TP Talent - Meet Thomas
Get to know Thomas Grindrod, 24, from Leyland, Lancashire, and find out more about his role in our Liverpool Primary team.
Tell us about your role at Teaching Personnel
As a Recruitment Consultant, I partner with schools and educators to deliver tailored staffing solutions that support outstanding pupil outcomes. My role blends client management, educator recruitment, relationship building, sales, and problem-solving to ensure every placement meets the unique needs of each school.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are ever the same, but I like to keep a bit of structure in my week. I usually start by dealing with any urgent calls: covering sickness and arranging last-minute staffing so schools aren’t left in the lurch. Once that’s sorted, I move on to speaking with new applicants, posting adverts, and getting our marketing out there. Mid-morning is my favourite part: checking in with schools, having a chat, and letting them know about the brilliant educators we have available. Afternoons are all about recruitment, interviews, discussing upcoming roles, and making sure we’ve got the right people ready for when schools need them. It’s busy, but that’s what makes it rewarding!
Which office are you based in, and how long have you been with TP?
I’m based in the Preston office and work within the Liverpool Primary Branch. I started at TP in June 2025.
What brought you into education recruitment?
Having a twin brother with Autism and a stutter, and a younger brother with Asperger’s Syndrome, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges they faced throughout their education. The right support from teachers and teaching assistants made a huge difference to their journey, and without it, things could have been much harder. This personal experience drives my passion to help schools find the best educators for each role and, most importantly, for the children they’ll be supporting. My goal is to ensure every pupil has access to the right people who can make their educational experience as positive and successful as possible.
What were you doing before joining TP?
I have worked in recruitment since 2021, but in the construction industry for an agency called LinkIt Recruitment (LRL), based in Hindley Green, Wigan.
Have you taken on new responsibilities or progressed since joining?
Since joining TP, I’ve made significant progress in my role. Starting with a completely cold area, I grew my desk to a peak of 66 days in November. Along the way, I’ve strengthened my sector knowledge and learned how to manage a busy desk while ensuring both schools and educators are fully supported. I really enjoy the responsibility of running my own desk and building strong relationships with schools that haven’t previously worked with TP, it’s rewarding to see that growth and impact.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
I’m proud to have won the TP Spirit Award for my region, just after passing my probation, and achieved the highest growth on my desk last year. These accomplishments reflect how much I genuinely enjoy my job, working alongside great colleagues and building relationships with our amazing clients and candidates. Staying positive and motivated, even during stressful times, is something I value, and I hope that energy inspires those around me.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Building relationships with both educators and schools is one of the best parts of my role. I love meeting new people and getting to know them, so being able to do that every day is a real bonus. The most rewarding part is when I can bring the two together and create the perfect placement, it’s a great feeling knowing I’ve helped make a positive impact for both the school and the educator.
What’s the biggest challenge you face, and how do you approach it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is prioritising tasks and managing my time effectively. Being relatively new to TP, it can feel like spinning a lot of plates - handling last-minute bookings, filling long-term vacancies, and conducting interviews all at once. It can be taxing, but I’ve learned to lean on the wealth of experience within my branch and the wider Lancashire region. By asking for advice, delegating where possible, and organising tasks based on urgency and impact, I’ve developed a more structured approach that helps me stay on top of everything.
What do your school partners appreciate most about working with TP?
I believe what sets us apart is the reliability, transparency, and communication we provide to our schools. While the calibre of our candidates is exceptional, it’s the genuine relationships we build beyond business that make the biggest difference. We’re always honest and open with everyone, which creates trust and long-term partnerships.
What helps you keep good relationships with the clients you work with?
For me, the key to maintaining strong client relationships is honesty and openness. Schools need to feel they can trust us, and that starts with clear communication. I enjoy getting to know the people I work with, understanding what matters to them and finding common ground. Regular updates on their educators, vacancies, and new candidates help keep everything transparent, which builds confidence and long-term trust.
What motivates you in your work?
What motivates me most is receiving positive feedback on the placements I make. My goal is always to match educators with roles that suit them and meet the needs of the children they’ll be supporting. When I hear that both the school and the educator are happy, it’s an amazing feeling, and that’s what drives me to keep working hard for my clients and candidates.
Do you have any goals for the year ahead?
My main goal for the year ahead is to recruit more exceptional teachers and support staff. By doing this, I can give schools a wider choice of high-quality candidates and help ensure pupils receive the best possible education. Achieving this will also support my personal career goal; to earn my first promotion within Teaching Personnel. I’m committed to developing my skills, gaining more experience, and working my way up the career ladder. Ultimately, I want to reach a point where I can share my knowledge and help my colleagues succeed too.
Quick-fire: Summer or Winter?
This might be controversial, but I love winter. There is nothing better than going home, getting your cosy/fluffy PJs on with a hot chocolate and watching a good chick flick. You cant beat a bit of Bridgett Jones. I might not seem to be the person would do that, but that’s me!
