Gabbitas was established in 1873 by Mr Askin and Mr Gabbitas, as an agency for the recruitment of schoolmasters to English public schools. Still a leader in educational recruitment, Gabbitas today embraces a wealth of expertise on all aspects of education in the UK.
Our name comes from our founder, Mr John Rosewell Gabbitas, who ran the firm from the 1870s until his retirement in 1904. His co-partner for some years was Mr Charles Henry Meredith Thring, hence the name Gabbitas-Thring by which the firm was known until the mid 1980s. Our name was subsequently changed to Gabbitas Educational Consultants in 1993 to reflect the ever-increasing scope of our activities.
Historical Gabbitas clients
Among those seeking teaching posts through Gabbitas were many who were destined to become household names, including Evelyn Waugh, W H Auden, H G Wells, Sir Edward Elgar, Amy Johnson, and Sir John Betjeman. Gabbitas has been mentioned by writers and poets throughout the 20th century. The following words were penned by W H Auden in his poem "A Letter to Lord Byron", first published in 1937:
"The only thing you never turned your hand to
Was teaching at a boarding school.
Today it's a profession that seems grand to
Those whose alternative's an office stool;
To many an unknown genius postmen bring
Typed notices from Rabbitarse and String."
The colourful history of Gabbitas has been the subject of national press features as well as a BBC Radio 4 documentary.
Our unusual name, known to generations of parents, teachers and tutors, has been the subject of any number of accidental variations, as illustrated in our archive file marked "Strange Envelopes". Bizarre as some of these are, they still reached the Gabbitas offices at 6 Sackville Street, London, our home for over 100 years before our move to Regent Street in 1995. Some of the more notable examples include:
Grabbitas-Thringet; Taffitas-Thing; Gaddicas-Ison, Yobbitis-Thring; Mabbitas Thoring; Gabbiters Spring; Gaddi Talthring; Gobbitas-Thorny; Gibraltar-Tring, The Gabbitas Hiring Company Ltd.; G.A.B.I.T.A.L. Trought.......and even....... Gabitass Thrilling (Fixfacville Street)
By 1923, when Gabbitas celebrated the 50th anniversary of the firm's foundation, over 120,000 vacancies had been negotiated and no less than 50,000 parents had sought advice.
Soon after the half-century celebrations, records show that Gabbitas published its first reference book for parents seeking independent schools – this was simply entitled ‘Schools’. Year on year since 1924, Gabbitas has brought out a definitive independent schools guidebook. Gabbitas is still publishing school reference books, with The Independent School Guide and Schools For Special Needs being released annually.
Gabbitas remains one of the most respected educational consultants in independent education. Not only do we offer consultancy advice to parents looking for a suitable school or college for their child, but we also offer a comprehensive range of other services:
- Recruitment services for schools and teachers
- School management and consultancy services
- Tutors (residential or home tutors)
- Guardianship services
- Interview techniques and practice
- Educational assessments
- Higher Education Advice and Careers Guidance
Prospects
In 2008, Gabbitas was acquired by the Prospects group, a £55 million turnover company, specialising in education, events, recruitment and advice. This recent purchase has given Gabbitas the opportunity to expand and grow its business and will help to retain our status in the independent sector.