Business Details
25 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Education Recruitment Services in North West
Premier Education has established itself as a leading specialist in education recruitment since its founding in 2001. Our expertise spans Early Years, Primary Education, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) sectors across the North West of England. We pride ourselves on delivering a service rooted in honesty, trust, and integrity, ensuring both schools and education professionals receive unparalleled support. With over two decades of experience, we have cultivated long-term partnerships with schools, nurseries, and candidates, reflecting our commitment to efficiency and professionalism. Our team of dedicated consultants, many with teaching backgrounds, works collaboratively to understand the unique needs of each client and candidate, ensuring tailored solutions.We offer a comprehensive range of roles, from day-to-day supply teaching to permanent positions, alongside rigorous vetting processes and ongoing professional development opportunities. Our SiR-compliant status and enhanced DBS checks underscore our dedication to safeguarding and quality. By maintaining a personal, friendly, and flexible approach, we strive to be the preferred recruitment partner for schools and educators alike. Our track record of successfully placing thousands of teachers and support staff highlights our deep understanding of the education sector. Through continuous innovation and a focus on building lasting relationships, Premier Education remains a trusted leader in education recruitment.
Services
Supply Teaching
Teaching Assistants
SEN Staff
Nursery Nurses
Non-Classroom Roles
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in education recruitment.
- Our team consists of certified experts with teaching backgrounds.
- We offer rigorous vetting processes for staff and schools.
- We provide flexible working options for candidates and clients.
- We maintain competitive and tailored rates for all services.
Associations and certifications
- Safer Recruitment (SiR) Compliant
What people say
Fantastic service
Excellent candidates
Flexible working options
Rigorous vetting
Tailored placements
Services
Supply Teaching
Supply teaching roles provide flexible opportunities for qualified teachers across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary schools. We offer day-to-day, short-term, and long-term placements tailored to individual availability and preferences. Our candidates gain diverse classroom experience while schools secure reliable, vetted staff to meet unexpected absences or ongoing needs.
SEN Staff
Special Educational Needs (SEN) staff placements cater to mainstream and specialist schools requiring expertise in behavioural, emotional, and physical learning challenges. We supply experienced teachers and assistants who deliver targeted support for children with complex needs, ensuring continuity of care and educational progress in inclusive environments.
Teaching Assistants
Teaching assistant roles range from emergency cover to extended placements, supporting educators in managing classroom dynamics and individual learning needs. Our assistants work with full classes, small groups, or one-on-one to enhance pupil engagement and academic outcomes across various educational settings.
Nursery Nurses
Nursery nurse placements address staffing requirements in private day nurseries and school-based early years settings. We provide qualified professionals for part-day shifts, maternity cover, or extended contracts, ensuring consistent childcare provision aligned with Ofsted standards and developmental frameworks.
Non-Classroom Roles
Non-teaching roles include caretakers, IT technicians, science technicians, and administrative personnel essential to school operations. We supply vetted professionals for emergency, temporary, or permanent positions, maintaining institutional functionality through experienced support across technical, maintenance, and office functions.
People
Alistair McCrone
Director
Alistair founded Premier Education in 2001 after a career in farming. He developed a unique recruitment approach, transforming the agency into a leading North West supply specialist. His leadership focuses on personal relationships and ethical practices.
Clare Bent
Director
Clare co-founded Premier Education with Alistair in 2001. A former secondary English teacher, she brings educational insight to recruitment strategies. Her approach combines charm, patience, and dedication to candidate-school partnerships.
Amy Tomkins
Primary Education Consultant
Amy specialises in primary education recruitment, connecting schools with qualified teaching staff. Her expertise ensures tailored placements that meet both institutional requirements and candidate aspirations across the North West region.
Beth Wright
Primary Education Consultant
Beth supports primary schools in securing temporary and permanent teaching staff. Her consultative approach prioritises understanding school cultures and matching educators' strengths with specific classroom environments and community needs.
Mandy Hambleton
Finance and Payroll
Mandy manages financial operations and payroll processes, ensuring timely and accurate payments for supply staff. Her role includes handling tax, national insurance, and holiday pay compliance for Premier Education's candidates.
Questions
What education sectors do you recruit for?
We specialise in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) sectors across the North West of England.
How do you support Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)?
We offer dedicated NQT guidance, including interview preparation, lesson observation support, and supply placements that build experience for permanent roles.
What payment options are available for candidates?
Candidates receive weekly payments, with tax, national insurance, and holiday pay managed by our payroll team.
How do you ensure staff quality and safety?
All staff undergo enhanced DBS checks, employment history verification, and compliance with Safer Recruitment (SiR) standards.
Can I work with multiple recruitment agencies?
