Athona Ltd has been awarded the Department for Education’s Quality Mark. A holder of the Quality Mark since 2009 demonstrates we have the highest standard of recruitment selection and vetting of supply teachers.

Athona offers services in education recruitment for nursery, early years and support, primary, secondary and further education across the Essex area.

The agency was founded in 2003 by Stewart London and has quickly gained a reputation for offering an excellent service to teachers, doctors and allied health professionals.

Athona’s Managing Director Stewart London said:

“I’m extremely proud and delighted that we have been awarded 100% compliance with the Quality Mark standards. It is recognition of our high standards of recruitment and vetting and gives us increased confidence to our schools that our standards are of the highest in the industry.”

Lizzie Grant, the Quality Mark Assessor, stated:

“This award acknowledges the dedication and professionalism that go into ensuring these stringent standards of compliance are met on a daily basis. In maintaining the standards, Athona are a credit to the reputation of the industry.”

Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, (REC) which manages the Quality Mark scheme, said:

“Athona is to be congratulated on reaching the optimum standard for recruiting supply teachers. This standard is becoming increasingly recognised within the industry as guaranteeing effective and ethical provision of supply teachers who are so crucial to the lifeblood of schools.”

Supply teachers make an increasingly important contribution to the smooth running of schools. At the same time, it is essential to ensure that the supply staff that are being placed within the schools are of the required standard and have been correctly vetted by the agency supplying them.

Within this context, the Government’s Quality Mark Scheme plays a crucial role by providing a recognisable quality threshold and by promoting high standards in the provision of supply teachers.

For further information, please contact Alison Henderson, REC Press Manager on 020 7009 2157 or Elizabeth Pyman from Athona on 01277 246899.