Key Takeaways
- The RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework is a government-backed procurement route managed by the Government Commercial Agency (formerly Crown Commercial Service), running from 30 April 2026 to 29 April 2029.
- RM6376 covers temporary, fixed-term and permanent teachers, education support staff and non-teaching roles for public sector education settings.
- Lot 1 allows schools to appoint individual teachers and support staff directly with accredited recruitment agencies via simple call-off contracts.
- From September 2026, single and multi-academy trusts are required to procure supply staff through the RM6376 framework, as outlined in the 2026 Academy Trusts Handbook.
- Impact Teachers is appointed to Lot 1 and can support London and Greater London schools with compliant, vetted staffing across primary, secondary and SEN.
What Is the RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment Framework?
The RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework is the UK government’s central education recruitment framework for supply teachers and education recruitment. Managed by the Government Commercial Agency (formerly Crown Commercial Service), this framework agreement runs from 30 April 2026 to 29 April 2029, with potential extension subject to government decision.
Launched in May 2026, the RM6376 framework aims to standardise quality and transparency across the £1.4 billion annual spend on supply staffing. It replaces the earlier STaTS framework (RM6238) and aligns with the Procurement Act 2023 and the DfE’s “maximising value for pupils” programme.
The RM6376 framework allows schools and educational establishments to recruit a wide range of roles, including:
- Classroom teachers and subject specialists
- Teaching assistants, cover supervisors and pastoral roles
- SEN teachers and SEN teaching assistants
- Educational support staff such as admin, HR, finance, IT and site teams
- Senior leaders and non-teaching staff
RM6376 is a closed list of approved recruitment suppliers who have passed checks on financial standing, safeguarding, information security and pricing transparency. For official guidance, visit the Government Commercial Agency RM6376 page.
Who Can Use RM6376 – And Who Cannot?
The framework is designed to support public sector education institutions, including maintained schools, academies, nurseries, colleges, and universities, in fulfilling their staffing needs.
Eligible users include:
- Maintained schools and local authority schools in England and Wales
- Single and multi-academy trusts (MATs)
- Nurseries, early years settings and children’s centres in the public sector
- Further education colleges and universities
- Local authorities, hospitals, prisons and central government with education functions
- Other public sector organisations and public sector buying organisations such as the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation and Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation
Independent (for-profit) schools cannot use this framework agreement based on current Government Commercial Agency guidance.
From September 2026, single and multi-academy trusts are required to procure supply staff through the RM6376 framework, as outlined in the 2026 Academy Trusts Handbook, unless they have an alternative compliant arrangement. Local authority schools are strongly encouraged to use RM6376 as a best-practice route for agency supply staff.
Schools should check their own funding agreement, Academy Trust Handbook and local procurement rules for specific obligations.
What RM6376 Covers: Roles, Scope and Lots
The RM6376 education recruitment framework is structured into Lots with broad scope across teaching and non-teaching roles. The framework covers:
- Daily and long-term supply teaching
- Fixed-term contracts (for example, one or two-term maternity cover)
- Permanent education recruitment for teaching and non-teaching roles
Roles available under the RM6376 framework include primary, secondary, and special educational needs (SEN) specialists, teaching assistants, cover supervisors, and administrative support staff.
Looking for Teaching or Support Roles in London?
Apply once with Impact Teachers and be considered for Primary, Secondary and SEN roles — including Teaching Assistant (TA), LSA, HLTA and SEN Teaching Assistant Jobs positions.
Explore Roles by Location: London Jobs | Wandsworth | Greenwich | Hackney
Understanding the Lot Structure
Lot | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Lot 1 | Appoint single workers or small groups directly with a recruitment agency for temporary, fixed-term or permanent workers directly | Individual schools, smaller MATs |
Lot 2 | Appoint a managed service provider (MSP) to oversee supply staff needs using a supply chain of other agencies | Larger trusts needing centralised management |
Most individual schools and smaller multi-academy trusts will work mainly through Lot 1, while some larger trusts may explore Lot 2 managed service arrangements. |
The framework introduces maximum daily supplier fee rates across all role categories, specifically targeting agency mark-up to provide better value for schools without affecting the pay and conditions of supply workers.
