About Teach First

History & Mission

Just 16% of young people eligible for free school meals progress to university, compared with 96% of those from independent schools. We think that is an unacceptable and shameful disparity.

Research shows that high-quality teaching has the power to undermine this correlation and provide children with the opportunity to fulfil their potential, regardless of their family’s wealth. In 2002, a McKinsey report into education in London underlined the impact of wealth on achievement and the vital role played by excellent teachers. But it also highlighted that many schools facing challenging circumstances – the very places where excellent, inspirational teachers could make the most difference – struggle to recruit teachers. In response, it proposed an innovative new strategy for teacher recruitment and training that would seek to attract graduates who might not otherwise have considered teaching and place them in schools facing challenging circumstances.

Teach First is the realisation of that strategy, founded in 2002 as a charity with a mission to address educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields.

Teach First offers an exceptional two-year Leadership Development Programme that focuses on the achievements and aspirations of pupils and their access to further opportunities both in education and beyond. With high quality training, supportive coaching and ongoing initiatives, Teach First provides a unique platform of skills and experience to take forward into any career. Beyond the initial two years, graduates continue to support the mission through their work as part of the Teach First ambassador network.

In 2011, Ofsted rated Teach First’s initial teacher training provision ‘Outstanding’ in all 44 areas evaluated, and reported that “the quality of the participants is exceptional, particularly their personal characteristics…self-motivation, reflection and commitment… to addressing educational disadvantage.”

Read more on the main Teach First website.