Wrexham Office – School Testimonials

It is with great pleasure I am writing this letter to provide a reference for my account manager.
I have found New Directions invaluable and professional thanks to my account manager, before I enrolled with New Directions I was unemployed for 6 months due to redundancy resulting in having no self confidence and focus. I was provided with excellent step by step support and provided constant work from the moment I had joined. Her communication is very polite and understanding, also never failed to return my calls or answer any queries I may have. My account manager also makes sure I’m matched for each school with providing me all necessary information about schools and my requests are always met. New Directions has given me self confidence back and reassurance, I feel as though alot of this is down to my account manager an her excellent support I had received during my difficult time.

Marie – Candidate

It is my great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for my Account Manager.  I have had the pleasure of viewing my Account Managers professional development over the past 7 months and I can state with confidence that she is an extremely motivated and responsible person with a high degree of integrity.  As such, she is one of the main reasons myself and the school decided to return to New Directions.

I have found her an adept communicator with strong leadership qualities.  My Account Manager has demonstrated the ability to manage multiple tasks and accomplish goals efficiently.  I believe that she will have great success in her future endeavors.

I fell she always displays a responsible attitude toward her work and seems to demand a great deal of herself to ensure that she performs any task professionally.  I’ve only known her since November last year, but I feel she is someone I can always trust.  She is always there for me at the end of a telephone and has helped me through some tough situations.  We wouldn’t really use any another agency company.

 

School Testimonial

I’ve always found my Account Manager very helpful and amenable. She has gone out of her way to solve our many problems with staffing this year and is truthful if there is a shortage in a subject, which to me is important. Over the months I think we have built up a good working relationship.

 

School Testimonial

The school recently had a strange situation where we had a number of courses on in school that required a number of supply staff to cover. This was done through Rebecca our account manager at New Directions.

On that morning, I was also informed that a member of staff had gone down with a bug. I phoned New Directions to arrange cover and this was successfully done in no time at all.

Cover for all classes was arranged and I was able to relax whilst on a course knowing that this was the case.
New Directions was my best choice for reliability mainly- knowing that when I phone there is cover arranged. This is invaluable

Mr Matthew Jones – Head Teacher – Ysgol Pant Y Rhedyn

As new users of your service we have been very impressed with the care and level of service provided by our New Directions Account Manager.

Nothing is too much trouble and she always endeavours to meet our needs.

Castle Caereinion Church In Wales School – Mrs J Baker

As Headteacher of Hafren Junior School I have been using the services of your company, New Directions, for the past year. The teachers supplied have been very professional, skilled and friendly. All teachers have arrived in good time, settled in quickly and undertaken any duties requested by myself or the Senior Management Team.

The teachers have taught to a good standard from their own bank of materials or from the class teacher lesson planning. The cost of the service is negotiable and reasonable when viewed against teacher rates on Eteach. Furthermore, New Directions staff have never failed to provide a good supply teacher for cover at my school (irrespective of the timescales I have given for this) and always ask for feedback on their teachers with the view to improving the quality of service – this is an excellent aspect of the New Directions service.

I therefore highly recommend New Directions.

Hafren Junior School – Mr H Jones

As headteacher I have been using the services of New Directions for over the last two years. I use their services frequently as they have they have proved to be very reliable and are able to supply teachers who do a good job. The service provided is always very professional without being overbearing and they will telephone from time to time to check if everything has been running smoothly.

The actual teachers supplied via New Directions have been both professional and courteous and willing to take on board what class teachers have asked them to do. The cost of the service is very advantageous for us a school in the face of very tight budgets. Based on the service provided to us to date, I would highly recommend New Directions.

Arddleen CP School – Mr K Bowyer

As head teacher I have been using the services of New Directions for over two years. I find that the service they provide is excellent. The staff are approachable and ensure they match the right Teacher/Teaching Assistant to our needs. We use New Directions both to cover teaching and non teaching staff.

The pricing structure is clear and this helps to manage already stretched budgets. The invoices are processed quickly and communication is excellent.

I would highly recommend New Directions.

Llandysilio Church In Wales Primary School – Mrs A Williams

We use New Directions on a regular basis and are very pleased with the service.

