Support Staff

teacher during class

At Hourglass, we know that support staff underpin every aspect of school life.

When a school runs well, it’s easy to overlook the many moving parts which may not be obvious, but mean it’s able to run smoothly. 

Every school needs business managers, admin and finance staff, cover supervisors, examinations officers and school attendance officers to ensure it can operate successfully.

As overseas specialists, Hourglass regularly works with client schools to fill their teaching assistant jobs in the UK. Some candidates come to us for teaching assistant jobs in the UK with visa sponsorship.

Our overseas consultants have expert knowledge of finding teaching assistant jobs in the UK for foreigners. These roles can be an excellent introduction to a career in education, and our client schools often offer teaching assistant jobs in the UK with no experience.  

Recent opportunities

Salary: £36745 to £56959 per Year
Job location: London, UK
Job type: Permanent
Salary: £31350 to £47839 per Year
Job location: Harlow, UK
Job type: Permanent
Salary: £30000 to £60000 per Year
Job location: Luton, UK
Job type: Permanent
Salary: £31350 to £47839 per Year
Job location: Grays, UK
Job type: Permanent

Types of roles we recruit overseas candidates for:

Long-term supply

Long-term supply provides a level of security without the teacher or the school committing indefinitely.

Permanent roles

The majority of the roles we work on are permanent teaching posts in secondary schools in the south east of England. 

Leadership roles

Ambition comes in all shapes and sizes. For some teachers, it’s all about the subject, but for others, moving up the career ladder means taking on management responsibilities.

Overseas teachers

Our role is to provide teachers with exactly what they need to relocate and thrive in the most exciting teaching opportunities in the UK.

Hear from our teachers

Hourglass offers an outstanding teacher recruitment service that I cannot recommend highly enough. Their efficient and personalized approach, combined with their extensive network and genuine concern for educators from anywhere in the world, make them a true dream team for both experienced teachers and
those entering the profession.

If you are looking for a teaching position that perfectly aligns with your qualifications and goals, look no further than Hourglass. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

My experience with Hourglass is quite special as it began several years ago. I was ready to relocate from Jamaica and explore my options as a teacher in the UK. They were able to give me the guidance, confidence, support and information I needed at every step of the process. There was always someone within the team that had the expertise needed to make the transition seamless. If there were questions that they did not have the answers to, they would go out of their way to research and get back to me. What stood out the most was that they were able to keep communication open in different time zones and they did that with a smile.

They always had my best interests at heart and ensured that they found the school that was aligned with my goals and my personality. I stayed at this school for four years and I was able to grow and develop exponentially over that time. They maintained correspondence with me years after my successful placement and I enjoyed those check-ins.

Only a few months ago I reached out with a desire to take on a different role and advance my career. Once again they delved into my personal needs and wishes and ensured that I was streamlined to the opportunities that would be a great fit.

James and Ed worked tirelessly. They were patient, understanding and conscientious in helping me find the my new school. I could not be happier with the decision.

The team at Hourglass will help you with the right placement wherever you are in your career and they will do it flawlessly and effortlessly. Hourglass consultants will always be thoughtful, professional and unbiased. They are a great team that will treat you as a priority and like family.

I believe working with Hourglass Education was no doubt one of my best moves in coming to the UK from Jamaica. So far, they have been absolutely amazing in providing timely feedback, good advice and a great experience. Likewise, the persons I have gotten the chance to interact with (such as Claire, Hannah, Holly, James) are always helpful, considerate, supportive, proactive and true professionals at heart. Something that seemed impossible is now my reality thanks to Hourglass.

The team from Hourglass is a highly competent and caring one. They acted professionally throughout the process of my employment and kept me well informed on the progress of my application. 

What stood out for me using Hourglass was the warmth and compassion they extended. They didn’t simply walk me through the process, rather they held my hand. Thanks a million guys!!! Keep up the awesome work.

Assistance is first class – It was a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend using this service. Thanks.

 

I can personally say that Hourglass is an excellent agency. I was guided by Claire, Holly and James. They were extremely supportive and guided me every step of the way.
James and Claire were very supportive during the interview. Even though the process was overwhelming, I was never alone. Claire regularly sent messages to help guide the process. Whenever I had any questions, Holly and Claire were there whenever I had any uncertainties. Holly was very helpful and my documents were regularly updated. They are making my move to the UK way easier than expected. Thank you team Hourglass!!!!!!

