Vision for Education Reviews 

I had a very poor experience with them in Newcastle. I spent time and money obtaining a criminal record certificate from Italy, completing courses and attending training, expecting to start work in September. I even lost another job opportunity, and my referees spent time providing references. In the end, I was only offered two hours of work. I complained to the manager, but none of my expenses was reimbursed. Emily's handling of my process was completely unprofessional, creating expectations about a job they could not offer. This was a very disappointing experience and, in my view, a matter that should be reported to the appropriate authority.

I had high hopes of working in education as a Teaching Assistant with Vision for Education, but my overall experience was quite disappointing. Seeing some of the very good reviews and insights on this company, I still believe it's a top agency for education, but I do believe that a lot depends on which specific agent/s you happen to be working with.

Education was a field I was really looking forward to working in, so I felt genuinely let down for the reasons below—and regrettably, my enthusiasm for getting into the education sector has faded a bit because of my experience here.

On the positive side, though not very real and I didn't appreciate much their approach at time, the staff were always polite and courteous. However, the registration process fell through because of an inflexible reference policy. My current company (where I do casual interpreting work) has a strict policy against providing formal references for contractors with under 400 hours, even though they readily confirmed I worked there. Despite the other references I provided, Vision for Education refused to complete my registration with no alternatives to it.

Additionally, there were communication issues and delays regarding my DBS check that only came to light when I actively chased them up. The person was not even apologetic about it. While I understand agencies have strict compliance rules, I am frustrated that they couldn't find a reasonable alternative or exercise more flexibility, specially after I prepared so much with extra courses and ready to make an impact because I do believe I will enjoy working with children and in education.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a good experience for me with Vision for Education but there are other agencies. Though, since this was my first prospect in education, I had great expectations, and while I know there are other agencies out there, it was a tough and frustrating introduction to the field.

Vision for education is a brilliant agency to work for. I have just come back from 4 months being away and was looking for some work again. Gemma was brilliant in helping me get back into it, and found me some work ASAP. I always feel very reassured and confident that if i need anything, Gemma will go to the absolute limit to help me out.

I have been working as teaching assistant long term supply with Vision for Education since 2024. I have not needed to interact with my consultants Gemma and Will very often but when I have they have always been contactable and responsive. I have consistently worked at one site since I started. I am paid weekly, one week in lieu which works for me.

Very useful and they are a very good team of members who will answer all your queries and questions and direct you in the right direction.

In around 2022/3 I was interested in becoming a teaching assistant and applied for a "job" online which was described as "Level 1 TA in Kendal - fill out this quick form and apply for more details"
Pros: Somebody from Preston contacts me that day to give me some insight, swiftly sets me up on an online platform and orders me a DBS check which all of this was great!
Cons: Things started to go wrong when I wanted clarity over which school the job was in - I was original told "I can't go into too much detail now for confidentiality of students purposes with it being a SEND school" To be fair , I was contacted around a week or two later to be given the names of the schools ....which was a revelation to me as all I wanted to do was apply to a long term job position not sign up to an agency. I appreciate this was probably my fault for not knowing what I was getting myself in for but I felt as though I was lead on a merry dance.
During this conversation, I'm told that the two options are Sandgate school in Kendal or Underley Garden in Kirkby Lonsdale. I'm spun a tale on the phone that vision for Education have spoken to Sandgate and that "they are all ready to work with you , they have some children in mind who you'd be supporting but they are currently in hospital" I then felt I was been steered towards working in Kirkby Lonsdale when I didn't even at the time have my own transport.
The minute I started to express real problems with getting to Kirkby Lonsdale and v.f.e realised I couldn't commit to this particular school at this moment, all personalised contact was stopped in an instant. I was dropped like a hat just like that . I still continued to receive the odd generic email which goes out to all applicants but it just goes to show , there was no true intent to meet my best interests - I wondered if there would have been a commission prize involved if I went to work in Kirkby Lonsdale but I don't know.
The best part was when in the near future, Sandgate school posted on their website for a TA position and I applied with their online application. I received a phone call from a very confused admin lady/teacher who said "Hiya , thank you for applying! I will process your application but please can you delete the part in your cover letter where you discuss coming to us via an agency, we never use agencies, any jobs we advertise only come directly from us!" I then realised I'd been completely lied to by the recruiting team, Sandgate school knew nothing about me yet it had been claimed they were preparing for me coming! I very nearly quit my stable job for this...don't do it!

Done the online training and paid for an enhanced dbs so I can become a teaching assistant. After my dbs arrived and uploaded I was told I should be clear and ready to work asap. I now haven’t heard from them in weeks so I’ve had to apply for other jobs.

