Welcome to Smart Education HQ!

Here you will find everything you need to know about the team and who will be looking after you!

Francesca Sandiford
Director & SEND

Francesca has over 11 years’ experience providing SEN Settings with experienced and suitability qualified staff. Francesca has extensive knowledge of SEN and provides a service that is second to none across the West Midlands. Francesca is also responsible for organising a full training programme for employees.

Key Skills:
Interview Preparation, SEN, Customer Service, NQT Year Finder, Supply, Permanent Vacancies, FE Settings, Safeguarding Contact, Training

Fiona Moss
Director & SEND Home Tuition

Fiona has over 10 years’ experience in education recruitment. Fiona heads up the SEND Home Tuition provision across the West Midlands and offers an unrivalled level of service and commitment to both Clients and Candidates. Fiona provides an honest, consistent and competent approach to every client and candidate, no request is too big or small!

Key Skills:
Key Skills- Secondary, Customer service, NQT Year finder, 1 Year contracts, Permanent Vacancies, Temporary Supply Opportunities, Social Media, Safeguarding contact

Chris Ward
Team Manager and Secondary Consultant

Meet Chris, our dedicated Schools Team Manager, with over 20 years of experience in education recruitment and leadership. Approachable and genuinely supportive, Chris is passionate about building lasting partnerships with schools and educators. His expertise spans from supporting Early Career Teachers (ECTs) to placing experienced leaders, including Headteachers, ensuring the right fit for both candidates and clients.

With a deep understanding of school culture and staffing needs, Chris takes the time to get to know each individual and organisation he works with. Whether you need advice, guidance, or a trusted recruitment partner, Chris is always happy to take your call.

Key Skills:
Secondary, ECT’s, SLT, Temp, Perm

Pippa Lee
SEN Consultant

Pippa is part of our SEN team providing bespoke staff to SEN Schools across the West Midlands. Philippa is a great listener and prides herself on excellent customer service. With a strong sales and customer service background, Philippa is a pleasure to work with always strives for the best for her clients and candidates.

If you have requirements for specialist SEN support Philippa will be able to help you.

Key Skills:
SEN, Customer Service, Sector knowledge, Supply, Day-to-day Cover, Permanent Vacancies

Natalie Shakespeare
SEN Consultant

Meet Natalie, our dedicated SEN Consultant covering the Black Country.

With over 6 years of experience in recruitment and an in depth knowledge of the local area, Natalie brings both expertise and insight to every placement. She’s known for her determination, drive, and exceptional ability to build strong, lasting relationships with schools and candidates.

Key Skills:
SEN, ECT’s, SLT, Temp, Perm

Michelle Bowden
North East Recruitment Consultant

Meet Michelle, our experienced SEND specialist covering the North East. With over 7 years in education recruitment, Michelle has built an exceptional reputation for her deep understanding of SEND and her extensive network of relationships with schools and local authorities.

There’s truly little she doesn’t know about the sector. Passionate about making a real difference, Michelle is driven by the belief that every child deserves the right support—and she works tirelessly to find the right people to provide it.

Key Skills:
SEN, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, Temp, Perm

Alex Beddow
Senior Resourcer – Home Tuition Division

Alex is an experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistant with hands on experience to help candidates and clients find their perfect match. Alex supports our Home Tuition team and sources and places tutors to support Young People currently facing barriers to learning and those with SEN. Alex is patient and understanding, If you are looking for a conversation with someone approachable and empathetic who will understand your needs as a candidate, call Alex today and chat further, she is ready to support your journey with Smart education.

Key Skills:
Home Tuition, TA’s , EYFS, Tutors. SEN, Teachers

Deborah Mclean
Compliance & Payroll

Deborah provides invaluable support to the SMART team managing all aspects of payroll from start to finish! An organised member of our team with vast experience. A very approachable member of the team who is happy to answer any calls/queries you have.

Key Skills:
Safeguarding, Administration, Customer Service, References, CPD, Social Media, AWR

Sarah Piercy
SEN Home Tuition Account Manager

Sarah joins SMART bringing a wealth of education experience after a successful career as a Primary School Teacher for 14 years.

An experienced education professional looking to support you transition into a home tutoring role.

A competent and understanding account manager who is recruiting for education professionals to deliver full and part time home tuition packages to Students aged 3-25 with Educational Healthcare Plans.

