Meet the Teaching Agency in Halifax

Jason Howard Branch Manager / Calderdale Primary Consultant

Jason has been recruiting teachers and support staff for the business since February 2008, and is one of the longest serving members of the Academics family! Prior to working in recruitment, after graduating in Music, Jason worked in publishing sales and retail, before taking a chance on a resourcing opportunity for the company in 2008, and he has been here ever since. From 2011, Jason has successfully grown the Academics brand within the Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford Local Authorities. Jason manages the Halifax branch and still directly supports recruitment process in Calderdale primary schools. Because of the trust Jason has built with his client schools, he is also heavily involved with a large amount of permanent vacancy management, from TA’s to SLT. Jason holds Cert RP status with the REC.

Life outside of work for Jason is committed to his two young boys, drum kit, extensive vinyl collection and his long suffering wife!

Caitlyn Spencer Senior Recruitment Consultant – Secondary

Caitlyn joined Academics in 2016 and since joining the team in Halifax, has built the local secondary supply through delivering long term, daily and permanent recruitment solutions to schools across Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford. Caitlyn works closely with secondary teachers and support staff, and is keen to hear from you if you’re looking for daily supply teaching in Halifax, or even a long term teaching opportunity. Caitlyn Graduated with a first class honours degree in Business Management from the University of Huddersfield which has given her the skills to build successful relationships with schools, teachers and support staff.

Away from work Caitlyn enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog. Trips to the park, walks in the countryside and days out at the beach are some of the things you will find her doing at the weekend.

Matthew Barrett Kirklees Team Leader

Matt joined Academics in February 2019 after 8 years as an Estate Agent (don’t judge him!) in Halifax and Huddersfield where he gained skills in negotiations and communication with the last 3 years spent in managerial positions within West Yorkshire. Matt is now the Kirklees Primary Team Leader as well as supplying Primary schools in the Huddersfield, Holmfirth & Mirfield with daily supply, long term and permanent primary teachers & schools support staff. Matt is also responsible for the training and management of our newest recruit, Jasmin Rhodes. Jasmin will be in charge of recruitment for schools across Batley, Dewsbury and the Spen Valley with Matt overseeing things every step of the way.

In his spare time Matt enjoys playing snooker, cricket, is a keen follower of Huddersfield Town FC and enjoys spending time with his wife, travelling and relaxing away from work

Jasmin Rhodes Recruitment Consultant, North Kirklees Primary

Jas is the newest member of the team and she began here at Academics in March 2022. Previously Jas worked for three Years for an insurance company as a Broker Consultant, after spending time as an Au Pair in Australia and gaining experience within education settings. Jas’ role within the company is the recruitment for the Spen Valley, Dewsbury and Batley areas. In her spare time, Jas loves spending time with her staffy pup, Ralph and her two cats. When not at home with the animals she loves travelling, camping and going out for food.

Jordyn Stancliffe Recruitment Consultant – SEN

Jordyn joined Academics in June 2021. She originally joined the company to cover the secondary desk for a maternity period. Although this was Jordyn’s first experience of education recruitment, she succeeded in ensuring the desk maintained the same level of standard whilst also helping to ensure the continuous growth. As she begins to expand in to the Academics family, Jordyn will be turning her attention to an SEN specific capacity. She will be supporting mainstream and specialist provisions for learners with additional needs from the Halifax Branch.

Away from her desk, Jordyn enjoys long walks with her beautiful staffy Bishop and spending time with her friends and family in order to wind down from the craziness of life.

Louise Goodchild Administrator

Louise joined the company in 2005 as an administrator after working as a supervisor in an opticians but over the years her role has progressed and evolved. She quickly got to grips with the Education sector and took on more of a compliance role which she carried out for many years. After a short maternity break to have her son she returned to the company at the beginning of 2017 and began a brand new role supporting the Managing Director and Regional Manager with a number of tasks including looking after reporting, statistics and figures, the referral scheme and much more. Louise is now the second longest serving employee across the entire company.

Away from work Louise enjoys spending time with her family and friends, plays Goal Shooter for her netball team and loves being on stage in her local Amateur Dramatics group. She’s even been known to choreograph a show or two.

Emily Lonsdale Recruitment Consultant – Bradford Primary

Emily joined Team Academics in 2021 to further develop the brand in Bradford Primary Schools. In a former life, Emily was a KS1 teacher! Although Emily thoroughly loved being in the classroom teaching, her true passion lies in recruitment with 6 years credible experience in the industry. Being a former teacher, she fully understands the true meaning of candidate quality, setting the bar high with the calibre of staff and schools that she works with and is often seen supporting her own staff with their CPD needs including; school observations, personal statements, lesson plans, ECT Inductions and job interviews. She is also proud to represent two of her Primary schools as a Governor where she offers wider support to the school outside of her day to day job.

Outside of work Emily can be seen exploring the Yorkshire countryside with her partner walking here there and everywhere! And enjoys yoga and swimming to relax.

Alice Mordue

Alice started with the Academics Halifax team in October 2022. Prior to joining Academics, Alice was a Primary teacher, with experience of supply teaching! Despite having a love for teaching and travelling to work in a varied amount of amazing schools around Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale, her true vocation is to use her experience in learning, teaching and assessment to find high-quality, committed, Primary, Secondary, and SEND teaching and support staff, to make a difference within Education. Alice’s role is to put 110% into finding the best candidates, supporting them to find their dream school job within our fantastic schools.

In her spare time, Alice loves to step back onto the ice as she is a former figure skater. Loves spending time with family, friends and her 4 doggies, as well as travelling to places hot when she gets the chance to escape from reality.