About us
Clarus Education has been born out of the need for an improved recruitment service within education. With the evolution of technology and the advancement of social media, finding the right job has become easier and harder at the same time.
With Clarus Education, finding your ideal job, whether as a school administrator, class teacher, senior leader, or supply teacher will be effortless in comparison to the hours spent sifting through a mountain of application forms!
Our team works on Permanent, Long-Term, and Supply positions.
Values
Our approach to work and how we operate is demonstrated in our values. We take pride in the fact we treat people as we want to be treated.
Team
With over 45 years of education recruitment experience, we are sector specialists who are dedicated to finding you the right role.
Who we are
Clarus Education is a specialist education recruitment consultancy that makes a difference. We provide people that are passionate about education with the stepping stone they need to forge a career in their chosen field.
We are driven by the belief that the UK education recruitment system deserves the best. Since the company’s inception in 2015, we have dedicated ourselves to matching talented people with rewarding educational roles.
We specialise in securing permanent and long-term opportunities for existing teachers and graduates inspired by and interested in the education sector. As well as providing exciting opportunities for supply teachers.
Our team’s combined industry expertise helps us guide, advise, and most importantly, listen. Our approach is genuine, honest, and straightforward – we’re here to help and don’t try to mould candidates to positions that aren’t aligned with their professional and personal aspirations.
We strive to add value to everything we do and recognise the important role we have in shaping the future face of schools across London and the West Midlands.
We work hard and smart to make a positive difference to our candidates’ careers, and the performance of the schools we work with.
Values
Personal investment
We put our heart and soul into every placement. Our team gets to know our candidates as individuals and takes great pride in helping them achieve both their short and long-term career aspirations.
Social responsibility
We treat people as we want to be treated. We work collaboratively and in partnership with our client schools, providing support for resources and ongoing community and CSR projects.
Commitment to quality
Our standards are second to none. We adapt to the changing demands of the education sector and consistently deliver exceptional levels of service to both candidates and clients.
Long-term vision
Our relentless focus is on quality and consistency. We assist with high-quality quick fixes and build long-term relationships to help establish successful long-term careers in education.
Meet the team
Alison Watkis-Octave
CEO
Alison is the CEO of Clarus Education.
With almost 20 years of education recruitment experience, she directs the team and provides them with the support and guidance they need to provide the best possible experience for clients and candidates alike.
Alison is incredibly proud of Clarus and the people within it, due to the impeccable level of service they give to all.
Ellen Portsmouth
Compliance Officer
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer
Ellen is a former Secondary Head of Department who’s been with Clarus Education from the beginning. She’s the crazy aunt of the Clarus family and manages the compliance processes, amongst lots of other things.
She is most likely to be caught singing a show tune at her desk!
Samantha Cox
Lead Resourcer & University Liaison Co-ordinator
Samantha was a Primary School Teacher for almost 18 years before embarking on a career change to become a Candidate Resourcer & Trainee Consultant here at Clarus Education.
Her experience in EYFS and KS1 in both UK mainstream schools, and also in international posts in private schools in Dubai, Rome and New York makes her the voice of understanding for candidates looking to find their perfect role.
She enjoys exploring new places as she becomes reacquainted with London after her travels.
Chloe Pilgrim
Principal Consultant
It’s your typical country girl hits the city but with a lot of education in the middle. Originally from Devon, after attending university and achieving Qualified Teacher Status, Chloe has been a teacher in Essex for over 8 years.
Through being in the sector, and experiencing two Education ministers and a change in a National Curriculum, Chloe understands first hand what the different role expectations are and how fluid the education sector is as it continues to adapt and grow.
Utilising her expertise, Chloe joined Clarus Education as a Consultant and applies her knowledge and support to contribute towards the success of Clarus’ clients and candidates. Her priorities are to ensure that the needs of the clientele of Clarus are not only adhered to but surpassed.
Marianne Tapley
Senior Consultant
Marianne has over 10 years experience in the recruitment sector as a consultant and team leader. Her expertise lies in education recruitment ranging from apprenticeships, school and universities both in the UK and internationally.
She has also had first hand teaching experience working in America where she taught horse riding to learners of all ages and abilities.
Georgina Stark
Candidate Resourcer
Georgina is an Education & Special and Inclusive Education Studies graduate with previous experiences as an SEN camp counsellor in the USA as well as an Occupational Therapy Assistant out in Australia.
Having gone on to work as a TA after her studies, Georgina discovered her passion for helping others and believes she can go above and beyond at Clarus Education.
Gemma Parkinson
Compliance Officer & Well-Being Champion
Gemma is a former IAG advisor who has worked in and around the education sector for 15 years.
Gemma has extensive safeguarding knowledge and experience of the education sector which makes well her placed to ensure all processes are followed in line with safer recruitment.
Gemma works alongside Ellen in Compliance and is also our Wellbeing Champion, Content Creator and Social Secretary.
Samiya Williams
Education Consultant
Samiya is a Primary Education Studies graduate with over 7 years of experience within the education sector. After completing her PGCE she went on to become a Primary school teacher. Following this, she worked as an Online Tutor, helping children with behavioral difficulties, SEN, and those needing an extra bit of help to reach their full potential.
This further sparked her passion for supporting children with Special Educational Needs. She is hoping to use her knowledge and experience to help educators find their dream role working with SEN children through Clarus, as well as helping clients find the perfect fit for their students.
Sally Graystone
Senior Consultant
In 2015, Sally graduated in Primary Education, achieving Qualified Teacher Status at the University of Greenwich. Sally then worked as a Primary Teacher for 6 years, in Essex and Dubai, before joining the world of Education Recruitment as a Consultant.
Sally is passionate about all educators’ happiness within their careers and puts individuals’ preferences and goals at the forefront of her recruitment experiences with all types of educators such as Teachers, Lecturers, Senior Leaders & Support staff.
She understands the importance of feeling supported to flourish within all roles, but also what schools, as well as further and higher education providers require to provide high-quality teaching and learning experiences for the children, young people & ambitious students of future generations.
Chris Van de Wiel
Education Consultant
Born, bred, and educated in London - with a stint in Brighton for university - Chris spent over 12 years in education before making the leap to Education Consultant at Clarus where he now specialises in supporting London schools to find the right fit.
From classroom teacher to senior leader, Chris has worked across large multi-academy trusts, with senior leadership roles including ECT Manager, Teaching and Learning Lead, and Professional Development Lead for Mathematics. With his experience spanning the different facets of education, Chris now uses this wealth of knowledge to help others find their perfect roles, ensuring educators and institutions thrive.
Culture and career development
Being part of the Clarus team is more than just a job. We genuinely enjoy helping people find a career they love and shaping their success in education. We work and act collaboratively as a team and celebrate each other’s success with numerous incentives, team building activities, and rewards and recognition for a job well done.
We treat people as we would like to be treated, which is demonstrated in how we support people to overcome challenges and help them achieve the next stage of their professional career progression. Our belief that the education system deserves better is reflected in our company culture; we put our people as a priority.
If you're looking for a fulfilling recruitment career in education, get in touch.