It’s easy for us to say we’re different. But why take our word for it when you can hear directly from our schools and teachers instead…
Hear from one of our schools
Hear from one of our teachers
Hear from one of our teachers
School testimonials
Working with Red Lester has been a very positive experience because Ali has gone above and beyond both in terms of understanding our school’s specific context, in selecting and recommending consistently high-quality agency teachers for our school, and in supporting staff once placed in our school.
For these reasons the majority of our agency teachers have been recruited from Red Lester in the past few years. In addition we have found that, due to the attention to detail in place to ensure a good fit for both school and teacher, staff from Red Lester tend to remain in post for longer than average, often for a full academic year and, on a few occasions, for several years.
Ali has visited our school and other local schools on several occasions to improve her understanding of our unique context and needs, to develop further our working relationships with Red Lester, and to check in with teachers from the agency working in our schools. All three factors have enhanced the service we, and our Red Lester teachers, receive from the agency. By only recommending and placing teachers in schools in which they are likely to fit in well, they tend to be happy and stay in longer-term placements, thereby providing much-needed continuity for the school and, most importantly, our students.
Alison and her team are great to work with. They are super responsive and have always found us great candidates for the roles we need. What I like is that Alison is not pushy. She will share CVs but also respects my decisions as a head when deciding whether a candidate suits our school.
This year has been challenging for the recruitment of teachers. Alison and the team have helped us fill critical vacancies and ensure the smooth running of our school. The quality of the teachers is always very high, which is shown by the fact that one teacher has been with us for almost two years.
The pre-employment checks and information we receive are exactly what is needed to satisfy safeguarding and pre-employment checks and help to guarantee the candidates are of a high standard and are suitable adults. Alison has visited Guernsey and our school and makes time to understand our individual needs rather than applying a blanket approach to recruiting.
We have not worked with recruitment agencies in the past but the current staffing crisis across teaching in all Key Stages has had a significant impact in all schools. We have found Red Lester to be excellent communicators who look to find a solution to our staffing problems as swiftly as possible. As a result, they have been a pleasure to work with and have remained professional and courteous throughout.
We have used them to help us fulfil recruitment to short term and permanent contracts. Their knowledge of the Channel Islands and communication with the onboarding team in Jersey has been beneficial to help make the transition to an island life more smooth for the staff recruited.
I hope we continue to work together in the future… thank you for going above and beyond to support us in ensuring we have good teachers in front of our students.
Teacher testimonials
Thank you for always being incredibly supportive and helpful. I just wanted to say my biggest appreciation to you! It if wasn’t for your wonderful opportunity in January I’d never have thought about teaching on Guernsey. And now I can’t imagine my little chapter any other way. It’s worked out so wonderfully and I’m incredibly grateful.
All of a sudden things started to make sense again. It was so great working for Red Lester and everything in my employment has been on such a professional level with everyone in your office being so kind and helpful. Thank you for everything… I’ll continue to recommend you to my teacher friends. Keep doing what you’re doing because Red Lester does it so well.
You have been fantastic to work for, always supportive, helpful and good-humoured…thanks again.
I just wanted to say a great big thank you for approaching me from our very first phone call about teaching in Guernsey. It never would have crossed my mind if not, and I feel like my life would have been so different.
Lots of lovely things have fallen into place, even in my personal life too! I have loved how supportive you lot all are at Red Lester and you do a super job so thank you!
I’ve never been as well looked-after as I have been by Red Lester. They don’t use umbrella companies, which is refreshing in this day and age! … But most importantly, the staff are fantastic. Since the moment I spoke to Ali about a role working in Guernsey, I was struck by how well she knew the school I was applying for, and how quickly she had gotten to know me just from looking at my CV. I was guided expertly through the application process, which despite my lengthy employment history across several countries, proved to be surprisingly easy. Ali, Jeanette and Ellie have all been quick to respond and a delight to speak with in any situation I have encountered, which to their immense credit has not been nearly as much as I expected when moving to a small island as they run such a well-oiled machine supporting both teachers and the schools that everything is already thought of. I especially enjoy meeting with Ali on her visits to my school, which is something I have never encountered working with any agency. Red Lester goes above and beyond, and I would recommend them to any teacher looking for work.
Red Lester has helped me to excel as a teacher beyond what I believed possible. Returning to the profession after a career break from teaching was daunting. But Ali and her team found me a school where I fit in like a hand in a glove, so much so that I even earned a promotion I hadn’t even considered going for! Red Lester has helped me fall back in love with my profession and reignited my passion for education. Thank you.
Red Lester has been fantastic to work for, so much so I have recommended to colleagues. They have been helpful and attentive throughout all processes and extremely supportive when transitioning into the different roles I have been lucky enough to have been offered. They have kept regular contact and taken a real and tangible interest in how I have settled into my different roles and life in the Channel Islands. This has made the transition from UK to Jersey and Guernsey an exceptionally smooth process.
I have been impressed with how the agency has always matched roles to my skills and experience. This has allowed me to meet the demands of the roles I have undertaken with confidence and ease. 5 years ago I was on the verge of retirement. However opportunities with Red Lester have opened doors and renewed my enthusiasm and commitment to make a difference for young people and their families.
The team are very knowledgeable and able to answer any questions and support professionals within the education sector in the UK and Channel Islands.
A big thank you to Alison and the team. I look forward to a long and rewarding relationship, working with them in the future.
Working for this agency for the last eighteen months has given me confidence to approach queries and changes, usually with a positive outcome, knowing they will be dealt with quickly… I have worked for several, not always with the positive and supportive communications that I can expect from Red Lester.
Alison and Jeanette are available to help to resolve any problems encountered (not that there have been any for me). As I am coming to the end of a current position in July, I have been assured they are already looking for a suitable ongoing position which shows forward thinking and planning.
The team have been knowledgeable about the island’s education system and information sent prior to arriving also gave a comprehensive overview of life in Guernsey. This all helped a newcomer to settle well confident that any support needed was available.
Thanks again for your encouragement for giving Channel Islands a ‘go’. I would never have thought about it until we spoke Ali, so thank you very much. I’m feeling very grateful,
I haven’t worked for many recruitment agencies before Red Lester, but I can say that Red Lester are definitely the best out of the ones I have used. There is definitely a more personal touch with Red Lester and I feel that my needs are being addressed as well as the needs of the schools that they recruit for. All my placements have been perfectly matched to my skills and experience as well as my own requirements. I have been with Red Lester for over 3 years now, and there is a reason I keep returning! Whenever I need some work they are always at hand to find me something suitable that works for me.
Red Lester understands the current climate in teaching and is aware of what teachers are looking for and what they need, whilst still ensuring that the schools that they work with get the very best teachers in the right positions and schools. They are always at hand to listen to any issues or concerns that you might have and will happily address these on your behalf, and usually get them sorted promptly!
It has been a pleasure working with you… I wish you every success for the future. You run an outstanding agency!
I have been really happy with your agency and how you organised, re- locating, temporary cover teachers like me.
I have been really happy with your agency and how you organised, re-locating, temporary cover teachers like me.
Red Lester you sure care and appreciate your staff. God bless you all. Every little gesture of yours is so appreciated by me. I am glad I work for you Alison and team… I remember the time when I said no and you said give it a try and I agreed. Thank you for the encouragement, I’ve had such a wonderful time.
