General FAQs

Can Protocol Education help me become a teacher?

Not directly. To find more on routes into teaching in the UK please visit the TDA website.

If you are a qualified teacher who has been out of the classroom for more than 12 months you will need to complete a Return to Teaching Course. EM Direct run courses across the country, details of upcoming courses can be found here

Protocol Education may be able to find work for those with experience of working with children or young people, work as a support worker or degree qualified instructor.

Can anybody work for Protocol Education?

Sadly not. Protocol Education's requirements are quite strict. Completing the Registration form does not mean you have been accepted for work by Protocol Education.

What qualifications/references do I need to work for Protocol Education? 

To work as a teacher we require that you possess a valid teaching qualification, have recent experience of teaching and be able to provide at least two references from recent teaching placements.

In order to work as a nursery nurse you must hold a relevant qualification and have at least 2 professional references covering the last 2 years.

For support workers we require you to have at least 6 weeks recent school based experience and references covering the last two years.

Everyone working for Protocol Education must possess a full clear Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). A CRB check from a 'portable' employer is acceptable if dated within the last 12 months, all other applicants must process a new CRB at a cost of £44 refundable after a period of 44 days work with Protocol Education.

What type of work do you offer?

We offer daily supply work, long-term work such as covering a maternity leave or long-term sickness as well as finding full-time permanent positions for teachers, classroom assistants and nursery nurses. Click here for more information.

How does supply teaching work?

Supply teachers are required by schools and nurseries to cover daily absence. Usually a school will contact one of our offices either around 3.30pm or before 8am the next day to request a supply teacher. Therefore if you are looking for daily supply work you should register with Protocol Education and make yourself available for contact at these times.

Successful supply teachers are fully prepared and ready to go in time for the start of the school day. A supply teacher's responsibilities and teaching requirements vary from school to school and day to day. Protocol Education will make sure you understand what is expected of you before beginning an assignment.

We pride ourselves on the service that we provide to schools and nurseries and hope that you will represent Protocol Education in a professional manner at all times.

Supply teaching is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a number of school settings before taking up longer term or permanent positions. For others it is a great way to balance work and home life.

Where can I work?

We have 16 branches across the UK and provide opportunities in primary, secondary and special schools as well as private and state nurseries, academies, independent schools and family centres. Even if we do not have an office location where you want to work we can still help you via our network of field sales consultants.

How do I register with Protocol Education?

The simplest way is to register online. Alternatively you can find your local branch and call them direct. From start to finish the process should take no more than a few days. Read about the registration process.

How much do I get paid?

The level of pay depends on the type of work that you do and your level of experience. We pay a daily rate of pay which is highly competitive. You’re paid weekly directly into your bank account.

Do you register Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs)?

Yes. Protocol Education has perhaps more experience than any other agency in finding work in the UK for teachers from overseas. In order to be considered you must possess a teaching qualification from an EU country, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or South Africa. Teachers who qualified in other countries will need to contact UK NARIC to ensure their qualification is equivalent.

What assistance do you provide for teachers relocating to the UK?

Our overseas consultants can help find you a job in the UK before you leave. Additionally we are able to give help and advice on visas, work permits and locations, and our Teacher Services Department helps you with accommodation and setting up a UK bank account. See our Teacher Services page for more information.