Our Account Manager is always helpful and will make sure we get the supply teacher we are asking for. She will even ring later in the day to check if everything is ok.

I would recommend New Directions for the fast and efficient service they provide.

Guilsfield C P School – Mrs M McManus

We have used New Directions supply service for at least a year now and find the service is reliable and efficient. It saves time rather than ringing through a supply list, they do this for you.

We are able to find out information about the supply teachers ie: where they have worked and how they got on.

Invoicing is prompt and staff are approachable and friendly.

Carreghofa C.P – Mrs C Pritchard

As a HeadTeacher of two Primary Schools; Ardwyn and Oldford I am very satisfied with our Account Managers standard of work she is particularly helpful in finding a welsh speaker.

A Teacher provided by New Directions is potentially able to have a job because of your introduction to us.

We appreciate the loan of the goal for fundraising and the support with prizes.

Our Account Manager is personable and helps us find emergency solutions, and takes feedback for each booking.

Ardwyn Nursery And Infants School & Oldford Infants – Mrs Y Naylor

We have used New Directions for some time now and Holly has been our main point of contact. Holly is always helpful in finding the right person to suit our needs. She is mindful of the very young age of our children and the need for the most suitable individual. Follow-up calls are always made to provide feedback on new staff.

Any specific requests have been honoured as far as possible, for example when the school needs a particular supply teacher with specific skills. On occasions we have needed a member of staff urgently, and Holly has always done her best to help us solve this issue. Holly is consistently polite and professional.

Holly is also helpful and supportive during community events, ensuring that useful resources are shared – always appreciate the football goal for the Summer Fair! Thank you.

Gungrog Church in Wales Nursery & Infant School – Mrs J Baldwin

I may get a telephone call at 7.30 a.m. from a poorly teacher. I know I can telephone Holly immediately, leave it with her, and be reassured she will find our school a supply teacher for that day.

If I have advanced warning of supply staff needed, I will email her with the details and she very quickly comes back to me with options.

There are some very good supply teachers with New Directions, and we never hesitate to contact Holly for our requirements as she offers a quick,quality service, at all times.

She meets our needs by always making sure she asks which year group we need to cover, and then supplying someone who is suitable.

When she visits us, by prior appointment, she understands how busy we are and ensures she relays any information to us in a quick and very professional manner.

It is always a pleasure to see her.

Ysgol Maesydre – Carol

New Directions has always been a great help to us whenever we have requested supply. Our Account Manager Holly always deals with queries and requests in a professional, polite and friendly manner and I do not think there has ever been an occasion where she hasn’t been able to help us fill a supply vacancy, even when we have given her really short notice. Holly always phones to see how the candidate she has supplied is getting on and is happy to receive feedback about their work, whether positive or negative.

New Directions are always my first choice for supply. Their costs are reasonable and Holly has always been able to help us fill a vacancy when they arise. I feel confident that if I phone Holly, she will get the job done! She has been great!

Bryn Offa C.e Primary – Kathryn

Since first using the service last academic year, we have been impressed with the efficiency and reliability of what New Directions offers us as a school. Essentially the service removes a lot of the ‘headache’ out of securing good quality supply staff. Overall, the supply staff we are sent are of good quality or above and this is evidenced by the fact that we have used the service not just for short term needs but also for longer term cover (up to 2 months). It is clear that there is a good selection process for quality control in place with New Directions, as evidenced by Rebecca’s regular checks about how we found the service offered by specific supply staff. Rebecca is quite open to any of our comments and ensures that she does her best to secure staff (if available) who would be our first choice. In mentioning reliability, given the volume of supply staff provided and the communication this necessitated, there have been very few mix ups in terms of bookings when we haven’t dealt directly with Rebecca. Communication is excellent – we are kept informed by Rebecca regarding the success of finding cover, any possible issues and given information about specific staff in advance of their arrival. To summarise, rarely do we have issues which arise with bookings and the service we have been offered from New Directions by Rebecca is of a very high standard.

I would like to thank you for your work on our behalf.

Regards
Secretary
Ysgol Bryn Colen

School Testimonial

As a supply teacher receiving regular weekly work, I feel that if I ever do have any problems, which are mostly few and far between, Rebecca my account manager is the best person to get in contact with as she always seem to deal with any issues promptly and efficiently.