How Lot 1 Works for Schools Needing Teaching or Support Staff
Lot 1 is the most commonly used part of the RM6376 supply teachers framework for schools wanting to work directly with specialist education recruitment agencies. The RM6376 framework allows schools to engage directly with approved recruitment agencies for staffing needs, simplifying the hiring process.
Under the RM6376 framework, schools can appoint a preferred agency without running a full mini-competition, which reduces administrative burdens and speeds up the hiring process.
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify your staffing need (role type, start date, duration, budget)
- Access the agency selection tool via DfE sign-in to search for Lot 1 agencies by role and distance
- Review indicative rates, service information and quality factors
- Select one or more preferred approved recruitment agencies
- Complete the signed order form under RM6376
- Start booking supply staff and reviewing performance
Schools can work with more than one Lot 1 supplier for resilience across hard-to-fill roles, short-notice cover or specialist SEN provision. The new framework allows schools to hire supply staff permanently after 12 weeks at no extra cost, emphasizing the absence of additional transfer fees and providing significant cost savings for schools moving a temporary worker to a permanent role.
Processes may vary by MAT or local authority—buyers should follow internal procurement routes.
Why RM6376 Matters for Compliance, Safeguarding and Better Value
RM6376 is designed to support safe recruitment, clear audit trails and better value for pupils’ education budgets.
Safeguarding Requirements
All suppliers on the RM6376 framework are required to vet workers in accordance with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) standards, which include enhanced DBS checks, barred list verification, right to work checks, references, and qualification verification. Records must align with what schools need for their single central record.
Data Security and Compliance
The RM6376 framework mandates that suppliers demonstrate compliance with the Cyber Essentials scheme for cybersecurity and have protocols in place that align with the Government Security Classifications Scheme for handling sensitive data.
Transparent Pricing and Value
The RM6376 framework introduces a cap on agency supplier fees, specifically targeting agency mark-up, which aims to provide better value for schools without affecting the pay and conditions of supply workers.
Key value features include:
- Maximum daily rate caps controlling agency fees
- The framework requires that all suppliers maintain transparent pricing structures, breaking down costs to show daily rates, worker pay, and agency margins
- Under the RM6376 framework, schools will receive transparent charge breakdowns that detail daily rates, worker pay, and agency margins, addressing previous concerns about hidden costs
- 12-week temporary-to-permanent conversion without additional transfer fees
These features support the DfE’s programme ensuring spend on agency supply staff is visible and defensible to governors, auditors and trust boards.
How Schools Can Find and Work with Accredited Suppliers
RM6376 provides a national list of accredited education recruitment suppliers. Schools can use an agency selection tool to identify suitable approved suppliers based on specific staffing needs, streamlining the hiring process.
Finding Suppliers
- Access the agency selection tool using DfE sign-in
- Filter by region, distance and role type (for example, primary teacher, secondary maths, SEN TA)
- Review supplier profiles, indicative mark-ups and framework notes
Once you identify a suitable agency:
- Contact directly to discuss requirements and availability
- Request sample rate cards and example CVs
- Proceed via direct award or run a mini-competition
Consider geographic coverage, phase expertise (primary, secondary, SEN), response times for daily cover, and approach to safeguarding when selecting approved recruitment suppliers.
MATs may wish to align framework use with trust-wide workforce planning, reviewing any existing contract against RM6376 caps at renewal points.
How Impact Teachers Supports Schools Through RM6376 Lot 1
Impact Teachers is a London-based teacher recruitment agency appointed to Lot 1 under RM6376, supporting schools across London and Greater London.
