Insight Participant Review

by Teach First

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

4.1/5
  • About You
    3.9
  • The Company
    4.4
  • Everything Else
    4.0

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • Overall I loved the programme, it was well thought out and full of like minded people who became friends. The first week was spent in their London offices with a full timetable of speakers, activities and tasks. I felt that these days could have been condensed and it would have been better to learn more teaching skills, as the focus was more on self improvement and learning more about what Teach First does. The second week was spent in a school before heading back to London, and I felt both supported but challenged during this.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • The Teach First team were very welcoming and always ensured that I was happy with any arrangements before the programme, although as there were so many participants it was difficult to feel as though you were valued as an individual, but through no fault of their own. I felt very useful however in the school for the second week, having an extra TA in the class really helped to manage the lessons and the teachers were always thankful for that as well as being consistently welcoming to us. Got very involved in the lessons which meant there was plenty to do, and the days went very quickly.

    5/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • Most guidance was self-orientated, recognising your own competencies and where your strengths and weaknesses are. There wasn't as much as I would have liked in the way of guidance for how to control a class or manage behaviour or teach effectively. However, I always felt like I could contact or go to any of the staff to ask for help or support, and Teach First were exceptional in terms of communication throughout the admissions, programme, and post-programme stages.

    4/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • The skills I developed were important for any corporate environment as well as those more relevant to teaching. As an insight programme it was more about seeing if the pathway into Teach First is for you or not, and it's definitely worth taking part if that's something that's uncertain.

    3/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • Very well structured from start to finish. Personalised timetables, name badges, plenty of Teach First branded paraphernalia and set times for breaks and lunch with tea and coffee provided throughout. We were kept well updated and checked up on during the second week of the programme in which everyone headed off to different schools, all accommodation was good and was organised completely by Teach First, there was never a time where I was unsure what to be doing.

    5/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • Very positive atmosphere in general, those running the programme were friendly and enthusiastic and so was everyone else who took it. Lots of time to socialise outside of the programme. At times some of the tasks seemed too repetitive and went on for too long, there was a large amount of sitting and listening during the first week as well. In the second week the teachers were knowledgeable about the programme as well as friendly and welcoming towards us, and our particular group of 5 in an Isle of Wight school got on well and had time to explore the area.

    4/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • 4/5

  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
  • Teach First did a really good job of describing the LDP programme to us during the insight weeks, as well as the entire application process. The insight is perfect for learning more about the company and what it would be like to be a teacher. Lots of contact with 'ambassadors', those who have done the programme before, and I came away very impressed with how Teach First operates. Everyone seemed very honest about their experiences, almost all said that the LDP was extremely hard at times but making it through was an achievement for them.

    5/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • 5/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • 4/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • Paid £500 for two weeks, and all accomodation was paid for. Important to consider though that no food or travel costs (both to the programme and to your school and back) are covered, so the money you are paid inevitably goes on that.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • 3/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • 4/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • 5/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • Definitely!

    5/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

London

July 2017


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