you use is operating through an umbrella body, you need to research and understand the implications that this could have for you. They may offer higher pay but the costs to you can be substantially more. You may be requested to pay Employers National Insurance, Employers Pension Contributions, and a profit margin to the Umbrella Body.  These may more than cut in to an attractively higher daily rate. WE DON'T DO THAT. At West Country you’re paid directly via PAYE - always.

8.       Do you know who you are working with?

Meet the people who are going to represent you in your career. We meet all our teachers for face-to-face not just to get to know you and your working requirements but to allow you to get to know us. You come into the office and see how we work and what we can offer to you as an individual. Choosing a supply agency is just as important a decision as choosing a school for a permanent contract – You should feel confident and supported – and know that your agency is genuinely working for you.  That’s what West Country has done for 28 years and it’s what we will do for you.

Want to find out more?
Get in touch – we’d love to meet you and talk about how we can support your supply career.