Services Under RM6376
- Daily and short-term supply cover for primary, secondary and SEN
- Long-term and fixed-term contracts including maternity cover
- Permanent staffing for classroom teachers and selected support staff roles
Key Strengths
- Experienced in working with MATs and individual schools on compliant call-off agreements
- Robust safeguarding aligned with KCSIE and RM6376 requirements
- Transparent pay structures showing worker pay and agency fees clearly
Impact Teachers can support a MAT needing new supply teachers across a cluster of London primary schools, a secondary school requiring specialist maths or science teachers for a full academic year, or an SEN setting needing experienced SEN teachers and teaching assistants on both supply and permanent contracts.
Read more about Impact Teachers’ RM6376 Lot 1 appointment and how our purpose-driven teacher recruitment agency supports schools and educators across the UK.
Supporting Schools Across London and Greater London
Impact Teachers focuses on supporting schools across inner and outer London boroughs including Wandsworth, Greenwich, Hackney, Barnet and Croydon, offering a broad range of teaching jobs in London for primary, secondary and SEN educators.
We support:
- Mainstream primary schools across London
- Secondary schools including academies and free schools
- Special schools, alternative provision and resource bases needing SEN teachers, SEN teaching assistants and other special needs education roles in Greater London
Impact Teachers also works with overseas-trained teachers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa, supporting visas, relocation and induction within UK immigration rules, and guiding candidates through top teaching posts in London across a variety of phases and settings.
Schools benefit from a single contact point for bookings across multiple London sites, local market knowledge on pay expectations, and support planning for peak pressure points like September and January starts.
Contact us via our dedicated Impact Teachers enquiries page to discuss London coverage or specific borough needs under RM6376 Lot 1.
A Note for Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Support Staff
This article is primarily for schools and MATs, but candidates should know that RM6376 sets expectations around transparent pay and safeguarding without changing how you register with Impact Teachers.
Teachers, teaching assistants, cover supervisors and SEN staff interested in London roles can:
- Register via our London jobs page
- Explore primary, secondary and SEN-focused job pages
Being placed via the RM6376 supply teachers framework means clear pay structures, full safeguarding checks, and opportunities for both supply and permanent role progression. Discuss pay rates, travel and preferred year groups with your consultant before accepting bookings.
Looking for Teaching or Support Roles in London?
Apply once with Impact Teachers and be considered for Primary, Secondary and SEN roles — including Teaching Assistant (TA), LSA, HLTA and SEN Teaching Assistant Jobs positions.
Explore Roles by Location: London Jobs | Wandsworth | Greenwich | Hackney
FAQs About Using the RM6376 Supply Teachers Framework
Is my academy trust required to use RM6376 for agency supply staff?
Current policy expects single and multi-academy trusts in England to use the RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework from September 2026, or demonstrate an alternative compliant arrangement. Check the latest Academy Trust Handbook and Government Commercial Agency guidance for up-to-date obligations. This article is informational only—consult your own advisers where needed.
Does using RM6376 change what we pay our supply teachers and support staff?
RM6376 introduces maximum daily supplier fee caps limiting the agency mark-up, but does not set or reduce worker pay rates. Schools still agree worker pay within local norms and budget constraints. The framework’s focus is transparency of the agency fee element.
Can we move existing off-framework arrangements onto RM6376?
Schools don’t need to break existing contracts early but should review them at renewal points. Compare current agency mark-ups with RM6376 caps, transparency requirements and 12-week free temporary-to-permanent provisions. Impact Teachers can work with schools to plan phased transitions.
What is the agency selection tool and do we have to use it?
The agency selection tool is an online government system letting schools search for approved RM6376 suppliers by distance, role type and other filters. In England, users access it with DfE sign-in. Using the tool helps evidence fair, transparent selection even when making a direct award.
How quickly can we start booking staff through RM6376 with Impact Teachers?
Once you’ve identified Impact Teachers via the agency selection tool and completed the relevant RM6376 order form, bookings can usually start quickly. Actual lead times depend on internal approvals and safeguarding check alignment. Contact Impact Teachers early, especially ahead of September and January, to ensure a smooth start.