I have to say I never expected to write a review like this but I have no choice. I was signed with the Newcastle branch and had a really lovely recruitment consultant. I was given work regularly and supported. All of a sudden, they gave me zero work for months and zero communication only to learn that the reason I wasn't being given work was so the recruitment consultant could earn more commission on other people, leaving others behind. I spent months struggling financially, struggling to find work and not receiving any support whatsoever by this company. I am really disappointed with this experience.

Megan and Gary at the Manchester branch have been brilliant from start to finish! They were happy, friendly and approachable and were able to accommodate my need for a flexible schedule. They also found placements that suited my skills and experience.
I was called everyday at first and then every week to see how I was getting on or to see if I was still happy where I was placed. I have got a permeant job in a school through their support.
I would definitely use this agency again if I changed job and I have recommended them to others T.A's .

As an experienced professional tutor, I have been registered with this firm since October last year. Firstly, no jobs have arisen and secondly I haven’t received any calls unless I phone them directly to speak to the recruiter that is in charge of my centre. I’m just not happy at all. On a positive note, the recruiter is very nice.

At first, I believed this was a good agency, as they provided me with regular part-time work on a weekly basis during my first year. Unfortunately, midway through my second year, they stopped offering me work without explanation. I believe this may have been because I refused to return to a particular school where I experienced racism and threats from students. Rather than supporting me, the agency removed me from their list. Totaly unprofessional and with no loyalty what so ever.

This year, the Sheffield branch manager contacted me about potential work but needed to update my details as she could not find my profile. Anyway, I was promised work as soon as schools open, but received only two calls within 4 months: one for a same-day shift, which I was unable to accept, and another for a two-day placement at a rate of £130 per day. This was significantly lower than my usual rate of £200 per day.

I countered with £150 per day, which I believe is already the minimum reasonable rate for a qualified QTS/PGCE teacher as i have over four years of experience. I have not heard from them since. They just ghosted me again.

Nia was most helpful throughout the whole process of securing a teaching assistant position. I found her extremely encouraging and professional .

I quickly adhered to completing all of this agents registry requests only to find out they do not offer the job that you applied for.
They give the impression you have the job in place tell you to registry and pay for your own DBS (£86 inc year long service), then don't give you a start time or date.
If you are looking for work in education / schools and need to start promptly, then don't waste your time and money here. You have been warned.

I was interviewed by a consultant at Vision for Education in Newcastle upon Tyne who had already taught in a school for many years so she knew exactly where my teaching experience would fit in and the roles I would be more suited to. As a primary school teacher with recent experience in SEN teaching, I couldn't fault the consultant's level of expertise and professionalism in the teaching profession.

I contacted them in November regarding a teaching job they had advertised. Was told I needed to register with them first so went through the whole process, including updating my safeguarding training, video interview etc. and was approved for work. Sent several follow up emails without a response and was never contacted about any other opportunities. Reached out again in March and was contacted by the branch manager. I explained the situation and was asked to arrange a call. Did so, she said she would have no problem finding me work, wasn’t sure why I hadn’t been contacted and said she would call back within the hour. I never heard anything back once again, and it has now been over a month. I’ve sent two follow up emails since and have again had no response. Extremely unprofessional and unreliable. I would not recommend them to anyone.

Fantastic Support from Start to Finish!

I had an excellent experience with Vision for Education. From the very start, the team was incredibly supportive, professional, and dedicated to helping me find the right role. Joe and Alex went above and beyond to ensure I was matched with a school that suited me, and thanks to their help, I’m now settled in an amazing school and on the right path to pursuing my teaching career.
Their communication was great throughout, and they genuinely care about the people they work with. I highly recommend Vision for Education to anyone looking for opportunities in education!

I've worked with Vision since January 2023 and I must say they've been the only teaching agency I've worked with, who pays fairly and treats you like an equal. Working with the Kent branch, Nolawi is a superb Manager, Alice and Zion, and recently Nicola has been nothing short of helpful and amazing. I'd definitely recommend them. So long guy. It's been an absolute pleasure working with you. Thanks for everything!

Ignorant
Had no feedback from them and only got out forward for one school :(
Useless

What a waste of time the Liverpool branch are.
I've registered twice with them and had a grand total of 4 days work with them in over 3 years. Plenty of roles out there but they simply don't get in touch and the one role they did find this academic year was only £130 per day (with my other agencies I get £180+).
So many other agencies out there, avoid wasting your time registering with these guys (they advertise a lot to coax you in, believe me, these jobs do not exist!)

It was an awfull experience started off really positive promising you many schools and communicative . Then when your employed they don’t get in contact with you and don’t give you any work I have up my old job for this one and have now went back to it as it was such an awful experience and disappointing consultants in fact awful consultants. If you want money every week and consistently with communication this is definitely not the job for you . Utterly disgraceful from vision for education in Bristol do better .