Student Review

The Insight Programme was greatly enjoyable offering two very different weeks. The first covers skills behind teaching, the aims behind the charity and shows many of the options available to you other than teaching after the programme. The next week was my favourite as you are at a school in the UK for 4 days where you are fully immersed in the routine, given the chance to both observe and teach as well as get involved with all the other activities the school run such as after school sports.

As participants we were encouraged to answer questions and were treated with respect throughout.They also gave us the opportunity to fully discover how the schools worked. Teach First also wanted us to get to know our local area so we were sent on the Saturday before starting on the Monday so to have time to explore. Networking drinks and the beginning and end of the first week and at the end of the last week gave us a chance to socialise with staff and participants alike.

I felt the company were always happy to help us during the course of the programme if any problems did arise. The course programme was published in advance. There was quite a lot of information at first but staff were happy to guide you through. I felt like I always knew where I needed to be and at what time.

The programme included reflections throughout to see our own personal development and aid us in improving. We were given detailed information about the Leadership development programme and jobs available to us after University. Through the programme I can now teach a full lesson to a good standard and feel I have the confidence and tools to do so in the future. My general organisation and effort behind work has improved as a result of the programme.

The insight programme was well structured with all transport and accomodation paid for and booked for us. The timetable for both weeks was given weeks before the start of the programme and the course stuck to it. There was a good balance in the first week between listening and interaction. The school I was placed at gave a large variety of activities for me to get involved in, these activities varied between schools. Everyone completed observations and taught a full lesson which was brilliant.

The Insight Programme made me feel more and more passionate about going into teaching after University. It showed me there are so many ways we can improve the classroom experience for students and ourselves and the need to combat poverty in education. All the participants enjoyed the weeks even those who were not set on teaching. I highly recommend the programme whether you want to teach or not so as to get a feel of what teaching has to offer.

The company set aside time for reflection of our skills. It helped us personally to see where we can improve with feedback throughout. Informal assessment allowed us to grasp where we needed to improve individually. Teach First wanted all of us to be inspired and become brilliant STEM teachers in the future.

The programme aimed to get the most out of us. It worked on the philosophy that it didn't need the finish product but wanted enthusiasm. It showed us what teaching can be if we put our minds to it and the massive need to a change in education so students from every background can succeed.

The company paid for travel to London from our own areas and to the local areas during the course. Accommodation in London and local area was included. The accommodation was to a good standard. Travel to and from the schools and the centre was reimbursed up to £7.80 per day. Paid £500.

I already have recommended this to friends as a brilliant insight to teaching. No matter what your opinion is of teaching the programme will make you feel much more informed and see so much more of what is available to you. The ability to teach in a class was amazing, all the while getting paid.