Insight Programme Review

An intense two week period, but extremely rewarding. I felt I gained a huge amount of knowledge and personal development despite such a short period.

It was clear from the start how enthusiastic every member of the team were in wanting you to get involved with Teach First as much as possible

All members of staff were extremely approachable and constantly sent us information via e-mail. The first equipped us with lots of key skills to tackle the second week in the school.

Having to plan a one hour lesson required a large degree of organisational/planning skills, as well as initiative to find time to plan outside the fully packed school timetable. Subsequently teaching this was even more rewarding in terms of personal development, as the teacher provided me with lots of positive comments as well as constructive criticism. Despite only being one hour, I also think it has made me a more confident and strong individual - if you can control a class of 30 young children, you feel like you can do anything!

We were sent the full breakdown of each day of the two weeks prior to starting the insight. The whole programme ran smoothly and to this structure.

Everyone was clearly passionate about the vision of Teach First, as well as being fun, charismatic and friendly. This was a nice environment to be in especially during the first week in training and there was a large degree of interaction and group work on tables

Many internal and external leaders, from within Teach First but also other Social Enterprises and the Royal Navy, came in to share their stories and lead personal development sessions.

The first week gave a good understanding of what the Summer Institute could entail. The second week in particular allowed us to speak to lots of Teach First teachers currently doing the 2 year Leadership Development Programme and gain a far deeper understanding in to what it will involve. Observing and teaching in a Teach First partner school also allowed us to infer what sort of school we would be placed in. However because the LDP will be very intense and hard work, I don't think any insight could allow anyone to FULLY understand what it will be like.

This could not be faulted. We listened to and interacted with a number of employees involved with Teach First in a number of ways, all demonstrating their passion and shared vision for working towards a day where no child's educational success is limited by their socio-economic background.

It made me much more likely to do the LDP after graduation, but as I have over two years before graduation and still am considering other potential career paths, it didn't set in stone future decisions.

You have your accommodation for the two weeks paid for. You are also given £500 for the two weeks to cover all your food and travel. Travel will likely take up a large proportion of this payment as you have to travel to training in week 1, from London to your school placement in week 2 (in my case Bournemouth), and back to London at the end of the week 2 for a final day of reflection.

Lots came in to talk to us. There was also a networking session at the end of the final day to speak to your Graduate Recruiter at your specific University. The school placement in particular was great for talking to people currently on the LDP programme (but I think I was lucky to have been placed in a school where there were lots of teachers on the programme, at some there were very few)

This wasn't really touched on. In the second week we found that lots of Teach First teachers in the area tended to live together in student-like houses, which I liked the sound of.

100%. Even if you aren't considering teaching, Teach First or the LDP, it gives you an amazing insight into the educational challenges facing our society, and stepping out of your comfort zone to teaching a lesson with minimal training is hugely beneficial to personal development no matter your desired career direction.