From day one you'll be in the classroom, starting with 80% of a fully qualified teacher's timetable (60% for Primary and Early Years). Plus, you’ll earn at least the basic salary for an unqualified teacher.
You’ll spend most of your time in school, but also attend training days and conferences run by us and our partner universities. You’ll build your knowledge of teaching theory, get more practical training and, no doubt, swap a load of stories with other trainees. Throughout the programme you’ll be supported, trained and assessed by a Teach First expert, a mentor at your school and a university tutor.
Once you complete your first year on the programme, you’ll have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be part-way to your Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Leadership (PGDE).
Now an Early Career Teacher (ECT), your salary will go up to at least £25,900. You’ll be teaching a full timetable and may have the opportunity to further build your leadership credentials with responsibilities such as:
During the year you’ll complete the final two modules of your PGDE. We’ll still be there supporting you alongside your school and university, through training days, conferences and one-to-one support.
Continue progressing at your school, apply for jobs in other schools or explore completely different sectors.
With your PGDE you can work as a teacher anywhere, at home or abroad. You’ll also be part-way to a master’s degree which you can complete part-time, should you choose to over your third year in the classroom.
On top of that, you’ll be a Teach First ambassador and part of our 10,000-strong ambassador network. That means there are thousands of people just like you who’ve been through the programme and are working to create a fairer education system. They’re a close-knit, supportive bunch who are always happy to help.