Yes, though we recommend selecting agencies with local expertise and support aligned with your specific educational sector needs.
Do supply roles count towards NQT induction?
Yes, if the placement lasts one term or longer and the school agrees to support your induction requirements.
Reviews (7)
Mr. Gallagher
Jun 07, 2022
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I found premier a fantastic place for work. They are so quick to find a job for you in an area that is suitable and always work around you. If you are out of work, premier are very quick to find you work again. It has been an absolute pleasure working for one of the best agencies! Very highly recommended if you want steady supply work!
Fiona Cornish
May 29, 2022
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As a newly qualified teacher with Premier Education, I gained a wealth of experience as a supply teacher. Premier Education provided me with work opportunities every day, including the school holidays. I was able to work within a variety of schools across Cheshire, Stockport and Derbyshire, where I always felt welcome. As well as day to day supply teaching, I also had the opportunity to do long term supply within one school as a class teacher; this allowed me to further develop my skills and knowledge as a new teacher.
The staff at Premier Education are all friendly and helpful, they always keep in contact throughout placements and often check up on you after a days work to see how it went. Additionally, Premier also take into account your desired work opportunities and take into consideration which year group or key stage you would be most comfortable covering. This has enabled me to gain experiences across Primary School age groups. I highly recommend Premier Education for Early Career Teachers and experienced teachers.
The staff at Premier Education are all friendly and helpful, they always keep in contact throughout placements and often check up on you after a days work to see how it went. Additionally, Premier also take into account your desired work opportunities and take into consideration which year group or key stage you would be most comfortable covering. This has enabled me to gain experiences across Primary School age groups. I highly recommend Premier Education for Early Career Teachers and experienced teachers.
Emma Marshall
Mar 23, 2022
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Everyone in the team is very helpful, and take great care in providing positive experiences with school and nursery work. The work had been consistent with my availability and understood my requirements. Very happy with the service and I can't recommend enough.
Clare Essex-Crosby
Feb 16, 2022
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Alistair and the team at Premier Education were great at finding me work (even though I could only work 2 days). Sometimes work would be planned in advance and other times it was a call at 7:30am. They would try and provide you with details about the school, giving you the year group and letting you know if work was set in advance so you could prepare yourself before arriving. I was hesitant at doing supply, having relocated to the area and not working since maternity, but they filled me confidence.
I soon realised that I could trust in my ability. Supply has made me more flexible in my teaching. And it has definitely made me a stronger and more able teacher. Thanks for the work Premier Education.
I soon realised that I could trust in my ability. Supply has made me more flexible in my teaching. And it has definitely made me a stronger and more able teacher. Thanks for the work Premier Education.
Charlotte Downing
Nov 03, 2021
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Alistair and the team at Premier Education have been amazing and I would highly recommend them! After joining in the middle of (the first) lockdown - Alistair provided me with consistent work for the last 12 months, ultimately resulting in employment from one school I had worked with through Premier. Once placed, the support from Premier continued with regular phone calls and emails. Working in a variety of different placements in a variety of different ages and key stages really built my confidence in the classroom and helped me develop my own pedagogy.
I would recommend supply to any Early Career Teacher as a brilliant foundation for developing your ideology and Premier Education is the perfect place for it. The team go over and above to ensure you are happy, valued and hear a familiar voice (as the lack of familiar colleagues can be difficult at first). This really makes you feel like part of the team! Whilst I'm over the moon to have secured something permanent - I am sad to be leaving Premier Education.
I would recommend supply to any Early Career Teacher as a brilliant foundation for developing your ideology and Premier Education is the perfect place for it. The team go over and above to ensure you are happy, valued and hear a familiar voice (as the lack of familiar colleagues can be difficult at first). This really makes you feel like part of the team! Whilst I'm over the moon to have secured something permanent - I am sad to be leaving Premier Education.
Antonia Hutchinson
May 30, 2021
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Over the past few years, it has been a great pleasure working for Premier Education as a supply in different roles. I want to thank Alistair for his professional and friendly approach, when arranging supply placements. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a supply teaching agency as Premier Education is supportive and professional. In the future, if I ever need supply work, I wouldn't hesitate to get back.
Paul Mercandelli
Apr 13, 2021
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Can't praise the company enough, I joined the Premier Education team in the first week of lockdown 1.0! It would have been easy for them to end the role there and then with schools closing and me not being liable for furlough but they were amazing, stood by me, put me through training and ensured that I was happy, both in and out of work. They have supported me brilliantly in my tenature with them and I only left as I had a offer to do something totally different that is 6 minutes from my door instead of a 1hr drive each way every day. I was a Senior Recruitment Consultant and can honestly say that the company do value the team they have and it is a positive and enjoyable place to work, wish you all the very best.