Hourglass Education is the best recruiting agency one can utilize, as the consultants are very organized and helpful. They made the transition to the UK smooth and kept me informed throughout the relocation process. I also got assistance with my visa application to ensure that there are no mistakes. Claire kept me updated with feedback from interviews and job offers. I also received a PowerPoint embedded with useful links to find short-term and long-term accommodation. This means a lot to me as I was able to find somewhere quickly based on my needs. Holly and Claire were able to make the relocation transition easier as a result of their warm personality and professionalism.

I must commend Hour Glass for the excellent job that they have been doing in terms of linking us with schools in the UK who are in need of qualified teachers . I have recently been accepted to teach at a school in the UK and Hourglass has been there for me throughout the entire application process . Always there to answer questions for me in a promptly manner- sometimes they would even communicate to me outside their usual working. I think that Hourglass has any one’s best interest at heart and is an agency I would definitely recommend to anyone.
Special thanks to Holly and Claire .

My mom would always say give credit where it is due. Honestly, this agency deserves an award!
My consultant, Ed Hyland has been informative, friendly, supportive and knowledgeable from the beginning. I am now proud to say that I successfully relocated from Jamaica, have obtained my visa and BRP, and settled in quite nicely to my new role.

I can be said to be a chatter box, but there was always someone at Hourglass to answer my questions, and support me as a newcomer.

Fantastic experience with Ed and Stephanie! Thank you so much for all your help, in making the job application process so quick and easy with everything completed within 4 days from my interview – even with a weekend in between! Highly professional, supportive, encouraging and an amazingly smooth process. You’ve found me the perfectly matched job, I had hoped for and I’m excited to be starting next week. 5 stars!

Great team. Thumbs up to the entire staff and especially to James for being so responsive, supportive and reliable at all times. Claire was a great support as I got ready to move from Jamaica. Professionalism all the way through.

I am elated to say that Hourglass has made my transition to the UK a smooth and easy one. Claire was very helpful in guiding me through the process and  provided me with all the information I needed. I would definitely recommend Hourglass if you decide to relocate – from Jamaica or anywhere else – to the UK to teach.

The only jobs I have truly been successful in have been found by Ed at Hourglass.

I have kept in touch with Ed for the past 3-4 years and he has only found me the best Schools. Ed has gone above and beyond to make sure he only gets me the best Schools and the best outcomes for me. Ed knows his stuff in the teacher world, he communicates well, is very honest and has never let me down as a colleague. I no longer apply directly to Schools,  I just tell Ed what I want and what I don’t want and I leave it in his hands.

Thankful for Hourglass Education in my move to the UK.

I was supported each step of the way by various consultants. Right from the start of the application, when I was back home in South Africa, they helped me find a position, prepare for the interviews and then Claire was fabulous in guiding me through the visa application and relocation process, Highly recommend.

The services provided by Josh, Claire and the rest of the Hourglass team was second to none. 

The team went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable throughout the entire application process – from Jamaica to the UK. I specifically remembered an instance when I made a huge mistake on my application and something happened that I will never forget, this mistake could have cause me the opportunity of a lifetime. 

I am truly grateful for the support that I have received from James and Ed over this past month. James was the first one to take my case, I appreciate him for believing in my potential and treating me with kindness and respect this whole time. I can’t believe that Ed found a suitable role for me in such short time and helped me find a place at a great school in UK. Their actions and advice were always in my best interest.

They were extremely courteous, approachable and informative. I can’t emphasise enough the professionalism they have shown as I moved over to the UK from India.

I am forever grateful to Hourglass Education for helping me to secure the perfect teaching position in the UK. The Hourglass consultants have been very efficient throughout the entire process, from the telephone interview with Josh to the face to face interviews in Kingston, Jamaica straight to the point where I landed in London. They have even kept in touch with me throughout my first couple weeks on the job just to make sure I am transitioning well into the new environment.

Relocating to another country in the middle of a pandemic with all sorts of restrictions on travel is certainly not easy, but thanks to Claire I was able to do with my wife and kids. Hourglass has got to be the best in the business and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a teaching role in the UK.

I’m really impressed with the service I’ve received from Hourglass. Being a Jamaican national, finding a job in the UK seemed like a long shot, but they kept true to their promise and in a few months I was able to move to secure an offer and move to the UK with my husband. 

Special shout out to Claire and Ed who guided me through every step of the process even after we arrived in the UK! Will definitely be recommending this company to others.

James offers a very professional, polite and humane service. He has matched me up with a school that aligns so well with both my past experiences and my interests as well as finding a school in which I feel at home. 

Although I have almost a decade’s worth of experience in education this was the first time I approached an agency based on it being highly recommended by another teacher and I have to say I was incredibly impressed. I can see why so many good schools are connected with Hourglass and with long-term to permanent positions – they clearly are providing schools with high quality staff in a way that is far more efficient for both schools and teachers. I would recommend them to any colleague or friend in teaching.

