Insight Participant Review

I absolutely loved the Insight programme! It was great to meet so many like minded people and work with them. Teach First really made sure our time with them was enjoyable whilst also helping us learn so much about the organisation. Going into a school in the second week was so fun and with the support from Teach First and staff members in the school we were all able to get the best experience possible.

It was constantly conveyed to us how the work teachers with Teach First do impacts the community and it really felt like our passion for education could inspire pupils. Our opinions were always valued and all the staff obviously just wanted us to learn and have the best experience. No one ever talked down to me and I really felt like an equal with everyone.

There was so much! During the first week we did a lot of reflection and work that helped us develop our own personal skills. This made us able to transfer what we learned in the first week to the work we did in the schools. There were always people we could go to if we had a problems and everyone was so welcoming and supportive. The fact that people from Teach First came to visit us in the school showed me how much they actually cared about our progress.

I don't think the skills I learnt will necessary help my degree studies but it definitely helped me analyse who I am as a person and how I approach tasks which will help me in everyday life. The information I received about educational inequality has highlighted what a big issue it really is in society and I know this will affect how I chose what to do after university.

There was a clear plan for the whole of the Insight programme and we were given a timetable everyday so we knew what we were doing in advance. The talks that were given were very well led and interactive. We were never left with nothing to do in the school either. I was also able to say things I was interested in and every effort was made to give me the richest experience.

Very positive, everyone seemed so thrilled to be there and even people leading the sessions were so full of energy. I feel like in every session I was encouraged to fully express myself which led to a relaxed atmosphere where everyone was at ease with each other. Overall this was a great experience, with so many great people and I would love to do it all over again!

Over the first week and on the last day we did a lot of personal development sessions. Teach First really encouraged us to assess what we could improve upon and what we did well, with the people who worked there always willing to answer our questions and give us tips on how we could develop ourselves.

The Insight Programme is basically a very short version of their graduate programme. I was really able to see what it would be like to work with Teach First and I was able to ask loads of current teachers about their time with Teach First. They never hid anything from us and I feel like I gained a very realistic representation of what it would be like in the future.

I think going into the school and acting as a member of staff helped me understand what it would be like to be a teacher but I don't think the training week completely showed us how we would interact with Teach First while we worked within the school. However, I'm not sure how much teachers interact with the organisation as a whole anyway.

100% this has helped me decide what I want to do with my life. I was a bit unsure about teaching before I started but going into the school and teaching my own lesson showed me that this is what I want to do as I just felt so happy there! I would not have got this opportunity without doing the Insight Programme so it has helped me immensely.

I was paid £500 for the two weeks and accommodation was provided which was amazing. Train tickets to London for the first week and to the school in the second week were not reimbursed so if you were sent miles away it could be expensive but the money we were all paid covered it. I think the money they give you is more for covering food etc. rather than to actually make money.

Everyone who led the Teach First session had trained with Teach First so I was able to ask them about their own experiences. Within the school a lot of staff members had trained with Teach First so I was able to talk to them too. However, I know some school don't have many Teach First teachers, so this may not be the same for everyone.

There were no official social events but as there were so many people together in the first week we were all able to network with each other and there were a few informal trips to the pub which were good for meeting each other. It would have been nice to have the opportunity to talk more to the external people who led some of the sessions.

Teach First has links with many other companies and organisations, whether that be their platinum partners or other charities that have been set up. We were able to register our interest with charities and I have already been contacted by a few with some opportunities.

Definitely - this has been the highlight of my summer. I made some great friends and learnt so much. Overall, it was such a rewarding experience and I would love to do it all over again and get an experience of a different school! I also don't think you could get this opportunity, with this much support from another company.