Client & Candidate Testimonials

"I first connected with MAT Recruitment in Autumn 2023 while working in Dubai at an international school preparing for an inspection. The team reached out with a very specific role in Manchester that matched my skills, which immediately felt genuine and tailored, not just a generic call. Unlike other agencies I've worked with as an executive principal and CEO, MAT Recruitment was clear about what they could offer and really did the legwork to find the right fit. Their focus on what's best for the school and its students, rather than just filling vacancies, stood out to me. Since starting the fixed-term role in February, they've maintained contact, helping me think ahead about my next steps. Working with them has been refreshingly straightforward and professional throughout."

"The team at MAT Recruitment opened my eyes to international opportunities I hadn't considered before. Despite not being ready for overseas roles a year ago, they reached out at the perfect time when I was able to explore a leadership position in Abu Dhabi. They supported me through multiple interview stages, helped tailor my CV and cover letter to highlight my language skills and cultural awareness, something I hadn't focused on for a while as a headteacher. Their genuine understanding of my experience meant they only put me forward for roles that truly suited me, unlike other recruiters who just seem to fill quotas. MAT Recruitment has stayed in close contact and kept me informed every step of the way, their ongoing dedication and personalised approach have made all the difference."

"I've worked with MAT Recruitment both as a client and candidate for over 15 years, particularly relying on them for management roles in challenging educational settings. The team's deep understanding of local contexts and experience with high-needs children means they consistently find candidates who can thrive in demanding environments. Recently, they helped me secure a head of education role outside of traditional schools, showing their expertise extends beyond mainstream settings. Communication is always clear and reliable; if they say they'll get back to you by lunchtime, they do. The team puts the hours in and expects the highest standards from everyone involved. They're not just filling positions, they genuinely care about matching the right people to the right roles."

"We've worked with MAT Recruitment for around five years, initially relying on them to fill staffing gaps during a challenging period. The team consistently delivered high-quality candidates, often surpassing what other agencies offered. When I became head of secondary in Sheffield, MAT Recruitment helped us build a largely unstaffed team, providing a strong pool of candidates. What really stands out is their thorough communication and genuine care, the team followed up on staff welfare concerns and stayed fully engaged and positive throughout. They left no stone unturned in supporting both schools and candidates."

"We partnered with the team at MAT Recruitment over the past 18 months to fill several senior roles across our schools in Lancaster, Morecambe, and Carnforth. With multiple retirements happening simultaneously, we needed extra support to manage the workload and reach a wider pool of candidates beyond our usual network. The team really put in serious groundwork, providing numerous candidates and handling all the admin seamlessly. We've used MAT Recruitment multiple times and appreciate how much they genuinely care about the process."

"As a headteacher of a large secondary school, I really value how easy it is to connect with the team at MAT Recruitment. Whether it's a quick phone call or a message, they're always responsive and ready to discuss the role in detail. They come prepared with a strong candidate pool, sometimes lining up suitable candidates that day. Over nearly five years, they've consistently placed excellent teachers into our school, especially for core subjects. Their hands-on approach and genuine care make the whole recruitment process feel personal and efficient, something I've rarely experienced with other recruiters."

"Working with the team at MAT Recruitment felt refreshingly professional and tailored. As a headteacher searching for a fixed-term role at short notice, they took the time to understand my skills, achievements, and career goals rather than just pushing any vacancy. Their honest advice about the market and where I should focus next really helped me make informed decisions. Communication was consistent, and they stayed in touch even after placing me, checking in on how I was settling in. Thanks to their dedication, I secured a role that's led to a promising permanent opportunity. I couldn't recommend MAT Recruitment more for anyone needing thoughtful, expert support in education recruitment."

"I've been working with MAT Recruitment for over a decade, both as a candidate and as a headteacher bringing in new staff. Their communication is prompt and detailed, and they genuinely listen to what the school needs, whether it's filling longer-term leadership posts or specialist roles like heads of departments. The team at MAT Recruitment takes the time to understand the role and only recommend candidates who truly fit, not just to fill a vacancy. They really graft to find the right person and are honest about what's realistic, which builds real trust. Even when a placement doesn't work out, they're quick to adjust and find a better match. Their approach has made a real difference in recruiting for fixed-term contracts and specialist leadership positions in education, and that's why I keep coming back to them."

