Why Trust First Class?

Because First Class Supply & Training attaches prime importance to its Recruitment Policy which adheres strictly to DCSF and REC guidelines and is fundamental to the service it offers to its schools and colleges. Its principle aim is to ensure that only appropriately qualified and thoroughly vetted teachers are registered with the agency.

To this end each applicant must undergo a rigorous, face to face interview with one of the agency’s highly qualified educational consultants, who have been extensively involved in teacher recruitment during their careers at the most senior level of school management.

A full copy of the policy is available on request.

At interview the following checks are made:

Identity
A valid passport, birth and/or marriage certificate or driving licence (at least 2) must be produced as proof of identity. A utility bill and bank statement or similar must be provided to validate address.

CRB
First Class Supply & Training is registered with the CRB. All applicants must be in possession of  a current CRB enhanced disclosure. If not they must apply for a new one through the agency. The applicant will not be registered with the agency until clearance is received.

List 99
All applicants are checked against List 99.

GTC
We require that all teachers are members of the General Teaching Council. They must provide a letter of confirmation from the GTC or their GTC membership card.

Qualifications
Applicants must produce their original degree certificate(s) and a letter/certificate confirming QTS status or other relevant qualifications.  These are photocopied for our records and signed and dated by the interviewer.

References
Prior to interview at least 2 references are taken up, which cover the previous 3 years. Both referees should have an educational background and 1 referee should be the applicant’s most recent employer or university tutor. He/she should be able to comment confidently on the teacher’s professional knowledge and performance in the classroom.

Every effort is made to authenticate the identity and status of referees.

Health
All applicants must complete a health declaration.

Code of Practice
We have a written Code of Practice to which we expect all our teachers to adhere. At interview applicants are asked to read the Code and agree to comply with our standards by adding their signature.

No teacher or support worker will be registered with First Class until all the above checks have been undertaken and verified.

We can facilitate your record keeping!

Not only do we insist that all our teachers carry their CRB enhanced disclosure with them on assignments, we also provide them with a Verification Form detailing their disclosure number and date of CRB issue. You only need to photocopy this form for your records.

What do our schools say about us?

“First Class are extremely reliable & always meet our requirements, at times with great ingenuity! We value highly the service they provide & do not therefore use any other supply agency” 
Special Needs School, Newcastle.

A first class service from a first class agency! Thank you and well done!” 
Secondary School, North Tyneside.

“I would recommend First Class to any Headteacher with confidence. Lesley & Steph are part of our team”
Primary School, Newcastle.

“You never let me down. I trust you completely for all my supply staff needs” 
Middle School, Northumberland.

You won’t find an agency with more thorough vetting procedures!