Key Skills:
Primary, Home Tuition, SEN, Safeguarding, Customer Service, Sector knowledge & experience, Specialist Home Tuition Packages

Joanne Prince
SEN Home Tuition Account Manager

Jo joins SMART bringing a wealth of education experience after a successful career as a Pastoral & Learning Mentor.

An experienced education professional looking to support you in sourcing your next role. Jo oversees the candidate journey from the initial call through to compliance.

A competent and understanding consultant, if you’re looking for a new job opportunity in education please contact Jo for an informal chat today!

Key Skills:
Primary, Pastoral, SEN, Safeguarding, Customer Service, Sector knowledge & experience, NQT Year Finder, Supply, Day-to-day Cover, Permanent Vacancies

Sarah Satchwell
Senior Resourcer- Schools Division

Sarah is an experienced resourcer who has over 9 years experience supporting education staff find their perfect roles. Sarah is currently the resourcer for our schools division and is eager to hear from any school based staff looking for new opportunities including Teachers, Teaching Assistants, school administrators.

If you’re looking for a new job opportunity in Eduction contact Sarah for an informal chat today!

Key Skills:
SEN, EYFS, Primary Education, Secondary Education, MLD, Autism, PMLD, SLD

Nico Sidhu
Recruitment Resourcer – Home Tuition

Nico joins us with experience in both education recruitment and in an education setting also creating the perfect combination to support our candidates through their journey with Smart education.

Nico supports our Home Tuition team and is keen to chat with you if you are looking for a new role/challenge supporting Young people who are facing barriers to learning. Our Home tutors work with young people who are unable to attend an education setting for various reasons and we are looking to speak to SEN tutors/teachers who would like to make a difference.

If you are looking for a new job opportunity supporting young people with SEN, Nico is awaiting your call!

Key Skills:
SEN, Home Tuition, Primary Education, Secondary Education, SEMH, SEBD, SLD, ASD

Amelia Lloyd
Recruitment Resourcer – Home Tuition

Amelia joins us with a strong recruitment background and is ready to support our candidates through their journey with Smart education. An approachable and supportive member of the team who looks forward to your call.

Amelia supports our Home Tuition team and is keen to chat with you if you are looking for a new role/challenge supporting Young people who are facing barriers to learning. Our Home tutors work with young people who are unable to attend an education setting for various reasons and we are looking to speak to SEN tutors/teachers who would like to make a difference.

If you are looking for a new job opportunity supporting young people with SEN, Amelia is awaiting your call!

Key Skills:
SEN, Home Tuition, Primary Education, Secondary Education, SEMH, SEBD, SLD, ASD

Faisa Abdi
Senior Compliance Officer

Faisa looks after all of our day-to-day compliance and safeguarding at Smart Education ensuring that all candidates are cleared to working in line with our APSCO Compliance Plus accreditation. Faisa is also responsible for many of our back office support to the wider team including DBS checks, Policies and Legislation changes.

Faisa is a very welcoming and approachable member of the team and has a lovely rapport with clients and candidates, if you have any compliance or safeguarding queries please feel free to contact Faisa.

Key Skills:
Safeguarding, Compliance, Customer Service, APSCO Compliance Plus, DBS, Policies and Legislation

Hema Kular
Compliance Officer

Hema is supporting the tea with all day-to-day compliance and safeguarding at Smart Education ensuring that all candidates are cleared to working in line with our APSCO Compliance Plus accreditation. Hema is also responsible for many of our back office support procedures to the wider team including DBS checks, managing candidate training and annual renewals of documents in line with compliance requirements.

Hema is available to assist candidates with DBS/Payroll/Training queries candidates may have, please feel free to contact Hema if you have any questions.

Key Skills:
Compliance, Customer Service, APSCO Compliance Plus, Training, Payroll.

Tess Cheslin
Administrator

Experienced, committed and approachable to name a few! Tess works closely with the Home Tuition and Payroll teams providing invaluable support.

Tess joins us with a wealth of experience, strong work ethic and will happily take your call with any questions or queries you may have. A fantastic support and key member of our backstage team.

Key Skills:
Administration, Payroll, Business Support, Customer Service

Work for us!!
Recruitment Consultant

Smart Education has a vibrant team with a range of experiences and backgrounds.

We have a range of opportunities in our rapidly expanding Birmingham Branch. We are currently recruiting for trainee and experienced consultants to join our wonderful team.

Key Skills:
Primary, Nursery, Customer Service, NQT Year Finder, Supply, Day-to-day Cover, Permanent Vacancies

To speak to a member of the team today call 0121 392 7114