Our LD Programme

Your Teaching Qualification

By joining Teach First you are committing to work towards a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) during your first year on the Leadership Development Programme – a qualification that means, whatever you decide to do after Teach First, you will be able to return to teaching in the future.

Starting out

You’ll start as an unqualified teacher, teaching a slightly reduced timetable, and your progress will be continually monitored and supported by your school mentors, tutors and your Teach First Leadership Development Officer (LDO). By teaching and reflecting on the experience and participating in ongoing leadership development training from Teach First, you’ll develop the skills and behaviours that will earn your teaching qualification.

Achieving the qualification

The award is based on you having developed a file of evidence which is reviewed at the end of year one of the programme. It will include four written assignments (two of which will be at Masters level), weekly written reflections in a journal, observations and a final external assessment.

Newly Qualified Teacher

In your second year you will teach as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT), which will allow you to participate in your school’s induction programme – usually featuring further training, orientations and conferences. You will also continue to be closely supported by your mentors, tutors and Teach First.