--
Are you an educator looking for jobs in Liverpool or a school in the area that's hiring, then get in touch with us today.
Interested in joining Teaching Personnel? Check out our latest vacancies.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Stockport
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
SEMH
Location
Stockport
Description
Graduate Teachers – September Roles in SEMHEast Manchester | Start Your Career the Right Way Graduating this summer? Want to secure a September role now?Kickstart your teaching career in a rewarding
Reference
27SEMHTPTEACH2
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Stockport
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Stockport
Description
Experienced Primary Teachers – SEMH Roles | September 2026East Manchester | Specialist Provisions & Alternative SettingsAre you an experienced Primary Teacher with a background in SEMH or specialist
Reference
27SEMHPRITEACHTP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£168.80 - 261.78 per day
Location free text
Durham
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Maths
Location
Durham
Description
Maths Teacher – Durham Secondary SchoolASAP start, full-time, competitive salary (MPS/UPS).I'm recruiting a Maths Teacher for a Durham secondary school and they need someone to start as soon as possib
Reference
IJMAD2026
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
Market related
Location free text
Durham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Durham
Description
Qualified Teaching Assistant – Durham Secondary SchoolsLevel 3 preferred, competitive daily rates.I'm recruiting qualified Teaching Assistants for secondary schools across Durham. If you've got a Leve
Reference
IJTA3D
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£92.63 - 92.63 per day
Location free text
Carmarthen
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
Less than £500 per week
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Carmarthenshire
Description
Behaviour Support Practitioner – Behaviour Unit Via Teaching Personnel | Full-Time & Part-Time OpportunitiesTeaching Personnel are proud to be working in partnership with a specialist behaviour u
Reference
ALW79.
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Swansea Secondary & SENAuthor
Swansea Secondary & SENSalary
Pay to Scale
Location free text
King's Lynn
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Primary
Location
Kings Lynn
Description
Primary Teacher (Mainstream) King’s Lynn Supply TeachingKeywords Primary Teacher KS1 KS2 QTS Mainstream EducationThis opportunity is based within a range of mainstream primary schools in King’s Lynn,
Reference
King's Lynn- Pri Tea
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
Functional Skills Tutor – NG9 (Nottingham) Are you passionate about helping learners develop essential life and academic skills? We’re looking for a dedicated Functional Skills Tutor to support stude
Reference
FunctNG9-CC-1/05
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Chesterfield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Chesterfield
Description
Maths Tutor – S44 (Chesterfield) | Are you passionate about Maths and making a real difference in a young person’s life? We’re looking for a dedicated Maths Tutor to support students in the S44 (Che
Reference
Maths-S44-1/05
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
Pay to scale
Location free text
King's Lynn
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Special Needs
Location
Kings Lynn
Description
SEN Support Worker King’s Lynn Supply TeachingKeywords Primary SEN Support Learning Support AssistantThis opportunity spans a range of primary mainstream and specialist settings in King’s Lynn, inclu
Reference
King's Lynn- TA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£32,916 - 46,000 per year
Location free text
Shepton Mallet
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
Sector
Teacher
Location
Somerset
Description
SEN Teacher (QTS) Shepton Mallet, Somerset | Flexible (Full-Time or Part-Time) | Immediate Start About the Setting This welcoming and ambitious specialist provision supports children and young pe
Reference
HK933
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENRelated posts
Teaser
Awareness DaysContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
National Teaching Assistants’ Day is a chance to recognise the incredible impact teaching assistants have in classrooms every day. From supporting individual pupils to hel
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Hi, my name is Emilia and I’ve been working as a Recruitment Consultant for secondary schools across Central and South Bristol at Teaching Personnel for almost a year. During my time in the role
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Alex, a Consultant in our Birmingham Primary branch shares how our recent Paediatric First Aid Course went and its importance for primary school educators. Having met with schools and prioritisin
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Understanding the DfE's visions for inclusive education: What schools need to knowEvery Child Achieving and Thriving is the new white paper from the Department for Education (DfE). The document s
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Nell Whitfield is a Teaching Assistant working with our Manchester branch, currently supporting pupils in a SEND school. With a hands-on approach and a real passion for helping childre
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Nicole Totterdell, MAT Account Manager at Teaching Personnel is taking on the incredible challenge of a skydive in February to raise money for Father Hudson’s Caritas.
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Exam season offers a valuable opportunity if you’re looking for flexible, meaningful work within schools. Exam invigilating is a vital role that supports students during key assessment periods, an
Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
Ofsted’s new inspection changes mark a shift in how UK schools are evaluated. Routine inspections will start from 1 December 2025. Between now and Christmas, Ofsted will prioritise state-funded sc
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD12YY
Summary
With the Christmas break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job