The driving force behind Supported Recruitment is Co-Director, Richard Robinson, a qualified primary school teacher and well-known face across the city’s education scene.
Richard started his teaching career in York over 15 years ago and it is through his own progression from teacher, to leader, mentor and coach that the idea for Supported came about.
“As a leader and a teacher, I have worked with many supply teachers over the years and recognise that it can be a very difficult task to go into a new school and teach effectively, often at short notice.
I believe strongly that, in order to succeed, supply teachers need continuous professional support and access to quality resources. I have completed a few spells of supply work in different schools, so I have valuable insight into how supply teaching works, from the perspective of the teacher and the school leader.
Many agencies do a great job finding their teachers work and assigning them to a short-term job; however at Supported, we have a fresh approach. We invest in our teachers, prepare them, coach and mentor them and provide shared resources and toolkits so they can feel confident walking into a classroom regardless of how long their contract is.
We form strong, working relationships with schools to help us gain a deep understanding of their recruitment needs.”
James is our Co-Director at Supported Recruitment; offering practical advice, support and feedback for all supply placements. He is an experienced recruiter and manager with a proven track record in building successful, long-term relationships with clients and candidates.
“Being a parent myself I know what a truly amazing job teachers do and what important role models they are. It’s so important that they are given the recognition and support they deserve and this is the ethos behind the support packages we provide. We want to give teachers every possible chance and opportunity to thrive within this wonderful profession.”
Ross Divorty
Ross is our recruitment team manager, predominantly working with teaching assistants and nursery practitioners. Having gained a wealth of Primary teaching experience Ross is able to support and mentor those who are new to working in education. Ross has been working with SupportED for over three years now and has built up great relationships with schools and Nurseries in the local area.
Key skills
Tom has been a dedicated Recruitment Consultant at SupportED Recruitment for over a year now, bringing a strong foundation in sport and education to his role. Having previously worked as a Teaching Assistant through SupportED, Tom understands first-hand the challenges and rewards of supporting pupils and teachers in the classroom. This experience allows him to connect authentically with both schools and candidates, ensuring he places the right people in the right environments.
With over four years of experience as a Football Coach and within the York community, Tom has developed exceptional skills in communication, teamwork, and motivation — qualities that translate seamlessly into his recruitment approach. He takes pride in building lasting relationships, understanding individual strengths, and matching passionate educators to roles where they can make the biggest impact.
Tom’s background gives him a unique insight into the needs of schools and the attributes that make a candidate truly effective. He is committed to providing a supportive, honest, and efficient service to both clients and candidates, helping to strengthen education teams and improve outcomes for young people.
Charlotte brings a wealth of first-hand educational experience to the team, having spent almost ten years as a dedicated teacher working across all of KS2. She has also worked as a teacher through SupportED, and understands the challenges and rewards of supply work. Aside from her experience in the classroom, Charlotte has also had roles within the arts and technology industries, working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders and developing crucial skills in communication and the ability to build positive, lasting relationships.
This varied experience—combining classroom expertise with high-level client management—ensures a thoughtful and tailored approach to recruitment. Charlotte is committed to using this blend of skills to provide an informed, honest and effective service to our teachers and schools.
As our newest Recruitment Officer, Beth is passionate about helping people find new opportunities where they can grow and succeed. In her previous roles she has experience building relationships and rapport, with previous experience in recruitment, alongside roles as a nanny and teaching assistant, Beth has built strong communication skills and has a genuine people first approach whilst also gaining childcare experience. She is very committed to delivering a positive and successful experience for our teachers and schools.
You can contact Beth at bethany@supportedrecruitment.
Gemma is a qualified primary teacher and nursery nurse. She has 18 years experience of working with children and has worked at a number of nurseries and schools in York.
Gemma works alongside Richard and is passionate about supporting teachers placed in Early Years and Key Stage One.