Meet the Teaching Agency in Cardiff
The Cardiff office is an exciting location for Academics, and is an office that fully understands the requirements of its schools. The Cardiff office has both Teachers and Support Staff registering continuously due to the excellent reputation Academics has across the rest of the country.
It is a rapidly developing office that has built and maintained excellent relationships with many local schools. The Cardiff office provides supply teachers, teaching assistants and other support staff for day to day supply teaching and support roles, long term supply teaching and support jobs, and permanent placements, in nurseries, schools and colleges in South Wales. The office bases itself on high levels of customer service and aims to deliver a simple, efficient process for clients and candidates.
Since the office opened the office has grown massively thanks to having positive relationships with candidates, which has led to high numbers of referrals. The business model has proved to be a huge success and the company will look to continue in the same way with a solid reputation continuing to grow within the education sector for Cardiff and the surrounding areas.
Dan McGrath
As the Branch Manager, Dan is the newest member of the Academics team having joined the company in November 2022. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience having spent the previous 8 years working as a Senior Consultant with Secondary Schools & Colleges across South Wales.
Over the years, Dan has built some fantastic relationships with both schools and candidates in the education sector and is always keen to speak with new people and seek new working partnerships. Whilst Dan is responsible for overseeing the direction of the Branch as whole, he is still very much involved with the day to day recruitment process and continues to work closely with the vast majority of Secondary Schools across Cardiff & the Vale, Newport, Caerphilly, RCT, Torfaen, and Blaenau Gwent.
Dan is a super keen sportsman and 1 st team captain of his local rugby club, something which he takes great pride in and helps him appreciate the importance of teamwork. When he's not in the office or on the rugby field, you can find Dan spending time with his girlfriend, family, and friends on a walk or in a local pub!
Jessica Banks
Jessie joined the Academics team in early 2018. She was originally a valued member of the London Team but following a recent move to The West Country, she joined the Cardiff Team as a Primary Consultant. Jessie has 7 years’ experience working in Education Recruitment and has covered sectors from Nursery – KS5. Before working in recruitment Jessie was an Early Years Teacher, this gives her a fantastic working knowledge of education and life within schools.
Outside of the office Jessie enjoys spending time with her fiancé, renovating their house, and cooking.
Harrison Jones
Harry joined Academics in October 2021 having previously worked for BT/EE in their sales department for four years. Before that, he ran youth clubs and worked as an LSA in Pupil Referral Units across Manchester.
Having worked in sales and education, Harry thought he would try his hand at amalgamating them both and joined Academics as a Primary & Welsh Language Consultant. Harry works with both English, Welsh medium schools in Cardiff, Caerphilly, R.C.T and The Vale, and is always keen to speak to both English and Welsh speaking candidates.
In his spare time, Harry enjoys going abroad with his fiancée Claire, following the Welsh football team far & wide, whilst also attempting to keep fit.
Luke Hooper
Luke joined Academics in September 2022 as a Candidate Resourcer. His role is to search for the best education staff to represent Academics Cardiff and to support our excellent South Wales schools! Before recruitment, Luke undertook a Masters in Sports Coaching and Pedagogy, and he achieved a distinction grade.
Luke’s passion for education extends to his spare time where he coaches a valleys youth rugby team, and he has successfully led them to becoming the best team in the Dragons region. In turn, he understands the importance of building a rapport with applicants, and providing a personal touch. His knowledge for compliance is outstanding, and this is shown when applicants undertake a fast registration process.
In his spare time, Luke enjoys exploring the UK with his girlfriend Isla, playing and watching snooker, and attending events such as comedy shows.
Joanna Smith
Jo joined Academics Cardiff as a Resourcer in July 2022 and has recently taken on the role of a Primary Consultant in the Vale of Glamorgan. This transition was seamless as Jo has a great ability to develop and maintain existing relationships and prides herself on her positive and professional approach.
Jo graduated Cardiff University with a degree in accounting last year and has always been interested in education, having originally thought about becoming a teacher. However, after finding a career in education recruitment she felt her skills were more in line with the role of consultant, while remaining within the education sector.
In her spare time, Jo enjoys running, attempting recipes from TikTok and planning socials for the office, as she is the self-proclaimed “social secretary”.
Rhys Davies
Rhys joined the Academics team in July 2023, taking on the role of Primary Consultant for Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taff.
His journey leading up to this point involved earning a Geography degree from Swansea University, initially leading to a path towards becoming a Geography teacher. However, his trajectory took an unexpected turn when he took upon a career in sales, prompting him to use the acquired skills in this field for a seamless transition into the world of recruitment.
Outside of work Rhys is a big sports fan dedicating his spare time to playing Cricket, Rugby, and American Football.
Ellie Jacka
Ellie joined the Academics Cardiff team as a Resourcer in October 2023 after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University with an MSc in Psychology in Education. Ellie’s role is to support Teachers and Teaching Assistants in finding their ideal roles within Primary Schools across Cardiff, Caerphilly and The Vale of Glamorgan.
Ellie was raised in a family full of teachers, so naturally decided to study BA Education & Psychology at University. She also worked as a Teaching Assistant throughout her studies in various schools across Cardiff. These experiences have given her an in-depth and practical understanding of the education sector.
In her spare time, Ellie enjoys going to the pub with friends or planning her next festival/holiday!
