One inspiring weekend in London brought together 127 enthusiastic teaching candidates and recruiters from 34 international schools at the Hilton Paddington Hotel. The Search London March Fair, hosted by Senior Associates Dominic Currer and Peter Smyth, along with their partners Adrienne Currer and Janelle Smyth, provided nearly 200 exceptional opportunities for educators seeking positions in international schools worldwide. Over the course of two dynamic days, more than 200 interviews took place, leading to countless meaningful connections and career-changing moments. Reflecting on his first experience at the London March Fair, Daniel Pearse, Head of Secondary at Baku Modern Educational Complex, Azerbaijan, shared:
I can’t emphasize enough how good this fair has been…. We get inundated with applications so having the time here to meet with people face to face and to really understand them and their teaching philosophy has been a really rewarding experience. If I were a candidate again, I would definitely come to this fair!
The London March Fair, on the 15th and 16th this year, plays a crucial role in the international school community. Taking place later in the recruitment season, it allows school representatives to fill unexpected vacancies and engage with a diverse pool of talented educators. The fair’s schedule, running over the weekend, enables teachers to attend without taking time off work. Its welcoming and intimate setting makes it an excellent choice for first-time attendees seeking an exciting yet approachable recruitment experience. Candidates Dion and Christina highlighted the benefits of in-person engagement:
(When you apply online) you spend an hour and a half on it, then you send it off and you hear nothing back. I’ve come to the fair and I’ve already had two offers and that was from a 10 to 15-minute conversation….
This is the first time I have been to a job fair and I’ve loved meeting all the different schools from around the world …. It was really nice to network with schools, meet different teachers and just enjoy this experience.
Guidance and mentorship were integral to the weekend, Along with the Smyths (pictured left) and Currers (pictured right), Search Associates Bill and Alison Turner, Senior Consultant Jeremy Lewis, and Rebecca Steadman (at right in blue), Executive Assistant for the UK North & Ireland Office, offered invaluable support. Candidate Philippa expressed her gratitude:
I came into this weekend not expecting any interviews, and it’s been such a positive experience. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many different schools and I have had lots of interesting interviews and even some offers. It’s been such a great experience!
For over a decade, the Hilton Paddington in Central London has been the ideal venue for this event. Its direct train connection to Heathrow Airport makes travel convenient for both international and UK-based attendees. The hotel’s prime location offers easy access to London’s renowned theatres, shopping districts, and restaurants—perfect for unwinding after a full day of interviews. Outstanding service, seamless logistics, and thoughtful touches, such as a dedicated prayer room for Muslim participants, contribute to the fair’s warm and professional atmosphere. Dr. Tyler Sherwood, Head of School at Chatsworth International School, Singapore, praised the fair’s unique advantages:
The London Search Fair in March is an excellent fair each year. It is a smaller fair which gives schools and candidates ample opportunity for longer interviews, additional interactions, and time for candidates to make decisions. We never fail to hire great people at this fair.
The fair also featured three insightful career development presentations: Interview Tips for the Weekend by Bob Imholt, Aspiring and Current Leaders by Senior Associate Pete Smyth and Senior Consultant Jeremy Lewis, and a specialized workshop for Board members and Human Resources representatives led by Jeremy Lewis.
Summing up the London March experience, Karl Murphy, Principal of Cayman Prep & High School, Cayman Islands, shared:
The March London Recruitment Fair itself offers a congenial and professional environment in Paddington, which allows schools and candidates to engage meaningfully and thoughtfully, with opportunities for networking whilst recruiting. It provides opportunities to meet with a range of talented individuals from across the globe, many with passion for education and a commitment to student development…For any school seeking to attract highly skilled educators who might be a great fit for their community, the Search Associates London Recruitment Fair is an event I recommend.
To learn more about Search Associates job fairs held annually across the globe, click here
