Taster Online Review

I found the experience really valuable, as it gave me information on the Teach First Internship programme which I am interested in and the application process. I enjoyed the small group activities and making and presenting my own lesson. It was a great way to challenge myself, especially challenging my nerves. One criticism is that the days were very long and it is quite exhausting to sit at a screen for that length of time. I was not well so by the end of the days I was tuning in and out a little bit.

The staff were really friendly and approachable. Between the facilitators, outside speakers, partners and ambassadors, each made sure we felt able to share our thoughts, ask questions and to clarify points of confusion. I wasn't able to attend the last part of day 1 because I was unwell, and within 5 minutes of me emailing them asking to be excused early I had a really lovely and understanding reply.

The experience was everything I thought it would be in terms of the way it sought to prepare participants for the development centre and what to expect with the internship. We got lots of really helpful CV boosting tips and were given lots of really good reflections to help us work on the competencies more.

I got lots of really helpful advice on how to apply to the teach first internship and on the process, which is useful as I will be applying in about a months time. However, he skills I developed will definitely boost my CV in other areas and applying for other schemes.

I really enjoyed the content as I said before and found it really useful- I just wish it was spaced out more, maybe either cutting content or spreading it over 3 days rather than 2. Over 5 hours on zoom is a long time and it is really quite exhausting.

The atmosphere was calm, casual and friendly. I never felt like I couldn't speak my mind or ask a clarifying question, everyone was lovely and really helpful. It was clear that the facilitators just wanted us to get the most out of the experience and did everything within their power to ensure that we did.

Personal development was one of the most highly valued aspects of this taster. We frequently did self evaluation following feedback and looked at next steps, either individually or in small groups. Any clarifying questions were answered immediately and the facilitators made sure to make themselves available over messenger or email to do so.

Between Facilitators and Ambassadors sharing their experience and answering questions and the level of respect with which we were treated, I can tell that Teach First is really invested in it's Interns and their success. They made sure to really show us our options and walk us through everything in depth and very simply so that it was easy to follow.

As much as you can get over zoom, I definitely got the sense that Teach First as a company are extremely people driven and value highly the experiences of the individual and their personality. Uniformity was praised as equally as creativity, and the facilitators seemed really keen to build on pre-existing skills rather than make candidates fit a mould.

After this experience, I have decided that I really am 100% interested in the Teach First Internship and will be applying. It seems like such a great opportunity with such great leaders who seem to really genuinely care about the individual and seek to support you through the process. Though I imagine it will be stressful, the support systems are like no other.

I originally signed up for the in person taster experience in London. When that Got cancelled, I was refunded my travel costs (as flights were not offering refunds). The experience is free and it is only 2 days.

There were as many opportunities as is really possible over zoom. Teach First made a real effort to try and create socialisation spaces for individuals to get to know each other, and I know I did. However, without the in person contact I doubt these people on the course will be little more than strangers.

For similar reasons as above it was not ideal due to it being online, but Teach first did the best to present as many opportunities as possible for people.

There was the Quiz but I didn't attend because I was ill. I heard it was very good though!

If you are considering teach first and want to boost your CV- definitely give this experience a shout! You develop some really great skills and there are great networking opportunities provided also.