Education · Training Programme
Teach First Graduate Scheme
Quick answer
Teach First places graduates as trainee teachers in schools serving low-income communities while they earn Qualified Teacher Status. Selection centres on a values-and-competency assessment and an assessment centre with a sample lesson. It looks for resilience, leadership and a genuine commitment to educational equality.
About the Teach First Training Programme
Teach First is a charity and one of the UK's largest graduate employers, tackling educational inequality. Trainees teach from early on with support, gaining QTS and often a PGDE, plus leadership development.
Eligibility & entry requirements
The application & selection process
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Online application | Motivation, subject and region preferences. |
| Online assessment | Situational and competency-based exercises. |
| Development Centre | A sample lesson, a group activity, a written task and an interview. |
| Offer & Summer Institute | Conditional offer, then intensive pre-placement training. |
Common Teach First interview questions
- 1Why do you want to teach in a challenging school?
- 2Tell me about a time you showed resilience.
- 3How would you motivate disengaged students?
- 4Describe a time you led or influenced others.
- 5What does educational inequality mean to you?
How to get an offer
- Show genuine, specific commitment to educational equality.
- Prepare and rehearse your sample lesson thoroughly.
- Bring strong resilience and leadership stories.
- Demonstrate awareness of the realities of challenging schools.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Vague motivation not tied to the mission.
- An under-prepared sample lesson.
- Underestimating the emotional and workload demands.
- No evidence of resilience.
Application deadlines
Teach First recruits in rounds from autumn and closes when regions/subjects fill — apply early.
Salary & benefits
Teach First trainees are paid as unqualified or newly qualified teachers (roughly £24k–£31k depending on region), rising on qualification.
Frequently asked questions
What is Teach First?
A charity that trains graduates as teachers in schools serving low-income communities, leading to Qualified Teacher Status while addressing educational inequality.
What happens at the Teach First assessment centre?
You teach a short sample lesson, take part in a group activity and a written task, and have a competency-based interview.
Do I get paid during Teach First?
Yes — you're employed and paid as a teacher from your placement, starting at unqualified/newly qualified rates and rising on gaining QTS.
Preparing for the Teach First graduate scheme?
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