Highgrade Recruitment
Education Recruitment Specialists Supporting Schools Across the UK
Highgrade Recruitment is a leading education recruitment agency dedicated to connecting talented education professionals with rewarding opportunities in schools across the UK. As experienced education recruitment specialists, we support schools, academies, colleges and educational settings with high-quality staffing solutions while helping candidates find fulfilling education jobs and teaching careers.
Founded on a deep understanding of the education sector, we recognise the challenges schools face when recruiting reliable, skilled staff. We also understand the importance of ensuring teachers, teaching assistants, SEN professionals, cover supervisors, exam invigilators and support staff are valued for the vital role they play in shaping positive learning environments.
Our mission is to provide a professional, transparent and people-focused recruitment service that delivers real value to both schools and candidates. Whether you’re looking for temporary, long-term or permanent education jobs, or seeking trusted school staffing solutions, our experienced team is committed to helping you achieve your goals.
At Highgrade Recruitment, we pride ourselves on building lasting relationships, understanding the unique needs of every school and candidate, and delivering recruitment solutions that support success across the education sector.
Why Choose Highgrade Recruitment?
- Specialist education recruitment agency
- Opportunities across primary, secondary and SEN settings
- Temporary, long-term and permanent education jobs
- Dedicated support for schools and candidates
- Fast, reliable school staffing solutions
- A people-first approach built on trust and expertise
Whether you’re a school looking for exceptional staff or an education professional searching for your next opportunity, Highgrade Recruitment is here to help you succeed.
Meet Claire James, Founder & Director
Claire James has been a specialist in education recruitment for over 25 years, building a reputation for delivering exceptional staffing solutions and creating lasting partnerships with schools and education professionals.
Originally pursuing a career in teaching, Claire was on track to complete her PGCE when she was headhunted into the recruitment industry in 1999. It quickly became clear that education recruitment combined her passion for education with her natural talent for building relationships and helping people achieve their goals.
Over the following years, Claire developed extensive expertise within the education recruitment sector, managing successful teams for several national recruitment agencies across the UK. Through these experiences, she gained invaluable insight into the challenges schools face when recruiting high-quality staff and the importance of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities.
In 2011, Claire founded Highgrade Recruitment with a vision to provide a more personal, honest and relationship-driven approach to education recruitment. As one of the first specialist school recruitment agencies in the South Wales Valleys, Highgrade Recruitment brought a fresh approach to the region, combining national-level expertise with genuine local knowledge and support.
Claire’s passion lies in helping schools build strong teams and supporting education professionals throughout their careers. She takes great pride in seeing candidates develop, progress and thrive within the education sector, knowing that every successful placement has a positive impact on both schools and students.
Having worked with schools and education professionals throughout the UK, Claire has developed a deep understanding of the diverse challenges and opportunities within the education system. Her commitment to honesty, integrity and exceptional service continues to shape the values of Highgrade Recruitment today.
Under Claire’s leadership, Highgrade Recruitment has built its reputation on trust, professionalism and a genuinely personal approach—helping schools secure outstanding talent while supporting candidates in finding rewarding education careers.
