Locations & benefits

London

Achievement gap

London is a centre of ethnic diversity in the UK, with a very high percentage of students whose first language is known or believed to be other than English. London is also an economic capital, with a large proportion of the working population in managerial or professional occupations. However, wealth exists alongside high unemployment, highlighting the socio-economic mix that makes up the capital. Inner London in particular has a high average of children who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM): 35%. Despite this, inner London has the lowest gap between the achievement of its FSM and non-FSM students at GCSE level using the 5 A* to C indicator.

In London, Local Authorities correspond to the boundaries of London boroughs and are often discussed in two groups: ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ London. There are 13 inner London, and 19 outer London LAs.

Local Authorities with Teach First placements (past and present)	FSM eligibility	Students who’s first language is known or believed to be other than English	5 A* to C grades at GCSE (including English and Maths)			% point gap between FSM and non-FSM GCSE attainment (5 A*-C including E&M)
			Local Authority average	FSM eligible students	Non-FSM students
North East London	29%	43%	46%	32%	50%	18
South East London	20%	22%	47%	30%	51%	20
South West London	23%	38%	49%	34%	54%	20
North West London	27%	46%	50%	39%	54%	15

Click here for a list of the London schools we are currently working with.

Snapshot

Owing to the high cost of living, participants tend to live outside central London –(often in shared flats), although 80% of London allocations are also in underground zones 3-6. London is where Teach First was first launched in 2003 and is home to the largest family of Teach First cohorts. The large size of the cohorts and events in London means our teachers benefit from unparalleled social and networking opportunities.

In London there is an opportunity to complete a Masters – both the QTS regional assignments are delivered at Masters level. If you choose to complete additional university modules, you can earn an MA Leadership (Teach First) from the Institute of Education.

A few fun facts about this region:

• Each week, the 409 escalators of the London underground cover a distance equivalent to several trips around the globe
• There are over two miles of passages in the Houses of Parliament
• 46 other places are named after London
• It is difficult to retain teachers in London – high property prices often mean teachers are unable to afford to buy their own houses, forcing them to leave the city.
• London will be the first city to host the Olympic Games three times (1908, 1948 and 2012).
• Annual expenditure of tourists in London is around £15billion
• Greater London covers an area of 607 square miles.

Subjects we place in this region

Art, Business, Citizenship, Design Technology, English, Geography, History, ICT, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Religious Education, Science and Primary.

Find us on the map

Registered Address and office of CEO, Operations, National and London Leadership Development

14 Heron Quay
Canary Wharf
London
E14 4JB

Tel: 0844 880 1800
Fax: 020 7900 3304