UK Independent Schools

At Connaught, our speciality is delivering smart recruitment for the long-term to independent schools across the UK. Over the years, we have come to be a trusted recruiter across the sector, recognised for our knowledge, our expertise—and our empathy.

The UK independent school sector is dynamic, diverse and demanding. This poses opportunities and challenges for every school, and each will have their own approaches, needs and value-sets that affect how they respond to the landscape.

The best recruitment strategies respond to these particularities. That’s why understanding each school individually is key to our own model—and why we are able to shape recruitment solutions to suit every school.

Effective Recruitment for the Long-Term

Independent schools are dedicated to providing best-in-class education for their students. In this context, teachers and leaders set high standards for themselves, and parents express high expectations. Good recruitment is key to effective delivery.

At Connaught, we prioritise permanent appointments that can build for the long-term. By taking the time to understand each of our clients in detail, we are able to match their vacancies with best-fit candidates from our wide network of highly qualified professionals.

In aligning candidates with only the right opportunities for them, we ensure that our clients can build their teaching and leadership teams alike strategically, filling vacancies fast but doing so in ways that will last well into the future—powering improved outcomes and ensuring stability for growth.

Swift, Effective, Efficient

We understand that, in the independent education sector, moving quickly is often essential. That’s why we are able to move quickly to fill temporary roles as well as permanent, and why our bespoke searches are also efficient and effective.

From sudden to fixed-term vacancies, our wide network of excellent education professionals means we are well placed to act quickly to fill critical vacancies without sacrificing the quality of appointment for which we are known.

Many of our clients stay with us for the long-term—our results are so consistently successful that we become their go-to recruitment solution. In other cases, we work on a commission basis for a particular role. In all scenarios, we work quickly to scope your need, align it with our deep understanding of the sector we share, and then act to make ideal appointments.

Client Testimonials

Chairman – Mander Portman Woodward Ltd., London

“MPW have worked with Connaught Education for a number of years both on teacher appointments and, more recently, on senior executive appointments. They regard it as a matter of professional pride to deliver entirely to the client’s satisfaction, which is a huge asset.”

Client Testimonials

Deputy Head – St Anthony’s School for Boys

“The Connaught team have been a great support to our school’s recruitment efforts. The service has been unfailingly professional and helpful, with much appreciated regular updates. The quality of candidates has been strong and I appreciate the quality of service which has run alongside sourcing people to fill our positions. I would recommend Connaught’s services to anybody looking to fill a position.”

Client Testimonials

General Manager – Voyager School Travel

“Connaught have been superb. They understood the brief we gave them to the letter and the quality of candidate offered to us has been fantastic. They are quick to respond to any queries we’ve had and always been polite, friendly & great to work with. I would highly recommend using Connaught. We have made many placements with them.”

Client Testimonials

Global Head of Recruitment – Inspired Education

“We started working with Connaught Education in the last year, originally engaged to help with multiple contingent recruitment headaches we had both in the UK and Internationally. I have found the team to be extremely proactive, diligent and transparent. They have worked hard to become part of our extended team and now a valued and trusted partner to our organisation.”

Client Testimonials

Head’s PA – The Mulberry House School

“I’ve worked with Connaught for about a year now and I am so grateful for our partnership and their assistance with recruitment. They work hard to find great candidates that fit well with our school, ethos and goals. They keep me updated and check in with what staffing I need. They impress me with how meticulous and reliable they are with their compliancy standards and efforts to ensure everything is ready before an interview. We have lots of document checks we require however Connaught take it on and ensure everything is prepared ahead of an interview. They are lovely people to work with and have made our school very confident to use Connaught for our staffing requirements.”

Client Testimonials

Headmaster – The Pilgrims School

“Over the years, Connaught has found us some superb teachers, and especially at some difficult times. They have really taken the time to get to know us as a school, and find people who will fit our ethos. I can’t recommend them highly enough.”

Client Testimonials

Headmistress – Buckingham College Preparatory School, London

“I have been dealing with Connaught Education and have found them to be extremely successful in understanding what I was looking for and in supplying excellent teachers, both supply and permanent for the school. The calibre of all these teachers is excellent and Connaught obviously vet their people really well. I have been delighted and always think of them first when seeking either supply or permanent staff.
As a matter of interest Connaught were recommended to me by Dr Trevor Lee at Northwood Prep.”

Client Testimonials

Operations Director – InvestIN Education

“Connaught supported InvestIN with sourcing and onboarding several safeguarding and pastoral staff. Working with Connaught was a delight – they were receptive to the needs and demands of our business and worked very quickly to help us staff our vacancies. They were professional, transparent and efficient, and regularly checked in on the progress of their candidates and were open to feedback along the way. Connaught has some excellent candidates, and we would definitely like to maintain our relationship with the team to help us with our safeguarding and pastoral needs!”

Client Testimonials

Principal – King William’s College, Isle of Man

“We used Connaught a while ago to fill a couple of vacancies and I would definitely use the firm again and I would be very happy to recommend you to any potential new clients. I’m very grateful for all your hard work and support.”