Discover the Teach First Training Programme

Step into a future of possibility. Teach First is a charity that believes education is the most powerful tool to help a child fulfil their potential. We work with schools in the most deprived areas of the country, making sure no child is left behind. Join Teach First and discover a career that really matters. You’ll have new experiences every day. Develop skills that can take you anywhere. Grow in ways you never imagined. All while giving children facing the biggest barriers the opportunities they need to thrive. Join the UK's largest teacher training and leadership programme and you’ll get a salary from day one in the classroom, opportunities for quick progression, a fully funded internationally recognised leadership qualification worth over £10k, access to our 16,000-strong network of teachers, leaders and businesses, and much more.  This is your chance to make a difference for children experiencing poverty. With Teach First, you can open up a world of possibilities – for you, and for those you’ll be teaching. Be a leader. Be a teacher. 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, GRADUATES AND CAREER CHANGERS

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Sometimes all it takes is one teacher to change a child’s life. WELCOME TO TEACH FIRST We’re a charity that believes education is the most powerful tool to help a child fulfil their potential. Too many children are being denied the opportunities they need to thrive in school. They leave without the tools, confidence or knowledge they need to build a better future for themselves.

Because where you start in life shouldn’t determine where you end up.

YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES We’re looking for people like you - ambitious people who are ready to get stuck in. To learn as they go and to lead change where it matters most - the classroom. And in return, we’ll help you gain the skills, qualifications and connections that will propel your career further than you could ever imagine. And we’ll support you every step of the way.

With your help, we’re here to change that.

Join our two-year salaried Training Programme and discover who you could become.

WE'RE CHANGING EDUCATION FOR THE BETTER

We find and train talented teachers who can inspire their pupils, and open doors for those facing the biggest barriers to success. We place them in the schools across the country where they can make the greatest impact.

Be a leader. Be a teacher.

2 million Since 2003, we’ve improved the life chances and choices of over young people

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WHAT YOU GET: • A salary from day one in the classroom

• Opportunities for quick progression

• A fully funded, internationally recognised teaching qualification and professional coaching worth over £10k • Access to a community of 18,000+ ambassadors fighting to end educational inequality

“I wanted a career where I was going to be challenged every single day. I wanted to be in a career where I felt there would be real room for progression.”

Francesca Reid , Teach First 2015 primary ambassador and assistant headteacher at Reach Academy, Feltham

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The difference a teacher makes...

HOW IT WORKS • On our two-year salaried teaching and

• You’ll be matched with a school facing unique challenges. This could be in a city, a coastal town or a more rural location, giving you the opportunity to make the biggest difference. • From day one you’ll be developing as a leader, gaining skills that will take you anywhere, and inspiring your pupils to free their potential, fully supported by us every step of the way.

leadership programme, rated outstanding by Ofsted, you’ll be based in one of our partner schools, teaching pupils from some of the most deprived backgrounds.

• You’ll attend a mixture of online and in-person school-based training, before starting in school in the autumn term.

“I relocated from Bedford to Solihull to teach history on the Training Programme. Many of my pupils come from low-income backgrounds...” Francis, Teach First 2021 history ambassador and teacher at Leeds City Academy, Leeds

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“What helped me most was my mentor meetings. Whenever I had any issues, any questions...” Jennie, Teach First 2023 science ambassador and teacher at King Edward VII Academy, Kings Lynn

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YEAR 1

INSTITUTE

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Intensive training to prepare you for the classroom. LEARN MORE

START IN SCHOOL

Start working as a salaried teacher with real responsibility from day one.

COMPLETE PGCE AND QUALIFY AS A TEACHER At the end of year one, you’ll achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). LEARN MORE

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YEAR 2

SUMMER HOLIDAYS (AND GET PAID) - YAY!

RETURN TO SCHOOL

In September of your second year, you’ll return as an early career teacher.

