TRIALS of an app set to transform the recruitment and retention of teachers have been successful, according to an education-focused recruitment company.

Premier Teachers, which is developing an innovative app set to transform the recruitment and retention of teachers, says it has received a positive reaction during recent trials.

The Sunderland-based specialist education recruitment company - named Most Innovative Specialist Recruitment Company (North East) in the 2020 UK Enterprise Awards - is set to launch the Evolve Teachers app this summer, first in the North-East and London and then across the country.

The system streamlines the whole hiring process through one-click applications, using a single form for multiple posts and via a device.

It also provides a searchable database of applicants that matches a school's criteria, speeding up recruitment and reducing costs.

The Premier Teachers, founded by experienced teacher Mike Donnelly in 2013, app will also use push notification to inform users and allows applicants to see their application’s progress, indicating reference take up and interview selection.

Mr Donnelly said: “Evolve Teachers is designed to completely shake-up teacher recruitment, but even I was surprised by the feedback from our groups of student teachers, who all wanted the ability to research and apply for jobs from their smart phones.

“All those who took part in the focus group recognised that the app streamlines what is currently a very time-consuming and complicated process, often requiring the filling in of separate application forms for each post.

“It will encourage more candidates to apply for more teaching jobs which in turn expands the talent pool, giving schools a better chance of finding the right candidate first time, increasing retention rates.

“I’m excited at the prospect of launching this disruptor which I believe will bring about a real evolution in teacher recruitment.”

As part of its London launch, the company will be promoting Evolve Teachers directly to 30,000 of the capital’s teachers as well as attending September’s Schools & Academies Show at ExCeL London, which is attended by more than 4,000 education leaders and decision makers.

Premier Teachers supplies teachers and support staff to schools throughout Teesside, County Durham, Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. From September it will provide a recruitment service to London-based schools and national schools.