Step Teachers Reviews 

133
•
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 119 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the dedicated staff for being exceptionally supportive, friendly, and always willing to go above and beyond. People note that the initial registration and onboarding process is remarkably smooth, while daily communication remains exceptionally clear, professional, and consistent throughout various school assignments. Some reviewers were not happy with communication issues, pointing out unexpected delays in getting responses or encountering difficulties when trying to secure placements. A few people also felt that job opportunities could occasionally be inconsistent, making it challenging to maintain steady employment throughout the year.

What people talk about most

Staff

Clients share high satisfaction regarding the staff, highlighting that team members are consistently helpful,... See more

Service

Users describe positive interactions with service, highlighting the supportive and reliable nature of the... See more

Customer service

People report positive experiences with customer service, highlighting that consultants are extremely... See more

User experience

Reviewers express strong satisfaction regarding user experience, highlighting an efficient, helpful, and... See more

Response time

Customers had positive experiences with response time, frequently highlighting that representatives... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have been working with Step Teachers for several years and I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a job in education. Communication is always efficient and they understand my person... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Step Teachers is a great agency to work with. The team is very friendly, helpful, and professional. They always support you and communicate clearly. I felt respected and valued while working with them... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Step Teachers has been a reliable and steadfast company for me over the years that I have been working for them. They care about their teachers and always endeavour to find them work no matter... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have been with Step Teachers since 2022. The branch manager Rachel and Lauren are very good. Both ladies are very efficient, friendly kind, positive and supportive. I have had lots of differen... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Recruitment Service

Written by the company

Step Teachers provides quality supply teachers, support staff and teacher recruitment services to primary and secondary schools across the country.


Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

133 reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 month

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4.7

All reviews

(133)

119 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Primary Supply Teacher for Hertfordshire

Step Teachers provided a wonderful way back to teaching for me, having been out of the classroom whilst I had children. The teaching worked well as a part time and flexible job that I was able to fit around other commitments. Kieren and Gianni were really friendly, enthusiastic and supportive and there were lots of opportunities for work. I went and taught in lots of wonderful local schools and would highly recommend this agency to both schools and teachers.

April 14, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback Hannah! We're so pleased to hear that your return to the classroom has been such a positive experience. It's fantastic that the flexibility worked well for your schedule, and we're thrilled that you enjoyed working with Kieren and Gianni, they’ll be delighted to hear your kind words!

If you know any other teachers or support staff looking for flexible and rewarding opportunities, don’t forget about our Refer a Friend scheme as you could both benefit!

Wishing you continued success in your teaching journey, and thank you again for recommending Step Teachers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great bunch of people

I had a great experience with Step Teachers, especially Joe. From the moment I inquired about working with them, Joe Stiles held my hands in every application, following up steadily to make sure I knew and had every necessary information. I didn't get to work with them eventually, but I have no doubt I would have had greater experiences working with the team. Thank you, Joe, for being so kind and attentive during my registration period. Thanks to Chris as well for being supportive as well.

February 10, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Hey Stella,

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're really glad to hear that your experience with Step Teachers, especially with Joe and Chris was such a positive one, even if it didn’t lead to work this time. Joe will be especially pleased to know how much his support meant to you during the process. We truly appreciate your kind words, and if the opportunity ever arises in the future, we’d love to work with you. Wishing you all the very best!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Driven to tears.

Terrible, just terrible. This especially arrogant, North London-based agency's over-the-top, pedantic registration process (quite literally) drove me to tears (and eventually cost me a good, much-needed supply teaching job as a result). Be aware, that when you attempt to register with this agency in order to work as a Supply Teacher at a school that they happen to have on their books at the time, they will well and truly put you through 'the wringer'. This is a small, regional private company putting Teachers through a vetting process which actually exceeds the requirements of the UK Government's 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' statutory legislation. This is so that they can retain their membership of the 'Recruitment and Employment Confederation' (REC)-which requires an even higher standard for Supply Teacher vetting than the UK Government requires. This is purely a private company marketing gimmick in order to obtain business from schools that, for some unknown reason only known to them, lack confidence in the legal integrity of Supply Teachers vetted through the UK Government's standard Keeping Children Safe in Education process. For some, the Step Teachers registration process may feel like being subjected to a criminal investigation. Their 'compliance team' (that you will have to interact with on a regular basis) are fanatical in their approach and perhaps more suited to a Police detective job role. If/when you fail their vetting process, be assured, it's not because you've failed to meet the standards required by the UK Government's KCS in E legislation, but it's because you've failed to meet the additional standards set by Step Teachers (or, to be more accurate, the additional standards set by The Recruitment and Employment Confederation to which they belong). You may say, well, shouldn't Schoolteachers be rigorously vetted? Quite so, I agree. But this process should be standardised, fair and reasonable. If not, then there's a danger that the decision as to whether a Teacher is compliant or not, will be left to an administrator in the compliance team of a small private commercial business (such as Step Teachers). It's ridiculous when a private profit-making employment agency business reaches a point, that it seems to be so immersed in its own bureaucracy and red tape and making people who want to work for them jump through hoops, that it forgets what it exists to do (which is to find people work, to put them through a reasonable, legal, standardised recruitment process and to allow them to work). Avoid at all costs if you value your sanity and your self-worth and want to go-on to earn a living working as a Supply Teacher. See below for similar negative reviews (which I wish i'd read more carefully beforehand).

