Testimonials - Candidate Testimonials

I would like to take this opportunity to write about Grass Roots Academic Support and more particularly the two people behind that supply agency, Rob Bloom and Melissa Castle.

I was contacted by Melissa Castle last year after leaving my CV on CV-Library.com and we agreed to meet for an interview. I wanted to teach in the Ipswich area at the time but due to having two very young children, I was looking to work for an agency that could provide me with the flexibility which I needed due to my family set-up.

Melissa struck me as being a dynamic and understanding individual for whom a supply teacher is just not another ‘commodity’. There is a plethora of agencies in the area and many more nationwide and I must say that in my experience, not all compare well with Grass Roots.

In no time, Melissa had found me a part-time position not very far from my home and, due to the good relationships she has with the Heads of Cover/ HR in many a school in the area, I obtained that short-term part-time position after the necessary checks were made.

Although I love teaching, I must admit that getting back into it was a somewhat daunting prospect as I only had done a short bout of supply in a local school for the past 4 years, my confidence had been dented and my family circumstances were not easy to deal with.
Melissa was just the person whom I needed: she is a warm, caring, conscientious individual who is an excellent listener and gets to know her clients before ‘selling’ to the adequate recruiting school.

I wholeheartedly recommend Grass Roots Academic Support to any teacher looking for suitable supply positions and I hope that their experience of this agency will prove as fruitful and enjoyable as mine has.

"Of the many agencies I contacted, Grass Roots AS were immediately responsive. An informal interview was quickly arranged which was both personable and professional. Whilst my CRB check was being processed, I was kept informed of progress and forthcoming opportunities for work. As soon as the CRB check was cleared, Grass Roots had already found work which matched my specifications. The agency has maintained clear communication and their efficient organisation means that the agreed salary is processed regularly, without delay. They have eased the process of gaining work and I highly recommend them!"

"Having been a supply teacher for over a year, I have found that Grass Roots has been able to provide me with a wide variety of assignments at a selection of schools within easy reach of my home. Being a small agency, Rob Bloom, the owner of Grass Roots has paid extra attention to my individual circumstances, and has always been quick to respond to my questions and concerns.
I have no hesitation in recommending Grass Roots to any prospective supply teacher."

"Since I registered with Grass Roots Academic Support 1 year ago, I have finally experienced the full support and reliance of an agency that has the right attitude towards people and has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the teaching profession . Rob Bloom not only really cares for all of us, but always makes sure that whatever the assignment, it is the right one.

Rob Bloom is an excellent Manager, a talented organiser and a superb listener. He always goes the extra mile with a smile. I believe Grass Roots will soon become a “household” name in the supply teaching profession and a milestone for many others and I am proud to be part of it."

"I have worked for Grass Roots on and off for the past two years and have without exception found the staff very helpful and professional. The assignments I have been given have proved interesting and lucrative with my money paid accurately and promptly every single time."

"I have known Rob Bloom in his professional capacity as an education recruitment consultant specialist for the past 7 years.
In all my dealings with him he has always, without fail, proved to be highly professional. He is easily contactable, returning voicemail messages and emails very quickly. He is a great listener too and very easy to talk to and get on with. He knows the world of school education inside out and understands exactly what his clients are looking for in terms of work assignments, and works hard to ensure you are placed in the teaching post that is right for you. He always endeavours to secure his teachers the best pay rates too.
Thanks to him I have had a number of successful teaching placements. You can be confident that he will find the right placement for you."

"Grass Roots provides an excellent, personalised service.

After making the decision to try supply teaching, I contacted Grass Roots by email, I immediately received a telephone call in order to arrange an informal meeting. Melissa went out of her way to meet at a time and location suitable for me.

Being friendly, helpful, organised and efficient, Melissa spent time getting to know my strengths and weaknesses, as well as what I wanted from my time as a supply teacher. This enabled her to find appropriate work for me in record time.

As a way of as ensuring each placement is a positive experience for the supply teacher, Grass Roots has the well-being of its supply staff at the forefront of its philosophy. In addition to being very informative about each role and the expectations of individual schools, Melissa is genuinely interested in how a placement has been. She contacts me regularly in order to ensure I am satisfied with my treatment by both staff and pupils at any establishment I visit and if my needs or requirements from Grass Roots have changed.

I would strongly recommend Grass Roots to anybody thinking about supply teaching!"

"Grass Roots are fantastic. I was with a larger agency before I heard about Grass Roots and they failed to deliver and were a complete disappointment. When I joined Grass Roots, they were so helpful, friendly and found me work almost immediately. Something the larger agencies can't always achieve.
I am so happy I made the decision to switch to Grass Roots. They were recommended to me and I would recommend them to anyone also. I am very happy with the service they provide."