If I have any enquiries/queries or issues she will also look for have answer, find a solution or willing to get back to me with if she didn’t have one then are then, take for example last week I have a tax enquiry about my payroll and she wasn’t able to give me answer immediately but explained that, to me clearly and told me she would get in touch with payroll, which she did, it turned out that I needed to contact the inland revenue anyway.

Also I must add I seem to have enough work coming in and I do seem to be kept fairly local, which is brilliant with me having a family at home, thank you for all you do.

Sharon – Primary Teacher – Denbighshire

Candidate Testimonial

I would like to say that I am extremely happy with you acting as our account manager. I feel confident in your ability to provide the service I expect and am pleased with how we have worked together over the past few months. You are thorough, polite, helpful and a pleasure to work with.

I would like to think you will continue to be the account manager for Ysgol y Grango and look forward to working with you in the future.

Ysgol Y Grango

We have used New Directions on many occasions to get supply staff and always have our regular contact with Rebecca. She is always polite and helpful and thorough with her questioning as to what we require.

We have found that teachers are always well matched to our needs and details are sent in advance so we know who to expect.

Rebecca always chooses teachers that are local and she gives us a good rate. First thing in the morning she reacts quickly to requests, which is much appreciated.

Many thanks

Sue Van Loock – Ysgol Trefnant

Ysgol Trefnant – Testimonial

I have been using New directions for over a year. Whenever I have required supply teachers, even at very short notice my account manager has always been approachable, polite, thorough and obliging.
She has actively worked to ensure we have the best value for our supply teachers.
She has always listened carefully to any concerns we have had regarding supply teachers and where possible has provided requested named supply teachers.
Her willingness to support schools shines through.

Ysgol Carrog & Ysgol Caer Drewyn Testimonial

Can I take this opportunity to thank the staff in your office for all the help I get when I require supply teachers. They are always pleasant when they answer the phone, and will try their best to accommodate the supply teachers I ask for by name. All the supply teachers are of a high standard and fit in well with our school staff. Over the past few years you have been our first choice because of your rates and readiness to help. I wish everyone the very best.

Ysgol Ffordd Dyffren – Testimonial

I have found New Directions to be a reliable service for providing teacher and support staff cover. I have been able to phone the company on short notice and supply cover has always been available. I know I can get hold of my account manager personally if needed, and she ensures the school has personnel details of the cover in place. She is keen to receive feedback on the staff she sends into schools for their on going professional development. I trust New Directions to provide professional standards in the staff they send into schools and have always found the service quick and efficient.

Ysgol Gellifor & Ysgol Bryn Clwyd – Testimonial

Our school used New Directions on 6 occasions during the school year 2014/15.

When we phoned our request was dealt with promptly and professionally.

When we requested a certain teacher for continuity this was treated with respect and we were able to have the teacher we wanted.

The 2 teaching staff that we have had from New Directions offered good quality teaching and were at a sensible cost.

 

Ysgol Dyffren Iau Llandegla Testimonial

When we had a teaching assistant telephone in sick late one morning we contacted our account manager to arrange cover. As always she was very helpful and promised to call back as soon as she was able to find a suitable member of staff. We use New Directions as our first point of contact as the staff are always efficient, helpful and friendly and endeavour to resolve our staffing issues as soon as possible. She is especially friendly and knowledgeable and is certainly one of the main reasons that we use New Directions,

 

Ysgol Llanbedr – Testimonial

Over the period of time that I have been in contact with my Kathryn regarding cover, I have found her to be professional, extremely helpful and always willing to support our school.

Kathryn always listens to concerns and feedback on the candidates and acts appropriately.  It is very important to build a good customer relationship and Kathryn has managed to do this with our school.

Whatever time I telephone New Directions throughout the day, nothing is ever too much trouble, and Kathryn will be honest if there is no supply available, instead of giving false impressions.

I look forward to carrying on our relationship with New Directions and Kathryn.

Angie Hardwell, Business Manager, St Josephs Catholic High School, Wrexham

As a school, we have contact with Kathryn on virtually a daily basis and are very happy with the service she provides. She is courteous and very efficient and this means we are able to depend on the services offered by New Directions as a result of her work with the school.