BECOME AN AMBASSADOR

Once you’ve completed the programme you’re a Teach First ambassador. LEARN MORE

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OPTIONAL EXTRAS • Taster Programme: For students in their early years of university. Learn more about Teach First, develop the skills needed to succeed on our Training Programme and feel confident during the selection process. • Summer Projects: As a trainee, and later as an ambassador, you can take part in a one-to three-week placement with one of our partner organisations over the summer and develop skills, build connections and broaden your career prospects. • Coaching: Get access to a free, trained coach from one of our business partners to support your professional development and help you overcome challenges in the classroom. • Master’s Degree: Your PGCE is a great step towards completing a master’s degree as it’s worth 60 credits. You can complete a further 120 credits at one of our partner universities to gain a full master’s.

Four years into teaching, 50% of people who’ve completed our Training Programme are in middle leadership positions. And they are 12 times more likely to move into senior leadership positions within three years compared to teachers who trained at university. There’s no limit to the places you’ll go, with support from Teach First available at every step. Click to see where some of our trainees are now.

WILLIAM’S STORY

MARCUS' STORY

ANNA'S STORY

NATHAN'S STORY

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GO FURTHER Advance your career, make valuable connections and be part of an incredible community working to transform futures. You’ll discover a world of opportunities – both during your time as a trainee, and once you’ve completed the two-year Training Programme and become a Teach First ambassador.*

Amazing things happen when we work together.

• NETWORKS: Join one of our many supportive networks and communities.

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• PARTNERS: Through our partnerships with Accenture, Bloomburg, Citi Group, Deloitte, PwC and many others, you can link up with some of the world’s leading businesses and organisations.

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• SCHOOL LEADERSHIP: Develop throughout your teaching career with our range of school leadership programmes. Of those who have completed the Training Programme, over 140 are now headteachers or leading a multi-academy trust , over 500 are senior leaders and over 1,650 are middle leaders. • INNOVATION: Connect with other ambassadors and the wider Teach First community to develop ideas that tackle educational inequality. • VOLUNTEERING: Further your impact through volunteering as a school governor, trustee or pupil mentor. *A Teach First ambassador is someone who’s completed one of our programmes.

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2,300+ ambassadors are in school leadership positions

140+ ambassadors are headteachers

470+ ambassadors are leaders in business

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BEYOND THE TRAINING PROGRAMME Our ambassadors have gone on to achieve amazing things after completing the Training Programme, continuing to make their mark for the children facing the biggest barriers. The Training Programme is just the beginning. You’ll advance in ways you never imagined and open doors to endless opportunities – for yourself and those you’ll teach.

300+ ambassadors are working in government and policy positions

75+ ambassadors are leading social enterprise

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“Without these role models present throughout my, and other young Black people’s lives, we couldn't achieve the immense potential that we have as a community.” Aqueel, Teach First 2021 physics ambassador and head of READ MORE

The teaching workforce in our country is seriously lacking diversity. Children need role models. To see that they can succeed. To inspire them to fulfil their potential. To encourage them to pursue careers that will help shape the future. We believe that schools should reflect the communities they serve, with visible, diverse role models providing different perspectives and enriching children’s educational experiences. That’s why we’re working to embed diversity in everything we do. Research from the United States has shown that being taught by same-race teachers has a positive impact on the educational outcomes of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds, especially Black pupils.

Become part of the most important generation of teachers and leaders and transform countless lives, one classroom at a time.

learning at Uxbridge High School, London

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APPLY NOW

LAST YEAR:

*Figures represent candidates who disclosed this information from our 2023 cohort.

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Pav is a Teach First 2021 maths ambassador at Alderbrook School in Solihull. This is his story. I hadn’t planned to be a teacher, but Teach First supported me a lot through my education. I thought I might like to do something similar and give back.

It just so happens, I’ve ended up loving it.

EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT As a teacher, you learn a lot about yourself. I became more reflective because after each lesson I was thinking about how to improve. I had a pupil who is brilliant at athletics. So I thought of a way I could use sports to help teach elements of maths.

