Salaries and Costs
Teacher pay in Wales uses national scales that set starting points and progression. Classroom teachers often sit between £30,000 and £47,000, depending on scale and experience, with leadership posts moving up to £ 50,000. Supply teacher day rates across Dyfed often range from £130 to £180, depending on subject, stage, and travel. Teaching assistant hourly pay often sits between £11 and £14, depending on duties and level. Recruitment agencies charge a fee on the basic salary for permanent hires, with many schools seeing quotes in the £3,000 to £6,000 range for mid-scale teachers, depending on salary level and any rebate terms. For temporary cover, agencies charge a margin on top of the pay rate, with transparent breakdowns covering PAYE, holiday pay, pension, and statutory costs. Ask about charge rates, rebates, temp-to-perm steps, and any transfer fees before you approve a booking.
Qualifications
Teachers must hold QTS for most school roles, with PGCE and relevant subject degrees forming the usual route. FE lecturers and tutors often present a teaching qualification linked to post-16, with assessor or verifier awards for vocational lines. Teaching assistants can enter with GCSEs and experience; Level 2 or Level 3 qualifications are useful for classroom practice. Welsh language skills are prized across Dyfed, with bilingual classroom support in demand in Welsh-medium settings. Candidates working with children or vulnerable adults must pass DBS checks, and most agencies guide applicants through the update service steps. Schools and colleges often request recent safeguarding training, first aid for some roles, and up-to-date EWC registration for teachers and FE learning support where required.
Regional Or Geographic Variations
Dyfed covers coastal and rural communities across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire. Hiring patterns vary between towns such as Carmarthen, Llanelli, Haverfordwest, and Aberystwyth. Rural schools can face longer travel times and tighter public transport links, which can nudge pay rates or mileage. Welsh-medium settings are more common in parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, so recruiters often sift carefully for language fluency. University terms in Aberystwyth and on campuses in Carmarthen increase demand for FE and support roles throughout the academic year. Good road links on the A40 and A48 help agencies cover short-notice bookings across wider catchments.
Local Hiring Challenges
Subject shortages in maths, physics, computer science, and Welsh remain a live issue. ALN support is another pressure point, with schools seeking experienced teaching assistants who can work with complex needs and follow individual plans. Rural travel, split sites, and small school structures can make timetabling tight, so agencies that can field part-day or flexible cover hold an edge. Employers look for reliable attendance, safeguarding confidence, and strong classroom management. Clear onboarding, quick referencing, and pre-cleared candidates help reduce lost teaching time across Dyfed.
Key Sectors Or Employers In The Region
Primary and secondary schools form the core, joined by FE providers and training organisations. Aberystwyth University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David influence talent flow and support roles around student services and outreach. Coleg Sir Gâr and Pembrokeshire College draw steady demand for lecturers, instructors, and learning support staff. Pupil referral units and ALN settings across the three counties hire specialist support workers. Education recruitment agencies in Dyfed often keep live pools for invigilators, exam officers, and cover supervisors during peak periods.
Regulatory Or Compliance Standards
Safer recruitment sits at the heart of every booking. Employers expect full reference checks, right-to-work checks, and recent DBS outcomes. Agencies follow Welsh Government safeguarding guidance, with staff trained to report concerns and follow school policies. EWC registration applies to teachers and certain FE support roles in Wales. The Agency Worker Regulations set equal treatment rights after the qualifying period, and hiring managers often request breakdowns of pay, holiday pay, and any uplifts. Schools should request vetting summaries before a candidate starts, and candidates should keep documents and training records ready for rapid deployment.
Common Job Roles Agencies Recruit For In This Sector
Education recruiters in Dyfed source classroom teachers across the early years, primary, and secondary phases. Typical needs include HLTA, teaching assistant, ALN teaching assistant, cover supervisor, and learning mentor. FE and skills providers request lecturers, instructors, and assessors across construction, engineering, health, social care, and hospitality. Exam season sparks demand for invigilators and administrators. Senior hires can include heads of department and pastoral leads, with executive search used for deputy head and headteacher appointments when confidentiality and reach matter.
Seasonal Trends Or Themes
September brings the heaviest start-up demand, with October and November steady for long-term cover. The spring term sees day-to-day supply and sickness cover climb, with exam support ramping up from April. Summer features pre-September recruitment for permanent posts and planning for the induction year. Coastal towns can see transport patterns shift in holiday months, so punctuality planning matters for early starts. Education recruitment agencies balance short-notice requests with longer pipelines to meet these peaks across Dyfed.
Market And Trend Snapshots
Welsh-medium capability remains a hiring edge for teachers and support staff. ALN reform keeps specialist skills in steady demand. Schools increasingly ask for behaviour support and trauma-informed practice, with training providers offering short courses that improve classroom readiness. Remote screening, video interviews, and online timesheets speed up processes for both employers and candidates. Recruitment and staffing agencies that maintain strong local talent pools can shorten lead times for rural schools and reduce reliance on repeated job adverts.
Quick Facts And Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical agency fees for a permanent teacher hire in Dyfed?
Many employers see fees that range from 12% to 18% of basic salary, with rebates linked to the start and leaving dates.
What supply day rates can a newly qualified teacher expect?
Rates near £130 to £150 are common across Dyfed, with subject and travel influencing the figure.
How do schools control agency costs on long-term cover?
Agree on charge rates upfront, request weekly timesheet checks, and review any temp-to-perm triggers before extension.
Do I need EWC registration for a teaching assistant role?
EWC registration applies to teachers and certain FE support roles. Many school-based TA roles do not require it, though local policies vary.
How fast can recruitment consultants place day-to-day cover?
Cleared candidates can be booked the same morning, with travel time the main limiter in rural areas.
Can job seekers register with an agency before obtaining a DBS?
Yes, you can start registration. Work only begins after the DBS is returned or verified via the update service.
Do recruitment agencies handle executive search for headship?
Yes, some employment firms run discreet campaigns for senior leaders across Dyfed.
Can local employers request Welsh-speaking candidates for Welsh-medium schools?
Yes, language skills form a genuine requirement for those settings, and agencies will screen accordingly.
What contract options are common for support staff?
Temporary and contract work is frequent in term time, with permanent moves available after a successful stint.