TeachFirst Insight Program Review

The two weeks were a really fun and sociable way to gain an insight into the amazing work that TeachFirst do! Everyone working for TeachFirst is so kind and supportive and all the other participants are really friendly and fun. You also feel like you work on your own skills and also have the opportunity to do a lot in your school during the second week. You go into the school really prepared after the first week as well. I really enjoyed the insight.

Everyone that works for TeachFirst is really nice and friendly and make you feel really valued. There are a team of people who work in the undergraduate department and they look after you really well. They happily and quickly deal with all your queries before, during and after the program.

You get so much support, your University representative coaches you through your application, through the program and even after the program. You schedule phone calls together so there is loads of opportunity for support and you feel well looked after. There is even an opportunity to go for coffee with your University Rep.

The TeachFirst competencies are really transferrable. There is a lot of focus on being a good leader which is relevant in every job and every program. It's a really good opportunity to work on your own personal development in a supportive environment and I've found it so helpful. I definitely feel like I am more understanding of the skills I have and the skills I have to work on.

Every bit of the two weeks is well thought out and well planned. You are so busy but you get your timetable before so you know what you'll be doing and when and where. The days are long but so rewarding. You feel fully prepared to go into the school for the second week because you do so much training in the first week.

It was a really amazing atmosphere, everyone is so fun and kind. Everyone is there for similar reasons to you too which makes it really nice. I made really good friends- it's really sociable and fun. It's not a competitive or stressful atmosphere at all, but you are still productive and feel rewarded.

The whole first week is spent training and focusing on personal development and the Teach First competencies. You also reflect during the week placement at your school and on the final day of the insight so there is ample opportunity to talk these through and focus on your own development.

This is an insight program into the LDP (leadership development program) and especially working in the school and talking to TeachFirst ambassadors, you truly do get an insight into what it would be like to do the LDP and also life beyond in partner companies. I definitely feel like I have a better understanding.

You learn all about the competencies which are central to TeachFirst and also develop these yourself. You hear about statistics about educational inequality but doing this program you actually first hand see it and have opportunity to do something about it. It makes you feel so much more passionate and therefore you understand the company culture so much more.

It was very TeachFirst based but there is also a lot of focus on the partner companies and companies that have been set up by TeachFirst so you feel like you have so many options and so much ahead of you. Seeing and speaking to all these companies really does help you to make an informed decision as to what you want to do.

You do get paid for the two weeks. You do however have to pay for train tickets and food. This does not really matter though because you get enough money to include these costs and you can book trains early when they are cheaper. You have free accommodation which is really nice too and also really sociable and fun!

The sessions are run by people who work for TeachFirst so you meet so many people that work there in all different departments. You also meet TeachFirst ambassadors (people who have done the LDP) and these people work for partner companies such as PWC and Accenture. There's also an opportunities fair on the last day so there is plenty of time to network.

There is plenty opportunity for networking / social events. On the first day you go to the pub to celebrate the first day of insight being completed and on the last day you also go to the pub and celebrate. It's good because you realise how far you've come and how much you've learnt.

You find out about life after the Leadership development program and opportunities such as summer projects with partner companies but this is all work related and career based. It is still really good to know that options are open as not everyone decides to continue with teaching after the two years have been completed.

I would definitely recommend the program to a friend. You get to work on your own personal development, meet loads of nice new people, do something in order to better the problem of educational inequality and you get paid! It's a great two weeks and a great insight into TeachFirst if you are looking to do the LDP when you've graduated.