“That’s when I realised I have a real passion for this.

You never know what to expect. Every day is different.”

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BUILDING GREAT FRIENDSHIPS I’ve been surrounded by

because you get hands-on experience straight away.

I took the class for an outside lesson about Newton’s laws of motion and promised the pupil I’d race him after. The class loved it. Interactions like that are one of my favourite parts of the job. Children are hilarious. It makes the job fun. You never know what to expect.

If you want to push yourself and help others, and if you care about fighting educational inequality, then Teach First is definitely for you.

amazing colleagues who I’m close to. I’ve also met other Teach First maths teachers in my local area. It’s great to share your experiences with others. The support networks in place are good. You don’t feel alone. THEY’LL REMEMBER YOU FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES There are a lot of long-term career prospects. You’re working with all sorts of people and doing different things every day, and it’s highly respected. There’s ample opportunity to branch out too. I think it’s better than other training routes

You’re shaping young people’s lives, and they’ll never forget you.

That’s when I realised I have a real passion for this.

BRINGING MY PASSIONS TO SCHOOL I played American football at university. Some of my team did Teach First, and they showed me that it’s a great way to share your passions with pupils and help them in the process. So I’m starting my own club to help engage my pupils - to give them some focus and teach discipline skills that they can use in school and beyond.

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This is an opportunity that will change your life. And you won’t need to pay for it. In fact, you will get paid. And as you develop so will the opportunities that are open to you.

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SALARY PROGRESSION

You’ll earn from the outset and pay no fees. And you’ll finish the two-year programme with a qualification that would otherwise have cost you thousands. Here’s what you could earn: £20k- £30k As an unqualified teacher in your first year, you could earn between £20,598 and £30,557 depending on location and subject.

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As a qualified teacher, you could earn between £30,000 and £56,959 depending on experience, subject and location.

£30k-£56k

As a lead practitioner, you could earn between £47,417 and £81,051 depending on experience and location.

£47k-£81k

As a headteacher, you could earn between £53,380 and £139,891 depending on experience and location.

£53k-£139k

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This data is provided by the Department for Education (DfE) 15

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR We’re searching for potential, not the finished product. We’re on the lookout for people with these skills and qualities that will help make them a great teacher and leader:

Humility, respect and empathy

Resilience

Interaction

Self-evaluation

Leadership

Understanding and motivation

Planning and organising

Adaptability

Problem solving

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ELIGIBILITY To apply for our Training Programme you’ll need all of the following:

• A 2:1 Honours degree or above (2:2 Honours degrees will also be considered on a case-by-case basis). • A degree or A-levels that satisfy our teaching subject requirements (see our website).

• A grade C/4 in one science GCSE is also required for primary/ early years teaching.

• Proof that you have the right to work and remain in the UK for the duration of the two-year programme.

• A grade C/4 in GCSE maths and English (or equivalent).

We’re committed to ensuring that all applicants are treated fairly and with respect, irrespective of their gender, sexual orientation, age, race, religion or disability.

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APPLICATION PROCESS A step-by-step guide to applying for our Training Programme. 1 ONLINE APPLICATION You’ll be asked for your degree and academic qualifications, as well as completing competency and scenario-based questions.

Once you begin your application, a dedicated recruiter will be in touch to support you through

the process. 2 DEVELOPMENT CENTRE If your application is successful, we’ll invite you to take part in a Development Centre. This will either be online or in person. 3 OFFER If you're successful at the Development Centre stage, you'll receive your offer. 4 ENROLMENT Once you’ve completed your enrolment tasks, your offer will be

confirmed and you can begin preparing to start the programme.

Looking for help filling out your Teach First application form? We’ve got it covered.

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difference from day one Make a

Once you begin your application, a Teach First recruiter will be in touch to support you. Got questions before you begin your application? Register your details and our team will be in touch.

GET IN TOUCH

teachfirst.org.uk/training-programme Teach First is a registered charity, no. 1098294

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www.teachfirst.org.uk

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