Teach First Insight Programme Participant Review

The other people that I met and lived with during the Insight programme were all so friendly and loads of fun which was the highlight of the experience for me. The days during the initial training week were fairly dry. They were sort of interactive but there were also a lot of presentations. The second week in a school was much more interesting and I had a really good experience there.

The insight Programme is almost completely run for the benefit of the participants, I didn't feel like I offered much back but that didn't mean I didn't feel valued. I felt valued more as a potential TeachFirst applicant but still everything that was ran was for me with the aim of improving my skill set and educating me so I did feel valued.

As there were a lot of participants, it would have been impossible to have a 1-1 mentor but I did feel that if I'd had an issue I could have asked any of the organisers. I felt far less supported at the second week in a school as the only Teach First contacts we had there were two TF teachers already working at the school but half the aim of the first week is to prepare for that second week.

The skills I developed were planning and organisation, classroom interaction and loads of self-review skills. I think the self-review skills will be the most beneficial to me and Teach First also did a lot to help me put into words and examples the skills I had gained which is so vital for future interviews.

The insight programme was very well structured. The mornings and sign win times were staggered, there were usually a good mix of different types of session each day. Even when speakers couldn't make it due to unexpected circumstances the sessions were very smoothly re-jigged and I wouldn't have noticed a change had been made if we weren't told.

All very positive. There were prizes and quizzes and a lot of team building activities. In the school I felt looked after and like I wasn't a burden which was something I had been worried about. The ongoing twitter photo competition also really added to the spirit I think.

I don't feel like I offered much to Teach First during the insight programme and I think the whole two weeks were an investment in me. All of the presentations were either to improve our skillets, widen our thoughts and knowledge about education or tell us more about Teach First. The second week gave me an experience into teaching that would prepare me for Teach First.

Not very much. The two weeks were far too short to demonstrate that. Although the insight into the school was very interesting it didn't give much indication of what a teachers life is really like day in, day out. I don't really see how this could be achieved in two weeks.

Most of the first week was spent talking about teach first values and aims, I came away feeling like I knew teach first inside out! It was almost too much information, it felt very pushy towards teach first but then again you are there because you've shown an interest and they are paying you to be there.

So valuable. I still don't know if teaching is the path for me but teach first has helped me think about the career in ways I hadn't before. It shows you the hardest parts of the job so if you think you can make it in one of their schools then you've definitely got what it takes to be a teacher and if not then you can still teach, just know where you're suited.

I was paid £500 which seemed generous but when I had to travel to London, then Leeds, then back to London and then back home that took a large chunk of the money. However accommodation is provided so I do think £500 is fair. Especially as I don't really see how I earned the money other than giving teach first my attention for two weeks.

Yes, although I was disappointed that the firms were mainly limited to London and a few other big cities.

T=I made a lot of friends over the two weeks! Mainly the six other people I went to Leeds with. They even bought me a surprise birthday cake to celebrate my birthday while we were there! However the organised social events were a bit lacking. Just two trips to the pub which is expensive in London and on the last day most people had to leave to get home at a reasonable hour.

No, these would be relevant to the school you are placed in if you join the programme I assume.

Yes, if the friend was interested in teaching and considering teach first I would definitely recommend. It is paid so all you lose is two weeks of your time and it really does add a wealth of skills to your CV. Plus the type of people you will meet are all like-minded, friendly people.