Teach First
Teach First is a charity working to break the link between low family income and poor educational attainment, which is greater in the UK than in almost any other developed country.
Participants embark on a two year Leadership Development Programme where they are placed, trained and supported to raise the achievement, aspirations, and access to opportunity of pupils from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Teach First works with its partner schools, supporters, and university-based training partners to place teachers in Greater London, the North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Before beginning teaching, all participants are required to complete a six-week Summer Institute which provides participants with core skills and knowledge that will support their teaching from September.
Throughout the first year, participants work towards a PGCE whilst undertaking around 90% of a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) timetable. In their second year, as NQTs, they further their impact in the classroom by setting visions and goals.
Participants spend a minimum of two years in the classroom of a school in challenging circumstances, after which they graduate to become Teach First ambassadors with a life-long commitment to ending inequality in education from both inside and outside the classroom.
United by their teaching experience and drive to eliminate disparities in education, over 69% of ambassadors remain in teaching, or within the education sector.
Entry requirements
You will need either a physics or physics-rich undergraduate degree (2.1 or above or 300 UCAS points).
Duration
The programme lasts for two years.
Qualifications
QTS after the first year, usually with a PGCE. Also credits towards a masters degree (Education, Educational Leadership or Leadership) should you chose to study further in the future.
Funding
You will be paid a salary of between £17,657 to £21,731 (these are 2010 rates) plus get contributions towards a Teachers Pension.
Applications
Apply direct to Teach First. Recruitment stops when they reach their targets, so early application is advised.