How to Secure Quality Agency Staff on a Budget? Practical Tips for Schools

With budgets under pressure and a well-documented shortage of experienced education professionals, schools across the UK are facing a familiar challenge: how do you find the right staff without overspending?

While there’s no magic formula, there are practical ways to work smarter with your teaching agency, without compromising on quality. Here’s what to consider if your school is trying to reduce staffing costs while maintaining high standards.

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1. Build a Relationship with the Right Consultant

Having a consultant who genuinely understands your school makes all the difference. At Prospero Teaching, we place real value on getting to know our partner schools, not just the role, but the wider culture, vision, and expectations.

If your agency understands what makes your school unique, they’ll be able to communicate that clearly to candidates, giving you a better chance of attracting professionals who are the right fit—and open to reasonable rates.

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2. Be Open to Emerging Talent

While experience matters, don’t overlook early career teachers (ECTs), apprentices, or those moving into education from other sectors. A skilled consultant can help identify high-potential candidates who just need the opportunity to prove themselves.
Even trialling newer candidates can uncover future stars—many of whom will bring energy, flexibility and enthusiasm, often at a lower cost than more seasoned professionals.

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3. Get Creative with Role Structure

Does the role have to be full-time? Could it be covered across four days? Or job-shared between two candidates? These options not only help you manage staffing costs, but open up your vacancy to a wider range of professionals, parents returning to the classroom, semi-retired teachers, or those looking for better work-life balance.

A good agency will help you explore these ideas, guiding you through alternative staffing models that still meet your needs.

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4. Consider Added Value Over Pay

If your budget is tight, think about what else your school can offer: CPD opportunities (Free with Prospero Learning), mentoring, involvement in school projects, or a strong support network. These benefits really matter to candidates, especially those looking for a long-term home.

A supportive environment can often be just as compelling as a higher daily rate, and your agency should help position your school in a way that highlights these strengths. This can be key to attracting quality staff without increasing spend.

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5. Provide Clear Feedback

If a trial or interview didn’t go as planned, share honest and detailed feedback with your consultant. This isn’t just helpful, it’s vital. It allows them to refine their search and only send candidates who better match your expectations.

At Prospero Teaching, we use every bit of feedback to shape future recommendations and ensure you’re not wasting time reviewing unsuitable profiles.

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6. Explore Broader Support from Your Agency

Beyond staffing, many education recruitment agencies are open to supporting schools in other ways—whether that’s sponsoring events, providing resources, or getting involved in wider school initiatives. If you’ve got budget gaps elsewhere, it’s worth asking how your agency might be able to contribute.

These partnerships often go beyond recruitment and can add real value across the school year.

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7. Stay in the Loop with Insights

Your agency consultant speaks to dozens of candidates and schools every day. Lean into that knowledge. Ask about pay trends, candidate availability, and what other schools are doing differently to attract talent. That insight can help you stay competitive, even on a stretched budget.

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Finding the right staff while sticking to a tight budget is a balancing act, but it’s possible. By working closely with your agency, being flexible, and thinking creatively, your school can continue to access high-quality, cost-effective teaching staff who truly make a difference.