Sioned, PA to Head Teacher, Llanfyllin High School

As a college we have been dealing with New Directions and recruitment consultant since September 2015.  She has been extremely helpful and efficient and has ensured that we get the most suitable agency staff and in a timely manner. This has been invaluable.

My account manager has made sure that our needs are met and if changes have been necessary she has been flexible and accommodating.

Communication with my account manager has been excellent and we do appreciate her professionalism

 

Hazel Wilson – Business Manager NPTC Newtown College

The service provided by New Directions is of a very high standard, they always act promptly and our needs are always met satisfactorily.

Any problems are smoothed out very quickly and efficiently and I would be happy to recommend them to other schools.

Carol Fielden, Examinations Officer, Denbigh High School

I have recently had involvement with Shelley as she has successfully sourced good long term supply Teaching Assistants (TA’s) for Troi Rownd. Shelley listened carefully to our Centre’s specific needs and requests and was able to secure excellent long term supply staff, who are proving to be a great addition to our team.

I have found Shelley to be very professional, personable, friendly and helpful. If she is unavailable, Shelley has always returned my phone calls promptly and is always willing to listen and help. Shelley maintains positive contact with myself, throughout the term and positively inquires, without pressure, if we are in need of any further staff. Shelley has formed a good working relationship with myself and our Centre and we are extremely satisfied with New Directions.

Jean Davies, Teacher in Charge, Troi Rownd PRU

I started work at Queensferry C.P. School never having dealt with supply before. Shelley has gone out of her way on many occasions to explain things and help me to understand what is needed. On several occasions she has helped us out efficiently and promptly when we have needed a member of staff at short notice.

Shelley seeks out the best person for the job and has given us staff that have been with us long term with whom we have been very happy.

At least once a week Shelley will ring me to ask if we are happy with everything and to ask for feed back of each person sent by New Directions.

Shelley is friendly, polite and always eager to help.

Liz Joy-Camacho, Queensferry Community Primary

I am pleased with the service provided by my Account Manager at New Directions. I find her conscientious, thorough and accommodating.

Over the past few months she has gone over and above with regards to finding Ysgol y Grango suitable cover supervisors/teachers for short and long term cover.

I am happy with her work and will continue to use New Directions in the future.

Ysgol Y Grango – Tracey Prydderch – Supply Co-Ordinator

My Account Manager organised a long term sickness supply teacher for us at the start of the academic year. Sonia has now been with us for over a month. She has turned out to be one of the best supply teachers we have ever had.

Cindy Helyn-Jones, Business Manager, St Martins High School

I have used New Directions with my account mananger being the main contact for the past few years, with excellent results. Our requirements are fully understood and dealt with very efficiently to our complete satisfaction, the standard of the staff provided by this agency is excellent and we have not been disappointed. I find they have an excellent team who are able to and do meet our exacting requirements.

Susan Tinn, Supply Co-ordinator, Lakelands Academy

I am currently very happy with the service provided by the Secondary Team. New Directions have been able to help us fill two long term positions, with both candidates being of a high calibre. In addition, I have found New Directions flexible when it comes to charging for specific periods, rather than billing us on a block morning / afternoon basis, which during hard financial times, has been of great benefit. I would certainly recommend them to other schools.

Gareth Davies, Business Manager, St Joseph’s Catholic High School

A quick email just to let you know that we have been happy with the service provided by you through New Directions both with the day to day and longer term cover staff.

Wendy Scott, Supply Co-ordinator, Sir John Talbots High School

Testimonial for Secondary Team – New Directions Education Ltd

We have used New Directions Agency over the last 3 months for short term supply and long term absence cover in Chemistry, Business and History A Level subjects.

I have found my Account Manager to be efficient and incredibly quick to respond to our needs. She seems to know all of her candidates, and their strengths and abilities, well and is able to
recommend suitable teachers based on her knowledge and our needs. Even for difficult to fill A Level subjects such as Maths and Physics, my Account Manager has been able to provide details
of potential candidates who are readily available and suitably experienced.

The teachers we have had to date from New Directions have been of good quality; particularly the long term cover teacher we currently have in History, who has settled well into College life
and is well thought of by students and colleagues alike.

I will be leaving Shrewsbury Sixth Form College at the end of this term, and I look forward to continuing a business relationship with New Directions in my new employment.

