Insight Participant Review

Throughly enjoyable experience which included a healthy work life balance and the opportunity to network with lots of like minded individuals. The accommodation provided was in a great location and was very sociable, as was the accomdation provided during the placement week. There were social activities planned during the two weeks.

All the staff seemed very interested in our experiences and wanted us to succeed

The training was very intense and well structured, and our host teacher provided lots of support during the placement

I think my ability to time manage and plan has increased as a result of doing the programme. I also think I have become a more confident speaker.

It was extremely well structured with activities showing a variety of styles and formats.a typical day lasted from 9-4, and included tasks such as learning about the gatekeeper skills needed for teaching, and also talks from teach firsts cooperate partners which were very interesting. There was a social after the first day.

Good atmosphere throughout. Lots of enthusiasm demonstrated by staff and fellow participants. There was a high level of professionalism exhibited with the training sessions delivered to an extremely high standard meaning lots was learnt. There was a supportive environment and a community feel created at the training venue as well as in our schools.

They seemed commitment to making sure we had a quality experience

Working at a tech first school made me realise what it would be like to work as a teacher in a deprived area of the UK. Speaking to staff and students also highlighted the issues that students face regarding success in education. Planning a lesson taught me the work and hours required to be a teacher.

Insight taught me the benefits of teach first in terms of the community attached when doing the programme. I also learnt that the company has links with many cooperate partners and works on many projects. I understood more about the teach first mission and the purpose of their work,and how they work with society as a whole.

Doing the placement allowed me to gain first hand experience in the career in education which was useful in helping me decide whether I wanted to enter into teaching. I also learnt about the routes that many teach first graduates take after the programme such as working in consultancy which is something I'd be interested in doing.

We were paid £500 for the duration of the programme, and we were also provided with accomdation for the duration of the programme. We weren't however reimbursed for our travel costs and we had to purchase food also. I think the pay should be considerably higher given the number of hours required outside the school hours to prepare our lessons.

Yes there were lots of opportunities to network with other participants and employees on the programme. For instance there were many group tasks we got involved with, and during our school placements we were working with 2/3 other participants meaning we got to spend time with them on a daily basis.

There was a social activity on the first evening at a local pub, which was OK but I know a lot of people didn't attend so perhaps a non drinking social wouldve been a wiser move and more accessible to everyone. Also there was another drinking social again on the last evening which not many people went to.

I learnt about some of the fundraising activities I could get involved in such as teach firsts run the river campaign, but I'm not sure about other activities people could get involved in outside of work. The nature of the job means the outside activities would be based on your location.

Yes I would because I had a fun time and I learnt a lot about the nature of teaching and the leadership development programme. Also everyone on the programme has a guaranteed reduced assessment centre which means you can be offered a place for the graduate programme quite easily if you perform well on the programme