Insight Programme Summer 2019 Review

It was a great 2 weeks. The first week was spent doing loads of fun activities getting to know all of the other students on the insight programme and learning key information about what makes a great teacher, with demonstrations and practice sessions. It was really enjoyable all of the staff were lovely and helpful and made the first week fly by. The second week we all went to a different school around the UK to gain experience in a school and I thoroughly enjoyed every day at my school and I learnt so much

Teach First make you very aware that you're needed and valued. They supplied us all with free hoodies, pens and totes and organised drinks on the first and final day of the insight programme so they could speak to us in a more informal way. They also arrange a reunion tbc, so we can all go back and see each other again and stay in touch with teach first.

The first week there is lots of guidance and support as we were all in one building and there were staff everywhere and happy to help with any question that you may have. They spent lots of time with all of us making sure we were all getting the most out of the first week. The second week there was less obvious support for teach first as you're in a school somewhere in the UK so it's the schools job to ensure you know what you're supposed to be doing at what time but we were all give an emergency staff phone number incase there were any issues at all.

I think that everyone should so this programme, even if you're not sure about becoming a teacher because honestly the first week you learn so many skills that are applicable in all fields of work not just teaching. As I do want to teach, I found the first week really pinpointed the key things that you need to be a great teacher and then going into a school I saw those things in action, showing that the first week was very well spent learning the things that teachers (good ones) actually do.

There was lots of traveling involved over the two weeks but it's not terrible I just read my book on all of the trains. The first week you have stuff planned 9-5 with 3 breaks we all knew the timetable and what was happening when so it was very well organised in week one. Week two it was agin up to the school to plan the week, and my school was slightly unorganised but always found something for us to do

Great, it was a fab atmosphere all the people both staff and participants were polite and friendly. There were very few boring moments in the two weeks and all of the staff were extremely enthusiastic which helped keep all of us interested and engaged. It was really fun whilst learning a lot

Only a little 1 to 1 development and support from the feedback phonecall after the assesment to get onto the programme but there were lots of sessions for personal development where you were able to reflect and make action plans for personal development using resources that were provided on the learning hub

Met lots of staff who all explained what they do for teach first and why the like their jobs. At the school we were able to meet lots of teacher who were on the LDP which is the next step after the insight programme so it was great to talk to them and find out first hand what it is really like. Everyone was very positive

Some sessions were spent talking about teach first and their role in teaching and the stem challenge etc, so after the first week we all knew who teach first were, what they want to do and how they are planning to do it. Which I thought was really great as it showed passion for teaching and passion for stem

I already knew I wanted to be a teacher prior to this programme but it made me 100% that teaching is what I want to do. Being able to spend a week training and learning and then going into a school being able to use all of that knowledge was great. I am also so thankful that I got to teach a whole lesson, it was such a fun experience that will stay with me forever as it was the first time I've ever done something like that and it was fantastic

Travel and accommodation is paid for, for both weeks. Tube tickets for traveling from the accomodation to the training venue are reimbursed. Travel from the accomodarion to the school is reimbursed, WiFi charges are reimbursed. You are payed at the end of the programme to cover the expenses of food and for taking part

Same staff most days with a few guest speakers, but you learn so much about the company from them that I don't think you need to meet more staff in the two weeks. You can attend other teach first events where you will meet more staff and alumni, these events were highlighted to us

One event at the start of the programme and one at the end. There will be a reunion, tbc, for all of the participants to attend and see each other again. They also sent out links to future teach first events which we are all welcome to attend to be able to network and catch up with other participants

Everyone said that a good work/life balance is important

Yes. I think you get out what you put in and if you're not commited to the programme you probably won't love it, but for me it was the best thing I've done to prepare myself for a career as I learnt to much and got to experience how a school actually works and I got to teach a lesson which was just amazing. The whole two weeks were fun and very informative