The challenge…
As the Headteacher of a progressive international school in Tanzania, one of my biggest challenges lies in finding independent, motivated, and passionate teachers. At SCIS, we recognise that high-quality educators and leaders are the key ingredients for an outstanding school.
Finding the ‘right fit’ for our school goes beyond qualifications and experience, it is about shared values, beliefs, and long-term commitment. We always have plenty of candidates interested; however, evaluating a candidate’s core values, beliefs, and interpersonal skills takes time – a scarce resource for school leaders.
A competitive market and rising costs
Over the years, it has been getting tougher. As more international schools open, there is more competition for the best teachers. The number of international schools is growing rapidly, but the supply of qualified teachers is not keeping pace. Finding the right teacher is understanding that international teachers look beyond just the financials, though these are of course important, and another challenge for our school based in Africa.
Recruiting international teachers is becoming increasingly expensive, with costs rising significantly as demand outstrips supply. Many people are surprised to learn just how costly it is to place just a single job advert. The leaders in educational recruitment have used this information to their benefit, and while profit-driven recruitment models are understandable, these rising costs place a significant burden on schools. However, these increases in costs and prices led to a realisation that SCIS needed to look for an alternative solution.
Seeking a sustainable solution
As a not-for-profit school, every dollar truly counts, and I was keen on finding a solution that enabled us to spend less, get those quality teachers our students deserve, and spend more on teaching resources that will ultimately benefit my students. Yes, this is indeed every school leader’s hope, but one can dream, right?
Determined to find a more sustainable approach, we explored recruitment agencies that could help us attract top talent while keeping costs manageable. It was decided to get the help of a recruitment company that can help us find excellent staff, whilst minimising our workload and costs.
Partnership built on understanding and trust
After thorough research, we chose Teacher Horizons, a platform I had trusted before for hard-to-fill vacancies.
I shared my story, situation, and experience with Laura – Director of School Services – and asked if they could help. Laura responded swiftly with the reassuring solution of a fixed annual fee at a very competitive rate. While it seemed almost too good to be true, I decided to try their approach. So this school year we trialled Laura’s proposal and it has been an absolute dream!
Outstanding results
We kicked off the process with a briefing call with Laura who took a deep dive into our school, our values, our needs, and who would fit in, so that she could share with her team of subject advisers. She also visited SCIS to gain firsthand insight into our school, its context, and the community we serve. From then on, Teacher Horizons handled the ‘heavy lifting’ – screening, shortlisting, and interviewing potential candidates.
This meant that I was no longer buried under a pile of variable CVs but could focus on what I wish to spend more time on – care for, and run my school. When their team was done, they only recommended excellent candidates who had the right qualifications, beliefs, and experience for our needs, and aligned with our culture and values. The ‘fit’ was key. We wanted staff who would be excellent teachers inside and outside of the classroom, and stay for longer than the contract period.
Better teachers with more time available
The results have exceeded my expectations. This year, we have hired all of our teachers through Teacher Horizons, and I am confident it is our strongest intake yet. By reducing recruitment costs, we redirected valuable funds toward student resources and staff development, while also reclaiming countless hours previously spent on hiring.
The process has felt less like working with ‘recruiters’ and more like working with like-minded educators and former headteachers, who understand the challenges schools face and genuinely care about getting it right. They have a community of almost half a million teachers and leaders and seem truly committed to serving the international education community.
A human and affordable approach
Education isn’t about systems or profits; it’s about people. Teacher Horizons provides an ethical, efficient and affordable service that prioritises relationships and recognises the value of a personalised, human service that you can trust.
I share this experience because I believe other school leaders can benefit from an approach that prioritises quality, affordability, and efficiency in recruitment.
If any of this resonates with you, I recommend arranging a chat with Laura. If you’re looking for a recruitment approach that saves time, money, and stress while ensuring the best fit for your school, I highly recommend reaching out to Teacher Horizons. I’m happy to share more about our experience – feel free to contact me.
Yasir Patel was born in Blackburn, UK, and studied Mathematics at the University of Manchester before completing his PGCE in Secondary Mathematics Education. After two years of teaching in Bolton, he began his international career, holding leadership roles in Mexico, India, and Venezuela. At just 32, he became Headteacher of The British School Caracas, where he led the school through two successful British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspections amid political instability, served on the LAHC Board, and completed an MSc in Educational Leadership.
Currently, Yasir is Principal at St. Constantine’s International School (SCIS) in Arusha, Tanzania. Under his leadership, SCIS achieved BSO, COBIS, AISA, and BSA accreditations in 2024. With professional experience across every continent, he also advises AIELOC in a voluntary capacity. Outside of work, Yasir enjoys spending time with his family, reading and writing about education, and playing football, cricket, squash, and chess.