Sharon Parks, HR Manager, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College

The service provided by New Directions is at all times friendly, reliable and efficient. Whether for immediate, short-term requirements or longer term supply New Directions have always been helpful and professional and I would not hesitate in recommending them.

 

Chanel Garnett, Ysgol Christchurch – Rhyl

I would like to thank New Directions Education in Wrexham for all your support this year, it has been a pleasure working with you.

I know you will always try to find me the very best candidate suitable for our school. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed!!

 

 

 

Hannah Bailey, School Secretary, Northorp Hall Primary

In all the dealings the school has had with New Directions Education in Wrexham, we have always found the service to be efficient and all the staff courteous.

Our Account Manager has been at the forefront of this service, she has at all times been helpful, professional, friendly and efficient. We have recommended New Directions Education to other schools in the area, giving my account managers name as a contact due to her professional conduct and the exceptional service she provides.

Dave Lamboune, Brynhafren C. P. School

We have been working with New Directions Education in Wrexham for our supply needs, the service provided by New Directions Education has been valuable to our school.

Kath Thomas, Headteacher, St. Michaels Church In Wales School, Powys

As new users of New Directions Education in Wrexham, we have been very impressed with the care and level of service provided by our Account Manager.

Our Account Manager is always ready to help and nothing is too much trouble, she goes above and beyond to ensure she always meets our needs.

 

Judith Baker, Head Teacher, Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School

The service provided by New Directions Education is at all times friendly, reliable and efficient.

Whether it is for immediate, short-term or longer term teaching supply New Directions Education have always been helpful and professional.

I would not hesitate in recommending New Directions Education.

Chanel Garnett, Ysgol Christchurch Rhyl

‘I have used New Directions for just over two terms, and I have found the service to be extremely worthwhile. I first came across New Directions through word-of-mouth from other Head Teachers. I was rather sceptical at first and worried about how the whole system of using an agency worked.

I received a visit to the school from a New Directions Account Manager and from the moment I met her I realised that she was a thoroughly professional individual who was passionate about the work she does, as well as being a person who puts the client interests first.

As a point of contact for me as a Head Teacher, when looking for a member of supply staff I know that she will act promptly and will always provide the highest level of service required.

Furthermore, I am able to ask for specific needs for when I need supply cover eg Welsh speaker, experience in teaching music and such like.

In the past, I used to spend hours trawling through supply lists trying to find the right supply cover. This was often frustrating and often unsuccessful. New Directions have taken this strain from my shoulders and I can now concentrate on the more important matters of improving my school.

As a result of her excellent efforts I am more than willing to recommend New Directions to colleagues, assuring them that they will be provided with the very best of service’

Matthew Jones
Head Teacher

Ysgol Pant y Rhedyn

Head Teacher, Ysgol Pant y Rhedin

I have been using New Directions as a part of my supply strategy since January 2012 and have found them to be both professional and reliable at all times. Using New Directions has saved me not only many hours of phone calls but worry and stress dealing with last minutes sickness cover. They work hard to match our exact requirements for the staff we need and where possible send the same staff back to us that we have used before. To be able to make one phone call between 7.00am in the morning to 9.00pm at night and know your supply will be sorted out is just great. I would recommend their service without hesitation.

Mr Michael O’Grady
Headteacher

Ysgol Parc Y Llan

Ysgol Y Waun have been registered with the New Directions agency since January 2012, the agency have supplied the school with Level 2 and Level 4 Teaching Assistants. During this time we have had several members of staff off on long term sickness and there have also been many short term sickness absences. I have found our Account Manager to be very polite and accommodating. He has been able to supply us with a TA often at very short notice. I have been impressed with his manner and his helpfulness and have found the service that he and the agency provide invaluable.

Kath Eccleston
Headteacher

Ysgol Y Waun

We would like to say how excellent the service has been to our school from New Directions over the past few years. You always go the extra mile to provide a personal service, and the supply staff you provide are of the highest quality.

I know that New Directions will always meet our needs, with professionalism, with no task being too small.

I would like to thank the staff for their help. It is encouraging when they recognise your voice on the telephone and it shows how much customers are valued.

Mr M Bostock
Business Manager

St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School