STC looks at expansion
Oct 31 2007 by Chris Knox, The Journal
ACOMPANY that provides teachers to the region’s schools believes the move towards a two-tier education system will help double the size of its operations.
David Stewart, recently recruited as operations manager at Newcastle-based STC Consortium, believes the current shake-up of the North-East’s education system, particularly in the Northumberland area, will leave a number of teachers unemployed as they are squeezed out by the shift from a three tier to a two tier education system.
He believes the changes could result in more people seeking the services of STC, which now provides schools with permanent staff as well as supply teachers.
Mr Stewart said: “Although nothing is for certain, it may be that there is a greater need for our services in the Northumberland area as schools may be forced to close as a result of the changes.”
The firm, based in the Eldon Court building on Percy Street in Newcastle, plans to further its expansion with the creation of a number of new offices in the next 18 months, which it says will help double its current turnover.
STC currently employs seven people but plans to more than double that figure as it expands in areas such as Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Durham. Mr Stewart said: “It is important that we set our sights on establishing an office in all the major towns and cities in the North-East so that teachers can reach us for a face-to-face interview.
“But we have no plans to expand beyond the North-East as we are concentrating on strengthening our position in the region.”
The firm was originally set up in Blyth in 2002 before relocating to Newcastle in 2004 to be more central to serve the needs of the North-East’s education community.
STC has more than 1,000 teachers on its books, with just over half working at any one time. It directly employs its supply teachers through fees from the schools where they work.
The company was set up by ex-supply teacher Susan Moore after she became frustrated at how other agencies were treating her. She said: “I would liken our services to Harrods, not in terms of price but certainly in terms of quality.
“I know many agencies that take little care in who they send to schools, with many secondary school teachers finding themselves in primary schools.
“Our new areas of business will ensure teachers, schools and most importantly children are getting the best service.”
