'Teach First' is a charitable organisation based in London, whose mission is to recruit, train and place top-flight graduates in 'National Challenge' primary and secondary schools for two years, to address educational disadvantage through exceptional and inspirational teaching.
Since its inception in 2002, Canterbury Christ Church has been an integral part of the Teach First project, providing training for the 'participants' as they work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Initially the project was focused on the London region; in 2006 the project was extended to schools in the North West, East and West Midlands regions. Canterbury Christ Church University became the National Training Provider, as well as the Regional Training Provider for London.
In 2009, Teach First expanded further into the Yorkshire and Humber region, by now recruiting over 500 graduates a year to the programme, and the burgeoning project was reorganised. After a successful bidding process, Canterbury Christ Church University was confirmed within the new National Initial Teacher Training Partnership, working in collaboration with the Institute of Education, the University of Warwick, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and the Training and Development Agency (TDA), as well as Teach First itself. Canterbury Christ Church also remains the training provider for the large London region.
Selection for the Teach First training programme is very competitive, and includes a rigorous assessment and selection process aimed at identifying not only academic ability but the level of the applicant's commitment to teaching, and the Teach First mission. Typically, participants are expected to begin the programme with at least a 2:1 degree in their teaching subject (or closely related).
Teach First participants begin their training at an intensive six-week 'Summer Institute', which focuses on the essentials of teaching theory and craft, including pedagogy and personalised learning. Participants also complete a 'subject knowledge audit', which is assessed by their tutor before they begin teaching.
From September Teach First participants work full-time in school, following an employment-based training route. Training is provided by school-based mentors, supported by university tutors who visit the schools regularly and run specialist training days at various times in the year. Particiapnts achieve QTS at the end of the first academic year.
A particular aspect of the Teach First programme is how it integrates Masters-level work into its training programme. During a participant's second year in schools, a structured programme of leadership training is delivered to prepare participants for senior positions: whether in education, politics or business. After the two mandatory years of the Teach First programme, participants are well on the way to completing an MA in Education Leadership. The majority of participants remain in teaching, and many are already in senior management positions in schools across the country.
Learn more about how to apply for Teach First
Contact Teach First (Canterbury Christ Church University Team)