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Education Staffing Link (ESL) is an Education Recruitment Agency or Supply Agency who provide Supply Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Leaders to Primary Schools across Birmingham.

Whether you are a Supply Teacher, Head Teacher, Teaching Assistant, Deputy Head, Assistant Head, EYFS Specialist, Lunchtime Supervisor, SEN (Special Educational Needs) Specialist, Cover Teacher or Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), we are here to help. We offer day to day and long term assignments. If you are from a school, looking for supply staff, we would welcome the opportunity to assist you.

Founded in 1994 by Dorothy Dakin, the aim was to offer schools and members of the teaching profession a high quality supply service. The philosophy was to ensure the Supply Team was well supported so that teaching staff could focus on teaching which in turn improves children’s education. The values that Dorothy installed are still very much at the core of the business which is now headed up by Dorothy’s son, Jonathan Dakin, who joined in 1997.

ESL maintains a commitment to deliver to prospective and existing client schools, team members and pupils a long term, high quality service based on collaboration and trust.

ESL operates by the following guiding principles:

Safeguarding
Integrity
Partnership
Financial Fairness
Service
Compliance

In 2002, ESL was an inaugural member of the DfE sponsored Quality Mark scheme, maintaining 100% compliance until the scheme was closed in April 2013. Recognising the value and benefit of external audit and validation, ESL was an active supporter of REC Audited for Education. ESL were the first Midlands company to receive the award in November 2013 and are proud to have maintained this accreditation ever since.

We are a preferred supplier to Birmingham City Council schools. We are also an approved umbrella body registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service to administer checks.

About the team

Jonathan Dakin

Managing Director

Jonathan has been part of the ESL family since 1997, bringing decades of experience, dedication, and a calm head under pressure - skills first sharpened during his time as an Army Officer. He believes in the power of education to transform lives and holds fast to values like integrity, loyalty, commitment, and hard work.

Outside of work, Jonathan is a proud parent to three wonderful kids, he treasures time spent with family and friends. If he’s not at his desk, you’ll likely find him out running or walking the dog, clearing his head and chasing fresh air.

Lucy Clifford

Operations Manager

Lucy is operations manager here at Education Staffing Link and is hands on in every area of the business. She has been with us for over 22 years, having previously been an HR manager within a FMCG business; she is CIPD qualified and an active member of that professional body as well as being a member of the recruitment and employment confederation.

Outside of work, Lucy has a very active social life with her family and friends, she is a AVFC season ticket holder and enjoys a round of golf. She loves her holidays, including trips to America to visit her son who is on a football scholarship there.

Elaine

Senior Education Consultant

Elaine is our senior education consultant and looks after our supply team family and our client schools. She joined ESL in 2015 from a career in print media, her eye for detail and ability to multitask make her a superstar within her role.

Elaine enjoys the great outdoors, she loves gardening and walking and also enjoys her yoga. She definitely brings the zen to the office!

Annabel

Marketing

Annabel looks after marketing for us and has been here over 5 years. She has worked in recruitment for over 25 years, joining us in a part time capacity so she can spend more time with her 2 children who are in primary school.

Away from the office, Annabel enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending music concerts and going on holiday.