• An undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Evidence of sufficient subject knowledge in the subject you are applying to teach, either through your degree, your A levels or wider experience.
• A Grade 4 (C) in English and Maths GCSE, or equivalent qualifications.
• To teach primary you also need a Grade 4 (C) in GCSE Science.

We warmly welcome applicants from students in their final year of university study and can make you an offer conditional on the completion of your undergraduate degree.

We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs. Functional skills qualifications are not equivalent to Maths and English GCSEs.

We accept most equivalency test providers. You will need to have passed your GCSE equivalency test before applying to our programme; we will not be able to process your application until you have passed.

Overseas qualifications will be reviewed by the UK national agency for international qualifications and skills (ENIC) to ensure they meet programme requirements.
 

International candidates

You will need the right to study in the UK.

You already have this if, for example, you:

• are an Irish citizen
• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

If you do not already have the right to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. The main visa for fee-paying courses (those that you have to pay for) is the student visa.

Classroom based learning

By choosing our programme, you will benefit from hands-on experience at two or more schools and learn from experienced teaching professionals. Our curriculum focuses on supporting you to put learning into practice and places you in school four days a week from early September until the end of the summer term.

Our programme also includes six weeks of placements in additional educational settings later in the year to make sure that you qualify with broad teaching experience.
 

Specialised training

Before you enter the classroom, we’ll give you two weeks of intensive training focused on core areas such as behaviour management and planning. You will also have a further two weeks of intensive training later in the year (for example, the first week of the spring and summer terms). They will focus on pivotal areas to help help trainees to develop their practice.

Once you start your placement, you will have weekly training sessions, designed by Teach First’s expert curriculum designers, and sequenced to ensure focus on the areas of teaching that are most relevant to that point in the academic year.

You will take part in six modules across the year - one per half term. In each module you will have self- directed study sessions, a live seminar and a conference day to give you time to collaborate with other trainees within your placement teaching school hub. Brightspace is the digital learning platform that will support your journey.

Your self-directed study session will cover a comprehensive range of topics:

1. Subject knowledge and pedagogy
2. An inclusive classroom environment
3. Effective and inclusive teaching
4. Planning and curriculum
5. Effective assessment

Live seminars will be held for each module and are tailored to whether the trainee is specialising in primary or secondary education (the secondary live seminars are subject-specific). Each module will also include a full day conference which will focus on a combination of core curriculum and subject or phase specific content. The conferences also provide a great opportunity to meet other trainees on the programme.
 

Mentoring and support

You’ll be eased into teaching by shadowing other expert teachers, before leading your own lessons with guidance from more experienced colleagues. You'll work with a skilled and knowledgeable subject-specific mentor who will meet with you regularly to give you guidance. Your lead mentor will deliver your training and oversee your progress throughout the year.

Your mentor also receives support and training from Teach First and us to ensure that they are briefed on the latest research and can tailor their coaching to suit your needs.

When you complete your training, you will be awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) by Teach First.

You’ll also achieve your postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) from Teach First’s partner university meaning you’ll have a 60 credit Master’s level certificate in the study of education.

This programme is for future teachers looking for full-time ‘hands-on’ training in at least two schools that are close to your home. You’ll be in the classroom from September 2024 and benefit from the support of a trained mentor.

There can be few things as rewarding as making a tangible difference in shaping the lives of young people, inspiring and mentoring them to become the best they can be. If you want to become a teacher and have a real impact every day, this programme is for you.