March 7, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Hey Ian

We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. We noticed you've made several edits to your review, and due to the structure of the Trustpilot backend, I hope my response addresses your most recent concerns. If there’s anything I haven’t touched on, it’s not intentional just a limitation of what I can see on the platform and I would be more than happy to respond to that query.

We're sorry to hear that your experience with our registration process was frustrating. At Step Teachers, safeguarding children is our highest priority, which is why we follow the necessary compliance checks that align with both the UK Government’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) legislation and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) standards.

These two frameworks work hand in hand to ensure a standardised level of safeguarding for students and schools. While the government sets the legal baseline, the REC helps uphold best practices across the education recruitment sector, giving schools confidence in the staff they hire.

We understand that the process can sometimes feel demanding, but these measures are in place to ensure the level of safety and trust for the partner schools and students we work with. Many schools only work with agencies that uphold these safeguarding standards, and our compliance process need to reflect that commitment.

That said, we never want any candidate to feel overwhelmed or unsupported. We're always open to feedback on how we can improve the experience while maintaining compliance. If there’s a specific part of the process you found frustrating, we’d appreciate hearing from you, please feel free to email us and share your thoughts.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Supportive and great at finding roles

The team at Plymouth are brilliant at finding work and highly supportive. Always good at finding roles, the only downside being my location. Special thanks to Rachel and the team at Plymouth.

November 22, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback Phil! We're really glad to hear that the Plymouth team has been so supportive and helpful in finding you work. We know location can sometimes be a challenge, but we’ll always do our best to match you with the right roles.

A big shoutout to Rachel and the Plymouth team, they’ll be thrilled to hear your kind words! And don’t forget, if you know anyone else looking for opportunities, our Refer a Friend scheme is always a great way to share the love!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am glad to be part of Step Teachers…

I am glad to be part of Step Teachers family they really care about me.
By guide me in right way they give me that opportunities to find my dream job as soon as possible .

September 12, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Thank you so much for your heartfelt message, Fiona! We're absolutely delighted to have you as part of the Step Teachers family. Knowing that you feel supported and guided means the world to us, helping you find your dream job is exactly why we do what we do.

Wishing you continued success and happiness in your teaching journey. And if you know someone else looking for the same kind of support, don’t forget our Refer a Friend scheme is always here too!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very professional staff and helpful

Very professional staff and helpful

July 3, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Thanks so much for your kind words Semina! We're glad you found our team professional and helpful, that’s exactly what we aim for. Always here if you need us again!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had a good experience working with…

I had a good experience working with Step Teachers and the support I had from the staff is second to none.
I will always recommend Step teachers to anyone looking for work as a supply teacher.

August 29, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

hank you so much for your kind words Anzoumana! We're really glad to hear you had such a positive experience with Step Teachers, and it means a lot to know you felt so well supported by the team.

Your recommendation is truly appreciated and if you know anyone else looking for supply work, don’t forget about our Refer a Friend scheme. It’s a great way to help others while enjoying a little thank-you from us!

Wishing you all the best in your teaching journey and we’re always here if you need us again.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Indeed, the registration is awfull.

I agree with a person in here, about the registration. So, if there are more persons who say the exact same thing we cannot talk about something subjective, it becomes a proven reality.

I was approached by three persons by phone, wasting my time. First, I was asked only about DBS and a Police Check from my country. Well, think.. I needed to contact the consulate, to pay a fee, to schedule and wait and to go there, wasting one day in order to have this.

Anyway, I have understood and done it. Another person called me in between and told her that I have already talked with someone. So the third person is asking me for more documents and proofs, telling me that the main person I've talked with is not working anymore....So I needed to talk again the same things...I don't know they don't talk to each other about the candidates, to be more functional!? If for example I've talked with one person, why the second one called me... They don't want to talk with each other because of personal reasons or why is it so unorganised, who has the time to talk the same things over and over again?!

There are standards and normal things to research and the employement process is clear and logical, but personal experience felt like an exaggeration, left to peoples ego's to verify you and show their dominance, based on their position into this situation against you. I was asked to provide refferences from almost all my CV history! So I've sent two numbers and emails, after I talked with the person that they will be called, and then shis person is asking me about refferences from all almost all jobs in the CV, isn't it this crazy?! Like, how many refferences do you need, 50?! I gave you the DBS, I gave you the police check...I gave you already two refferences.... What is wrong with you people?!

With many people you losed contact with, from even 10-13 years ago... This is making you look like you are a criminal... What if you went from some companies by personal choice/resignation and you don't want to deal with them anymore?! This puts you in a dissavantage for their needs, even if you are good for the role. Should we assume that all the work environments are good? No. Any relationship, professional or personal it was broken because your needs were not completed.

