Fair Teachers

A lot of this week has been spent on the road, meeting new people and building relationships — including welcoming five new team members to the Fair Teachers network and starting to support two new partner schools.

It’s been a busy end to the term behind the scenes too — sorting timesheets, checking details, and making sure everything was in place before the Easter break.

One thing that always strikes me at this time of year is how the end of term never quite looks the same in every school.

Some of our partner schools finished last Friday.
Others were still there right up to yesterday afternoon — the day before Good Friday — getting everything ready for their pupils and staff.

That quiet dedication never goes unnoticed.

So wherever you reached the finish line this week,
Happy Easter to everyone, and wishing you all a very well-deserved rest. 🐣

A little Friday reflection from Fair Teachers this week…

This week has been one of those where the team has had to say “no” more than they would have liked.

Schools have needed help — a full-time teacher, TA support, sometimes even just for a day — and the instinct is always to try and find a way.

But sometimes, there simply isn’t anyone available.

That’s one of the harder parts of running a small, local supply team.

Because from the outside, it can look straightforward —
a school needs someone, and someone is sent.

But in reality, supply is about working with real people, real availability, and real limits.
And sometimes the right thing to do is to be honest and say,
“We’re really sorry — we can’t help this time.”

It’s always tempting to try and stretch things or make something work.
But sending someone who isn’t the right fit, or who is already stretched too thin, doesn’t serve anyone well — not the school, not the children, and not the staff member.

It might not fix the immediate problem,
but it protects the relationships — and that matters in the long run.

There really is a lot more to supply than simply “cover”.

A little glimpse into what supply can look like…

Something I’m often reminded of, working across our partner schools, is just how much trust is involved in supply.

Schools are opening their doors to someone new, often at very short notice — and that person is expected to quickly find their feet, build relationships and support the children.

When it works well (and it very often does), it’s something really special.

I saw a lovely example of this today 💛

A headteacher got in touch after a member of the Fair Teachers network had been in school for the first time. What started as a simple idea for the morning grew into something much bigger — combining Spring themes with a local artist, creating artwork that will now be displayed both in school and at The Forge.

She said:
“It was written in the stars! She is amazing.”

At the end of the day, I also heard from the team member herself:
“Lovely day, canny little school. Thanks for asking me.”

These are the kinds of days that remind me how supply, when it’s done well, can feel really positive for everyone involved — the school, the children and the person stepping in.

And that’s exactly what Fair Teachers is all about.

Recently I’ve found myself pausing and thinking about how much Fair Teachers has grown across Northumberland, County Durham and Cumbria.

Some weeks the volume of bookings genuinely surprises me.

Not because of the numbers — but because each one represents a real classroom. Real children. A real team trusting us to get it right.

And in small rural schools especially, that trust matters.

Growth is exciting. Of course it is.

But it also makes you ask quietly… can the business hold it?

I’ve never wanted Fair Teachers to feel big or corporate. When a school rings, I still want to understand the context. The team. What March feels like in that school — tired staff, lighter mornings, SATs on the horizon, everything starting to ramp up.

That’s the whole point.

So instead of chasing “more”, I’m focusing on building properly behind the scenes.

Stronger systems.
Clearer processes.
Support that protects the relationships — not replaces them.

Growth is a privilege.

But growing in a way that still feels human matters more.

Flexible working in education – I’m noticing a real shift.

There was a time when teaching felt very “all in”.
Full timetable. Full responsibility. No real flexibility.

Lately, more conversations seem to centre around sustainability.

Experienced teachers reflecting on what long-term balance looks like.
How to stay in education without feeling they have to choose between commitment and longevity.

Three days instead of five.
Stepping back from additional responsibilities.
Focusing on teaching well.

It’s not about caring less.
If anything, it’s about wanting to keep caring for longer.

Yesterday at our Fair Teachers coffee meet-up, this came up naturally. Not as a complaint. Just thoughtful professionals talking honestly about how to keep doing a job they care deeply about in a way that works for real life too.

That felt important.

Education is evolving quietly.
Recognising sustainability as part of the profession’s future can only be a positive step.

