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Meet the Axcis Team - HR

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:03:05 Z

Behind the Scenes at Axcis: Meet Our HR and Training Director

At Axcis, we know that delivering high-quality SEND staffing support to schools starts behind the scenes. That’s why we’re pulling back the curtain with a new series that introduces some of the senior leaders shaping how we support our staff, consultants, and most importantly, your school.

Our clients often ask us how we maintain such a high level of consultancy quality and consistency. The answer? It starts with leadership, training, and HR processes that underpin every school placement we make, ensuring that the right people are supported to deliver the right outcomes for your setting.

In this Q&A, we speak with Sara Wills, our HR and Training Director, about her Axcis journey, the values driving her leadership, and the internal strategies that help us deliver on our promise to schools.

1. Tell us a little about your journey at Axcis – how did you get started, and what brought you into the world of SEND recruitment?

I had been in recruitment for 14 years before joining Axcis, so I was already familiar with the company through my work with schools. I joined in 2010 as a Senior Recruitment Consultant and immediately liked the way the consultants supported each other. It felt very different from what I was used to.

I quickly found myself learning new terminology and stepping into a world where what we do genuinely matters. The idea that a child could benefit from the right candidate placement really resonated with me. Visiting schools gave me a much better understanding of their needs and introduced me to tools like Makaton and PECS; things I’d never encountered before in recruitment.

On a personal note, I have friends who are parents of children with SEND, and I’ve seen their struggles. It’s so important that children with SEND are given the same opportunities as anyone else to succeed in life.

2. What does your role as HR and Training Director involve, and how does it help ensure schools receive high-quality service from Axcis?

My role covers two main areas: HR and training. On the HR side, I oversee internal staff processes, policies, and procedures. On the training side, I support both new and existing team members to help them thrive within those processes.

I’m deeply passionate about customer service, and I believe that if our consultants are well-trained and confident in their roles, they’re more capable of supporting the needs of our schools. Our training ensures that consultants really listen to their clients and work collaboratively with them to find effective, long-term solutions.

3. What do you believe makes Axcis different from other SEND recruitment agencies?

I’ve asked clients this question many times, and the feedback is almost always the same: Axcis stands out because of the quality of our candidates and the commitment of our internal staff to get it right.

Our consultants have a deep understanding of SEND and know exactly what to look for in potential staff. Every Axcis branch has ex-educational professionals on hand to provide insight, which strengthens our service even more. Many of our school partners have worked with us for years because they trust our values, our experience, and our commitment to delivering high-quality, specialist support.

4. How does Axcis support its consultants to ensure they give their best to schools, pupils, and candidates?

Axcis provides a robust training programme for both new and existing staff. This includes everything from understanding systems and policies to in-depth training on compliance and SEND.

We bring in internal and external trainers depending on the content, and we actively encourage the sharing of best practices across the company. In addition, our candidates have access to a wide range of CPD training opportunities to help support their own professional development.

5. Where do you see the biggest opportunities or challenges for SEND recruitment in 2026 and beyond?

The growing awareness of SEND both in schools and in wider society is hugely positive. I’ve seen a lot of changes since I started in recruitment, and while we’ve come a long way, there’s still more to do.

We need to stay focused on continuous improvement so that we can keep driving better outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

6. Tell us something that people might not know about you?

I love singing out loud even though I’m completely out of tune! But don’t worry, I only do it at home!

What to Expect From Axcis

We’ll be continuing this series in future newsletters and blogs, featuring more members of the Axcis senior leadership team. It’s all part of our commitment to transparency, integrity, and continuous improvement because we know that the right people behind the scenes make all the difference in the classroom.

Interested in working with Axcis?

Whether you’re a school or alternative provision in need of specialist staffing or an education professional looking for a new opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 Fill in this form or reach out to your Axcis consultant

Disclaimer:

The information contained in this blog is intended for general interest and background only. Any opinions expressed reflect the views of the contributor at the time of publishing and may not represent the views of Axcis Education Recruitment or its partner organisations. Please note that staff roles, locations and responsibilities may evolve over time.

Axcis Candidate of the Term Awards

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:59:18 +0100

Celebrating the Best in SEND Teaching and Support Staff

Did You Know Axcis Celebrates a Candidate of the Term?

At Axcis, we believe that outstanding work deserves to be recognised, and that’s why, every term, we shine a spotlight on the exceptional teaching and support staff working in schools and alternative provisions across the country through our Candidate of the Term programme.