"We've worked with the team at MAT Recruitment since 2010, and they played a key role in appointing a headteacher for the pupil referral unit where I chair the governing body. They carefully matched us with a candidate who had the exact skills needed for this unique environment, and that leader stayed with us for nearly a decade. More recently, the team supported us in appointing co-head teachers from within the school, guiding the selection panel with valuable insight. Beyond recruitment, the team at MAT Recruitment continues to contribute as dedicated governors, demonstrating deep understanding and genuine commitment to the educational landscape. Their involvement has made a real difference to our school's leadership and governance."

"I've worked with MAT Recruitment both as a candidate and a client for over a decade, and their service remains consistently outstanding. The team takes the time to fully understand our specific needs, whether that's finding the right science teachers or filling fixed-term contracts. They don't just send anyone; they carefully headhunt candidates who truly fit the brief. What stands out most is their genuine care and strong moral compass, they make sure it's a good match for everyone involved, not just a quick placement. Communication is smooth, and they provide thoughtful guidance throughout the process, acting as a trusted intermediary. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend MAT Recruitment to anyone looking for quality candidates and a recruitment partner that really puts the work in to get it right."

"I've worked with the team at MAT Recruitment for over five years, both as a headteacher and now as a Director of Education within a trust. They offer a truly personalised service, taking the time to understand exactly what we're looking for and aligning candidates with our school culture and values. Whether it's a difficult-to-recruit role or a temporary position, they don't just send anyone; they provide quality candidates who are the best fit. From temporary deputy head positions to teaching assistants, their bespoke staffing solutions have been invaluable. Their sector understanding is second to none, and if they don't have the right candidate immediately, they will proactively headhunt to find the best person. It's not just a tick-box exercise for them; they genuinely care about finding people who will stay and invest in the role."

"I've known and worked with MAT Recruitment for around 15 years, both as a candidate early in my career and as a client recruiting across multiple trusts. Throughout that time, they have consistently proved to be reliable and honest. What keeps me coming back is the full package — the flexibility to work around busy school leaders who only have a small window of time, the thoroughness with which candidates are vetted, and the level of scrutiny applied before anyone is put in front of you. It's a more considered approach than you get elsewhere, and that's precisely why people keep going back. MAT Recruitment don't just send anyone your way; they take the time to get it right."

"I first connected with MAT Recruitment in 2016 when they placed me as a Vice Principal, and I've continued to work with them ever since to recruit middle and senior leaders across our trust. What sets MAT Recruitment apart is the honesty, trust, and highly personal relationship they build. They maintain a remarkably high bar for candidates, especially for permanent roles, so I always know I'm not going to get just anyone to fill a seat. In a market where many agencies simply regurgitate candidates to make a quick placement, MAT Recruitment operates with a strong moral compass. They genuinely care about the schools they work with and consistently deliver quality candidates capable of doing the job right."

"I first connected with the team at MAT Recruitment about three years ago, but I wasn't ready to move then. Over time, they stayed in touch and really understood what I was looking for. When I was ready to make a change just over a year ago, they moved quickly. Within four days, they had secured me an interview for a leadership role, despite the application process already being underway. They reached out directly to the CEO to get me considered, showing genuine insight into the right fit for me rather than just sending me any vacancy. Since then, I've relied on MAT Recruitment to help fill key positions at my schools, including appointing a principal and sourcing science teachers. The team takes the time to truly understand candidates and clients, ensuring placements are meaningful and sustainable. Their dedication and personal approach have made them my go-to recruitment partner."

"We've worked with the team at MAT Recruitment for over 20 years, mainly to fill challenging school roles that require a tailored search. Their communication is clear and consistent, and they take the time to truly understand what we're looking for. Unlike larger agencies, they deliver quality candidates who genuinely fit the role, not just anyone to fill seats. MAT Recruitment is our go-to for those hard-to-fill positions."

"When opening a new school in Marrakesh, we turned to MAT Recruitment to find the perfect headteacher to lead the launch. They quickly presented us with strong candidates, and we selected someone with real international experience, resilience, and a clear passion for building a school from the ground up. MAT Recruitment made sure the timing worked perfectly so we could support the candidate with the right accommodation and salary. Later, while working to turn around a struggling school in Stockport, MAT Recruitment sourced a headteacher who stepped in on a short-term basis and made a significant, positive impact. Both appointments were senior roles that affected thousands of children, and the team at MAT Recruitment truly understood the importance of getting it right. What stands out is their ethical approach, they don't just push candidates; they focus on quality and fit. They invest time to really understand the role and school culture, delivering far more than just filling a vacancy. That's why we keep coming back."