The recent conversations around SEND funding have made me pause and think — not as a business owner, but as a parent, a teacher, and someone who has spent years alongside children who just need the world to meet them a little differently.

When you’ve had a child go through the SEND system, you never quite forget the feeling.
The waiting.
The hope.
The frustration.
The relief when someone finally listens.
The quiet exhaustion when they don’t.

And in schools, I see the other side of it — staff trying to hold things together with patience, creativity and compassion, often while carrying far more responsibility than their job description ever admitted. I still see it every day.

The numbers being discussed in the news — billions here, deficits there — feel so far removed from the reality most families and staff are living. Behind every statistic is a child who just wants to feel understood, a parent doing their best, and a classroom juggling more than anyone realises.

I don’t think anyone expects the system to change overnight.
But I do hope that whatever reforms eventually come, they’re grounded in the lived experiences of the people who navigate this system daily. The parents who keep advocating. The teachers and TAs who show up with heart. The children who deserve stability, dignity and a chance to thrive.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all the different positions I’ve stood in, it’s this:

SEND support works best when it’s built on humanity and consistency — not shortcuts, not quick fixes, and definitely not silence.

Whatever happens next, I hope we don’t lose sight of the children at the centre of all this, or the people who quietly carry them through the cracks while the system catches up.

Out on the Cumbrian border this morning.

Dropped into a few of our partner schools and had some good chats along the way. Lovely to meet some familiar faces and a few new ones😀

Half-term’s nearly here, so if you’re a teacher or TA thinking about a change or wanting a bit of flexible work locally after the break, just give me a shout.

Always nice to keep things local and fair.

☎️ 07821 848630
📧 [email protected]

A beautiful day visiting schools up around Alnwick and the coast 🌤️

Every drive reminds me just how lucky we are to work across this part of Northumberland — from coastal villages to market towns, every school has its own heartbeat.

Fair Teachers are proud to cover all of Northumberland — if your school needs cover, or if you’re a teacher or TA looking for flexible local work, we’re right here.

Continuity really matters in small schools.

One of the schools we work with asked if a particular member of our team was free this half-term. She isn’t — and they’ve chosen to wait rather than take someone new. That says everything about how important trust and familiarity are in small, rural settings.

It’s not just about filling a timetable. It’s about children seeing a familiar face and staff knowing they can rely on someone who already feels part of the team.

That’s why Fair Teachers is personal. We know every member of our team, so schools know who they’re welcoming through the door.

Experienced Teachers & Teaching Assistants – Northumberland.

Fair Teachers are building a small local pool of experienced staff to support our rural schools in and around Northumberland.

We’re looking for:
• Qualified Teachers who can step into classrooms with confidence
• Teaching Assistants with recent experience in schools or nurseries

Our schools often need cover at short notice, so we’re especially keen to hear from people living nearby who can offer flexibility.

✅ Local placements in small, community-focused schools
✅ Fair pay and personal support from an independent agency
✅ You’ll never be just a name on a list — we know every person we place

📩 Message me here or email Maria .co.uk if you’d like to join our trusted team.

Alternatively,
☎️ 07821 848630

Support your local rural schools.

We’re looking for teachers, teaching assistants, and people with childcare or youth experience who live in Bellingham, Otterburn, Kielder, Wark and the surrounding villages to join our supply list.

This is occasional cover work — flexible, fairly paid, and perfect if you’d like to support local children without the long commute.

We’ll handle all the checks and training — you just bring your experience and enthusiasm.

📧 [email protected]
☎️ 07821 848630

👉 If you know someone nearby who’d be a great fit, please share this post with them. Let’s keep our rural schools thriving together.

Welcome back to all pupils and staff starting the new term today.

At Fair Teachers, every teacher and TA we send into schools is someone I’ve met, supported, and taken the time to know. That personal touch is what sets us apart from the big agencies.

If your school needs cover — whether it’s last-minute, short-term, or longer-term — just give me a call or drop me an email:
📞 07821 848630
✉️ [email protected]

Here’s to a smooth start to the year ahead.