Whether it's a teaching assistant who goes above and beyond to support a child with complex needs or a teacher who consistently brings positivity, patience, and professionalism into the classroom, these individuals are the heartbeat of what we do, and we want to celebrate them.

How Does It Work?

Every academic term, Axcis encourages schools, alternative provisions like PRUs (Pupil Referral Units), and other specialist educational settings to submit nominations for any Axcis candidate who has made a meaningful impact in their setting.

We ask consultants to reach out to their school partners to gather feedback and encourage them to submit nominations. This could be:

A note of thanks from a school leader
A story about a candidate going above and beyond
A general acknowledgement of outstanding service

These nominations are collected and reviewed by the Axcis team, and from there, winners are selected for each region.

🎉 Winners receive a gift voucher and a certificate as a small token of our appreciation.

✨ Nominees receive a certificate to acknowledge their contribution and commitment for going the extra mile.

Why We Do It

The Candidate of the Term programme is more than just a gesture; it's a celebration of dedication, passion, and perseverance. Our candidates work in some of the most challenging yet rewarding environments in education, including with pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, or those excluded from mainstream education.

Recognising their impact helps build confidence, boosts morale, and reinforces what we already know - that our candidates are truly making a difference.

Recognition at Every Level

Celebrating excellence isn’t new to Axcis. In fact, we’ve been supporting recognition across the SEND sector for many years. We’re proud to have sponsored the nasen Awards since the event’s inception, an annual ceremony that honours individuals and organisations doing exceptional work to support children and young people with SEND.

Whether it’s celebrating nationwide achievements at the nasen Awards or recognising the day-to-day heroes through our Candidate of the Term awards, Axcis is committed to shining a light on the people making a real difference.

Help Us Celebrate More Axcis Stars 🌟

If you work with an Axcis candidate who deserves recognition, don’t keep it to yourself! Speak to your Axcis consultant about submitting a nomination or reach out directly to your local branch. You never know how much a simple “thank you” can mean to someone who gives their all, every single day.

Want to see some of our past winners?

Together, let’s continue to champion the incredible work being done in SEND education.

Win a Free Ticket to nasen LIVE 2025

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0100

Win a Free Ticket to nasen LIVE 2025 – Worth £109!

We’re thrilled to be once again sponsoring nasen LIVE – the must-attend annual event for professionals working in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Taking place on Friday 4th July 2025 at the Vox Conference Centre, Birmingham, nasen LIVE 2025 will focus on the theme: “Preparation for Life.”

This year’s agenda shines a spotlight on:

- How technology is empowering learners
- The positive impact of alternative provision

Real-life success stories from educators and young people alike.

Expect an inspiring day packed with practical insights, expert speakers, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals committed to inclusive education.

Axcis and nasen: A Proud Partnership

At Axcis, we’ve proudly supported nasen for over a decade, and our partnership has continued to go from strength to strength.

Through our sponsorship, we help nasen offer high-quality CPD, resources, and support to teachers, leaders, SENCOs and support staff working across the UK through platforms like Whole School SEND. This plays a vital role in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND by helping schools to embed inclusive practices at every level.

Whether it’s sponsoring key events like nasen LIVE, contributing to nasen Connect magazine, or championing inclusive recruitment through our own services, Axcis is committed to supporting the SEND community.

Enter to Win a Free Ticket – Worth £109!

To celebrate our ongoing partnership, we’re giving away a FREE ticket to nasen LIVE 2025 (normally priced at £109).

Click here to enter and be in with a chance to join us at this inspirational event.

Let’s keep working together to empower educators, uplift learners, and make SEND support stronger across every setting.

How Axcis Can Support You

Whether you're a school in need of dedicated SEND staff, or a teacher or SEND education support professional seeking your next role in a setting where you can truly make a difference – Axcis is here to help.

With over 20 years’ experience and a specialist focus on SEND, we take the time to understand your unique needs and match the right people with the right roles. From day-to-day supply to long-term and permanent placements, we’ve got you covered.

Scan the QR to get in touch with your local Axcis team today to find out how we can support your recruitment or career journey, or go to our Contacts page to find your closet Axcis team for direct support.

Together, we can create brighter futures for every learner.

This giveaway is exclusively for Axcis clients.

Entries close at 6pm on Friday, 30th May 2025.

For full details, view our giveaway terms and conditions here.