Building a full-time, permanent team is no longer the default for organisations working in education.

Whether you’re developing an EdTech platform, launching a new qualification, writing curriculum resources or a charity delivering a funded programme in schools, there are moments when you need specialist educational expertise but not necessarily another permanent employee.

Instead, many organisations are building agile networks of experienced professionals who can contribute to a project, solve a specific problem or provide valuable insight exactly when it’s needed.

For organisations working with schools, teachers are one of the most underutilised talent pools available.

The Challenge Isn’t Finding Teachers, It’s Finding the Right Ones

If your organisation has ever advertised for a curriculum writer, educational consultant, subject matter expert or teacher reviewer, you’ll know that attracting the right candidates isn’t always straightforward.

General job boards cast a wide net, but they rarely reach teachers actively looking for flexible opportunities beyond the classroom.

At Those Who Can, our audience is different.

Every month, thousands of teachers, school leaders, supply teachers, tutors and former educators visit our platform to explore career opportunities that make use of their skills in new ways. Many aren’t looking for another permanent teaching role, they’re looking to apply their expertise to meaningful projects.

Why Teachers Add More Value Than You Might Think

When organisations recruit teachers, they’re not simply hiring someone who understands the curriculum.

They’re gaining professionals who spend every day communicating complex ideas, managing competing priorities, analysing evidence, influencing stakeholders and solving problems under pressure.

Just as importantly, teachers understand how schools actually work.

They know how decisions are made, what challenges schools face, what educators genuinely need and how new products, services and initiatives are received in real classrooms.

For an EdTech company, publisher or education charity, that insight can eliminate months of costly market research, reduce product development risk and help ensure that resources genuinely meet the needs of schools.

Flexible Expertise is Becoming the Norm

Across many industries, organisations increasingly bring in experienced professionals for a defined piece of work rather than employing them full-time.

Often referred to as fractional working, this approach allows businesses to access specialist expertise exactly when it’s needed while remaining agile and cost-effective.

Education is beginning to follow the same pattern.

At the same time, more teachers are choosing to build portfolio careers, combining classroom teaching with consultancy, tutoring, writing, project work or advisory roles. Others have left teaching altogether but still want to use their educational expertise to make a difference.

This growing workforce gives organisations access to experienced professionals who are actively seeking flexible, meaningful opportunities.

It’s a trend reflected across the sector, with organisations such as Flexible Teacher Talent championing flexible careers in education, while the Department for Education has made moves to support schools with flexible working systems through its Flexible Working Ambassador Programme.

Where Teachers Can Add Immediate Value

Not every requirement justifies recruiting another permanent employee. Sometimes the right specialist can deliver far greater impact in a fraction of the time.

Project Type	How Teachers Add Value	Business Benefit
Product Development & AI	User testing, focus groups, AI training, classroom validation	Build products that genuinely work in schools before launch.
Content & Curriculum	Curriculum writing, assessment development, technical review, educational copy	Ensure resources are accurate, engaging and aligned with current practice.
Research & Insight	Surveys, advisory boards, policy consultation, market research	Gain authentic classroom perspectives that strengthen decision making.
Partnerships & Delivery	Teacher training, webinars, workshops, school engagement	Build trust with schools through professionals who understand their world.
Strategic Projects	Consultancy, quality assurance, project support	Access specialist expertise without the commitment of a permanent hire.

For many organisations, these opportunities represent a smarter, faster and more cost-effective way of accessing educational expertise.

Organisations We’ve Worked With

Organisations at the vanguard of these changes who have recently used Those Who Can include;

Brainscape 

Century 

Children’s Literacy Charity 

NE 

The common thread is simple: they needed people who genuinely understand education.

Why Organisations Choose Those Who Can

Unlike general recruitment platforms, Those Who Can exists specifically to connect organisations with professionals who have educational expertise.

Our community includes:

• Teachers exploring opportunities beyond the classroom.
• School leaders looking to diversify their careers.
• Supply teachers seeking flexible work.
• Former teachers with experience across education, business and consultancy.
• Tutors, trainers and education specialists.

Because our audience already has an interest in career development and flexible opportunities, organisations are able to reach highly relevant candidates rather than advertising to a broad, untargeted audience.

Looking for Specialist Educational Expertise?

Whether you need someone to review a new product, write curriculum content, support a research project, deliver teacher training or provide strategic educational advice, there’s a good chance the expertise already exists within our community.

If your organisation is looking to engage experienced educators for consultancy, project-based work, ad hoc opportunities or permanent roles, then get in touch as we’d love to help.