Guys, it's a delusion the whole recruitment system! I was absolutely annoyed about the energy you need to give for their paranoic attitude, treating you like a criminal, as only the PENTAGON would ask you about refferences from your whole work history! They will say, you know, in children environment... Yes, in children environment if you are very serious about, you invite the candidate to an interview before anything else, as CV's and titles are nothing, the character of the individual and appearance, manners, education in real time it is what can prove or not.

Just because you have origins in another country to be treated like this it is a bit unfair when in UK 5 from 10 persons have alcohol or drugs problems or another vices, failed marriages or another deviations.... These are usually the people in most of the employement environments, who make you feel like you are not enough just because you were born on another geographical place.

The whole recruitment system is problematic, in general. No one really talks about values, morals and principles, the human condition is excluded, left only in theories, CV's and stupid fake recommendation. Most of the peoples CV's are only lies, complimenting each other on Linkedin, when most of the people have really bad personal and professional boundaries. When you see them in person, the colour of their attitude in general, you just ask yourself, how did this person arrived on this position.. To understand who, from what spiritual and intelectual level, is verifying your capabilities...

These reviews... They don't care....They will say, please call for assistance...so after you've dealed already with dissapointment and wasting your time, they invite you to call again, wasting another time :)

Most of the companies will cover their employees and find a way to be diplomate, trying to hide and change their personal appearance in public, finding excuses, to appear presentable and approachable, turning every situation into their favour like you are the one who is wrong. How many times you see excuses at all of these reviews?! You can count them on our fingers.

I am sure there are many valuable persons in there but the recruitment process is not fair to everyone and the fact that you are coming from another country it feels like they discriminate you.

May 15, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Hey Tudor,

Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m having difficulty locating your information in our system due to the limited details available on Trustpilot. I would like to understand the previous communication and identify where the frustration began so we can determine what went wrong or what was missing from the communication.

We understand that being contacted by multiple people and being asked to provide documentation can be overwhelming and time-consuming. However, this isn’t a discriminatory process; every candidate needs to provide the documentation to ensure we continue to meet the gold standard set by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and as holders of the Education Audit. These regulations outline best practices for employment agencies, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards.

Our goal is to ensure a safe and professional environment for our partner schools and the safety of the children, which is why we require a DBS check, reference history, and an overseas police check before allowing you to work with us. This is a process that everyone must go through.

I’m unable to comment further on other aspects as, previously mentioned, I cannot find you in our system, which means I’m unable to locate who you spoke with and the situation that arose afterward.

If you would like to speak to our compliance team, please call us at 0800 026 9222.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

The process of applying was swift and could not ask for more. A special thanks to Joe and Adam who spent the time to sorting my application.

July 16, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Hey Sam,

Thank you for your amazing 5-star review! We’re delighted to hear that the application process was swift and met your expectations. A special thanks from us as well to Joe and Adam for their efforts in assisting with your application. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Registration with this company is a…

Registration with this company is a total nightmare with endless burrracracy from completing forms, video call interview , several references needed to cover 2 years of work and training packages to complete even before you get offered a a jobs. They really need to cut the red tape and make the process more streamline and simpler . Another reviewer has complained about the same issue. There seems to be endless steps to get registered and you only find out when you go through it. Avoid this company. Plenty more teaching agencies who have a straightforward registration process .

June 18, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Hey Za,

As a member of the REC - Recruitment and Employment Confederation and holders of the Education Audit, which sets out best practices for employment agencies, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards. We send teachers and support staff to work with children, and agencies that wish to comply with the REC code of conduct must have references that cover a two-year period.

We require candidates to complete our application form, provide a CV, complete online training, undergo an interview, and submit ID documents to verify their identity and right to work in the UK. These steps are essential and are outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education, DBS requirements, and Conduct Regulations. While we understand these requirements may seem time-consuming, they are crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the children in our care.

We appreciate your understanding and commitment to these important standards.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Avoid

I am writing to express my deep frustration with the STEP teacher registration process. Despite meticulously providing all requested documents, including two professional references from the past two years, an Enhanced DBS certificate, an overseas police check, and holding a master's degree in ELT from London, my registration remains incomplete. Additionally, I successfully completed the video interview.

However, my application was rejected because I could not provide a reference from my last place of employment, where I worked eight years ago. Given the significant time that has passed, it is impossible for me to obtain such a reference. This requirement was only communicated to me after all other steps were completed, which is highly unprofessional. Had I been aware of this from the start, I would not have invested my time and effort into this process.

This experience has been a complete waste of my time and resources, and I am extremely dissatisfied with how the process was handled. I feel compelled to share this negative experience on Google and other social media platforms to warn others and prevent them from facing similar frustrations.

May 24, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Step Teachers

Hey Esma,

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. I'm really disappointed to hear about your experience with our team. After looking into it with our compliance team, I want to explain why we require your last teaching reference. It's to ensure there are no safeguarding concerns or unusual reasons for dismissal. Our vetting criteria adhere to the gold standards set by the REC, which means we must conduct thorough checks for our candidates we work with.

Unfortunately, our resource team wasn't aware this could be an issue before collecting your other documents. We can only apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you. If you need more information on the reasons why or would like to speak to our compliance team, please call us at 0800 026 9222.

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