Insight Programme Review

by Teach First

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

3.9/5
  • About You
    3.9
  • The Company
    4.0
  • Everything Else
    3.8

    About You

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
  • It was more than I expected. The first week is focused on training which covered more than I thought it would, whilst the second week is a school placement. I adored my school placement and how much say I had over what I did, to the point I'm hoping to do my teacher training at the same school. 9 stars.

    5/5

  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued during your time at the company or firm?
  • I felt a little like a number at the pure Teach First days - although most of that was how many other people were on the program. The more individual part, the school placement, was awesome and I felt valued and left feeling like I made a different. Overall, I felt valued and was treated well. 8 stars.

    4/5

  • 3. How much guidance/support did you receive during the insight?
  • The first week of the program was focused on training, which covered some teaching basics, as well as information about Teach First and what they do. Whilst important information was there, some of it was rather repetitive, although I understand why it was included. The second week of the program I received less support than I would have liked, although it was due to a recent shuffle about at my school, not incompetency. I never felt alone or without any guidance, however. 7 stars.

    4/5

  • 4. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and information you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
  • I went into this scheme having more educational experience than most, so I knew I would not learn as much as some. However, my skills were strongly developed and there was a constant reminder to review our growth and improvement. I also gained a lot of confidence in my skills and got to apply them in ways I wouldn't have otherwise. 7 stars.

    4/5

    The Company

  • 5. How well structured was the insight?
  • The entire program was very well organised. There was never a time I didn't know what I was doing next or what I needed to be working on. The first week was well organised into sessions whilst the second week was organised with the school with my own say. The one negative I would say is that the prework and paperwork was all sent out and had to be completed during university exams, which could have been avoided by sending it out a little earlier. 8 stars.

    4/5

  • 6. How was the general atmosphere during your insight?
  • The staff were lovely, the other people on the program were lovely. None of the staff at my placement were rude or unwelcoming and I never felt uncomfortable or bad. There were a few activities that allowed us to meet people at the same school as us ahead of time, which helped a lot with this. 8 stars.

    4/5

  • 7. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
  • 4/5

  • 8. To what extent did the insight help you to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with the company or firm?
  • It was a sugar-coated idealistic version of their Leadership Development Program, which managed to avoid touching on a lot of the hardships of the LDP. It never avoided any information though. It did a good job explaining the LDP although they gave very little information about post-LDP, which several other people and I weren't comfortable with. 7 stars.

    4/5

  • 9. How much did the insight help you in understanding the company culture?
  • 4/5

  • 10. How valuable was the content in helping you to decide on your future career path?
  • I already knew I wanted to go into teaching, however I wasn't sure about which route I wanted to go into. This program really helped me make a decision on that. Lots of other people on the program also came away with much clearer ideas about if education was for them and if the Teach First Leadership Development Program was for them as well. 9 stars.

    5/5

    Everything Else

  • 11. Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
  • Payment was £250 a week or £500 for the entire program. Teach First also reimbursed travel expenses for the entire program as long as receipts (including bank statements) were provided. Accommodation was provided for free as well as travel to and from the program. We also got a free hoodie each.


  • 12. Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm?
  • There were a couple of social outings during which you could network with staff and other people on the scheme. There were also multiple talks from Teach First employees and people who have done their graduate scheme. There were more opportunities available for the handful of us that got duel offers. 8 stars.

    4/5

  • 13. How were the networking/ social event opportunities?
  • They existed. They weren't perhaps the best networking events, however Teach First focuses on education so networking isn't a focus for the program. None of the events felt awkward or uncomfortable and I got to talk to people that I wanted to talk to about what I wanted to talk about. 7 stars.

    4/5

  • 14. Did you find out about activities that employees can get involved in outside of work?
  • Almost too much. Some of the panels seemed too focused on the business applications after the LDP rather than just trying to sell us the LDP and education as a career. They also focused on post-LDP, rather than on the opportunities available during the LDP, which I had to specifically ask about. 7 stars.

    4/5

  • 15. Would you recommend this insight to a friend?
  • If they were sure that education was a possible career path for them, yes. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who's just mildly interested or who doesn't plan to go into education in any scenario. You teach a lesson, you work with real kids. If you have no passion for teaching at all, you shouldn't do it. If you're considering education or know you want to do education, I'd highly recommend it as long as you work well under pressure. 8 stars.

    4/5

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Details

Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)

Education/Teaching

South East

July 2019


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