Whether you’re an experienced teacher looking for a fresh challenge, a newly qualified teaching assistant wanting to take the next step, or someone who is at a career crossroads looking to enter the world of education and make a positive difference to the lives and futures of our young people, Moxi Recruitment can help you make that progression.

Born out of our responsibility to drive up quality and supply standards within the UK’s education sector, Moxi is an ethical recruitment company that likes to do things a little differently. Not only do we specialise in placing the right people in the right roles, we also seek out natural teaching talent, sharpen potential and hone essential classroom skills with our diverse training programmes, CPD and refresher courses.

Great people make great teachers; That’s the firm belief we hold at Moxi Recruitment! We’re always looking for individuals with the boundless enthusiasm, drive and determination it takes to succeed in this demanding industry. People who have instinctive empathy for others; those who excel in reaching out, shaping young people’s minds and inspiring the next generation.

Sometimes however, the kind of people the education sector so desperately needs, are left on the outside looking due to lack of experience, relevant qualifications, reference checks or even police cautions in their past which, however minor, can still show up on enhanced DBS checks.

So, how do we overcome such barriers? I recently caught up with Kevin Buchanan, Executive Headteacher at Edstart Schools, to see how the autumn term was panning out there, and talk all things education.

Like myself and the rest of the team at Moxi Recruitment – many of whom have worked as teaching professionals – Kevin often feels frustrated by the kind of rigid, traditional criteria that, all too often, sees the very people we need abandon their dreams to become educators because they don’t fit the perceived mould.

“The advice I would give to someone applying for a role in education who may have come up against barriers previously – whether those be experience, qualifications, DBS checks, reference checks – is have a strong CV. A well-written and clearly presented CV really helps you stand out from the crowd, and is a showcase for your skills. Moreover, it is extremely effective in demonstrating why you are the best person for the job.

“The next thing I would say is to personalise your application form. Make it your calling card, and use it as your opportunity to really draw on your life experiences to date. If you’re a parent, for example, then talk about aspects of identifying and managing behaviours, as well as the interventions you would use and have experience of. Above all, be confident in talking about your life experiences with regard to education. Qualifications are an essential element, but these can be gained along the way as you progress. Experience and applied, everyday first-hand knowledge however, is precious and highly valued, and this should really sing out on your application.

“I would also recommend that you really get to know your recruiter and build up a solid relationship, so that they can make personal recommendations to schools you might want to work for. Remember that the processes in place to protect young people are not designed to stop you accessing the classroom, nor make you feel threatened in the process.

“By working with an agency like Moxi Recruitment, they will help you to overcome barriers and work with like-minded schools to make sure that we have the right people in the right place at the right time.”

 For more information about Moxi Recruitment and our extensive range of services, call Anne today on 0300 303 4414, or send an email to: info@moxi-recruitment.co.uk