Hourglass is the best teaching agency I’ve worked with. They’ve kept me in work, in schools I want to work in, and taken the hassle out of the application rigmarole. The team have taken the time to understand what I’m looking for in a role and are incredibly diligent at finding relevant opportunities. I’m certain they wouldn’t send me to a school unless they really thought I’d get on well there. 

Ed deserves a special mention for his frequent check-ins. He calls when he says he will, and is always knowledgeable and professional in his manner, but not without a sense of humour. It’s really reassuring to know that someone is looking out for me, and Ed’s advice always feels like he’s considering my best interests. I’d recommend hourglass to any teachers looking for work.

I had an excellent experience with Hourglass. From the first point of contact with James until I was handed over to Claire to prepare for my relocation from Jamaica to the UK.

No question that I had was deemed to be too much. They went out of their way to make sure that I was clear about everything from start to finish (application to arrival in the UK). 

I had a wonderful experience working with Hourglass. 

I was guided by Claire, Stephanie and James. They were extremely supportive and guided me every step of the way. James first made contact and he made sure I had everything to prepare me for the next stages and both himself and Claire were very supportive during the interview. 

My experience with Hourglass was excellent. It all started with Josh who responded to my emails in a timely and professional manner. Then Ed came along to speak with me about my CV. The process continued with James and Claire who guided and communicated with me in a way that allowed me to feel so comfortable. ( It was nice meeting you[ James and Claire) face to face in Kingston, Jamaica.

I must also commend Stephanie for doing her work in a professional way as well. Overall, I must say that Hourglass is an outstanding recruiting agency.

Ed is an amazing agent! He worked very closely with me throughout the entire process and ensured that I received the best possible offer from the best client. Ed, thanks for your patience and invaluable assistance and support. People like you are why others continue to believe that life is still worth living. Continue to make a difference. I’ll be sure to tell all I know who are looking for overseas teaching jobs to come to Hourglass, specifically to Ed.

Many thanks also to Stephanie, who ensured that I had all the required documents. She never skipped a beat, and because of her, neither did I.

Excellent service overall.

My specific agent ensured I was comfortable and kept informed about everything taking place. It is obviously a team effort at Hourglass. Many agents contacted me at different phases to get specific things done – whether interviews, documents verification, visa details, and even relocation guidance. It was just an amazing experience to work with the Hourglass team, and I have already begun recommending this service to people back in Jamaica who are desirous of finding good jobs overseas without hassle.

I highly recommend Hourglass. 

The staff at Hourglass is great and they guide you through every step of the process. I commend the entire team  for everything they have done to assist me with my move from Jamaica. I also sincerely appreciate James, Ed, Stephanie and Claire for helping me to gain a job and to ensure that my transition to the UK was smooth. 

If you are ever thinking about relocating, Hourglass is the top tier organisation of choice. 

My agent Claire ensured all I needed was at my fingertips, and my transition from Jamaica was smooth and effortless. All the necessary documents, interviews and places to be were suggested with hassle-free instructions. Thanks to Hourglass for making my transition to the UK a success and smooth one.

My experience at Hourglass has been a favourable one. 

The staff (mostly Claire and occasionally Steph) are reliable and honest from the initial introductory stage of the financial obligations, to the job offer, the initial move from Jamaica, to the settling in phase. Any questions that I had regarding my move was answered in a timely manner. No matter how simple or complex the query, Hourglass did their best assist.

On my journey from Jamaica I have received full assistance. Hourglass provided me with adequate information in order to complete the process. 

Thank you to James, the perm team manager for being on hand with his services throughout this entire process, providing information in a timely manner with expounding on details if necessary at any given time. 

Hourglass is a first class recruitment agency which provided me with the requisite information at all stages of the recruitment process. The team worked efficiently to ensure that relocating from Jamaica  was simple and straightforward. James and Claire are experts in their roles and will always go the extra mile to ensure that their clients are truly satisfied.

Great service – attentive, informed, honest and efficient. Lots of supportive and nurturing advice which differentiates from other companies and makes a huge difference to the recruitment process. Thank you very much Ed!

My mom would always say give credit where it is due. Honestly, this agency deserves an award!

My consultant, Ed Hyland has been informative, friendly, supportive and knowledgeable from the beginning. I am now proud to say that I successfully obtained my visa and BRP, and have settled in quite nicely to my new role.

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Candidate Support Hub

We’ve gathered our expertise to offer careers advice to help you throughout your job search. There’s everything from CV tips to interview advice, and plenty for overseas candidates preparing to relocate to the UK.