Teaching Taster Review

It was very interesting insight that allowed me to begin to understand both the work that Teach First do and how their graduate leadership programme works to get good teachers into some of the most disadvantaged schools in the UK. The two days were full of feedback and areas of improvement that I can use in the future.

I felt like I was part of the community at the company and was welcomed when I arrived. Throughout it felt that I was valued, but there could have been more small group interaction with other members of staff rather than solely group work to see how my time was useful to the company.

Throughout I received continual guidance and support that meant I was able to know what I did well and areas that I could improve on. There was always someone I could talk to if there was a problem and there was constantly support from the members of staff that were running the sessions.

There was a large emphasis on developing skills throughout the insight which has allowed me to pinpoint the skills that I have and ones that need more work in order to develop them. I have greatly developed my timekeeping and independence throughout the insight which are essential to my degree.

The insight was incredibly well structured, to such an extent that the timetable was stuck on the walls to be viewed and we managed to finish early on the second day because we had started early. There wasn't anything that could have improved the structure of the insight and I was emailed a copy of the timetable beforehand so I knew what the structure of the day would be.

There was a great atmosphere and level of enthusiasm from all of the staff which trickled down to everyone who took part in the insight. There were sessions that were not as fun as the others, but the staff continually tried to make everything as engaging as possible so we got the most out of it.

Throughout the two days Teach First did as much as they could to ensure that I received as much training and personal development as I could so that I would then be able to contribute effectively to their graduate programme if I join it once I have finished my university studies.

The insight programme was not designed to give me a full insight into the company meaning that it did not then help me to understand what it would be like on their graduate programme full time. It did however allow me to understand what their graduate programme involves, thus somewhat fulfilling this criterion.

The visit to their office during the insight allowed me to understand the company culture as I was, for the two days, surrounded by those who work at Teach First who seemed to really be enjoying and were passionate about their work. It definitely allowed me to understand how the company wishes to be run and seen in the communities in which it works.

It gave me a very good understanding of what their graduate programme is, which is something which I am seriously considering once I finish my studies. However, the programme did highlight the other opportunities that they have available which then once again diversified the options for my future career path.

Travel expenses up to £35 will be reimbursed, accommodation was provided for the night stayover and food was provided throughout.

Throughout the insight, Teach First provided so many opportunities for networking that allowed me to talk with people in their company. This was most notably those who had taken part in the programme or who were partners of the company. There wasn't, however, many opportunities to talk to people who were working in their London office throughout the two days.

These opportunities were incredibly varied meaning that there were both formal and informal opportunities for me to do this, including events at the office in London as well as more informally during the dinner at Pizza Express. The organiser really went out of their way to make sure that we had as many social events as possible..

To my recollection there was no information about activities that employees could get involved in outside of work given to us during the insight. However, this is understandable given the varied and dispersed version of teaching that means that there are many different experiences and activities outside of the workplace dependant on where we would be placed.

I would most definitely recommend the Teach First insight taster programme because it allowed me to gain the first look into the graduate scheme that they offer and understand how this could benefit me if I chose to take part in it once I graduated. It is also a very good way of gaining an understanding of what charities and organisations are doing to help tackle educational inequality, as the taster programme also included many of their partner companies that believe in the same things as they do.