Teach First is an independent charity founded to encourage graduates, who would not normally enter teaching, to teach for at least two years in challenging secondary schools in London, North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands. The scheme aims to develop future leaders.
Teach First aims to address educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields.
Application Requirements
[Edit]The minimum requirements for graduate candidates for Teach First are:
- 2.1 degree or above
- 300 UCAS points (or equivalent, excluding General Studies)
- Degree and/or A level grade A or B (or equivalent) in a subject that is aligned to a National Curriculum subject
- Grade C (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths and English
- Flexibility to work anywhere within East Midlands, London, North West, West Midlands and Yorkshire
Teach First are not able to accept applications from international candidates requiring work permits.
Selection for Teach First is then based entirely on candidates' ability to demonstrate a high degree of proficiency in the following competencies and qualities:
- Humility, Respect and Empathy
- Interaction
- Knowledge (teaching subject and the programme)
- Leadership
- Planning and Organising
- Problem solving
- Resilience
- Self-evaluation
Interview and Assessment Process
[Edit]Teach First runs assessment days which have been developed with the scheme's employer partners and education specialists to select graduates. The selection criteria are rigorous, and ensure that Teach First participants have the energy, commitment and ability to communicate required to succeed in secondary classrooms, as well as the potential to become outstanding leaders in any field.
The Teach First interview and assessment process consists of:
- Online application
- Assessment centre
Assessment Centre
[Edit]If you are successful at the initial assessment stage you will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre. These will run from approximately10am to 4pm and will be based in the London office of Teach First. Each assessment day will consist of the following elements, not necessarily in this order:
- Sample teaching lesson and debrief
- Case study and debrief
- Competency based interview
Sample teaching lesson & debrief
[Edit]You will be asked to deliver a pre-prepared seven minute lesson on the National Curriculum subject chosen on your application form. The lesson should be aimed at an audience of Key Stage 3 (11-14yrs) pupils but will be delivered to one assessor and one teacher. The assessors will be looking for you to demonstrate your ability to communicate your chosen topic to pupils in an appropriate and creative manner. Once your lesson is over you will be asked to make a written evaluation of your performance. You will be sent all the relevant details needed for the sample teaching lesson one week prior to your Assessment Centre.
Case study and debrief
[Edit]This section is designed to test how you think, solve problems, express solutions and interact with other people. The exercise will last for 50 minutes at the end of which you will have the chance to evaluate your performance.
This exercise will end with a one-on-one debrief with an assessor, where you will be given the opportunity to evaluate the group and your performance during the lesson.
Competency based interview
[Edit]You will have a one-on-one competency based interview with one of the Teach First assessors to find out about how you have demonstrated the competencies for which Teach First are looking. The interview will last for approximately 30 minutes, at the end of which you will have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the programme or your application.
If you are successful at the Assessment Centre you will be invited to become Teach First participant, subject to successful completion of an on-line Subject Knowledge Audit which will be assessed by a qualified teacher trainer, security clearance through a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, reference checks, degree classification, selection validation and successfully completing the Summer Institute.
All candidate information received by Teach First will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Training
[Edit]Teach First, together with its education and leadership development training partners, aims to deliver high-quality accredited teacher training and recognised and respected leadership education. Training at Teach First is designed to be highly practical, for immediate application on the job and with a clear purpose. An external education training provider delivers the summer training for participants, with the aim of putting them on the path towards qualified teacher status. This training has a special focus on dealing with issues in challenging secondary school education. The leadership development course, delivered with the Tanaka Business School at Imperial College London and the Institute of Education.
Placement and support
[Edit]It can be tough working in challenging secondary schools. Teach First spends a lot of time ensuring that participants are placed in teams in each school, and that skills and interests are matched to the needs and environment of individual schools.
Further Information
[Edit]For further information on Teach First ask questions in the WikiJob forums.
