We work collaboratively with our partners to harness the skills and experience existing within schools to provide the right support structure for participants. We combine support from university tutors, Leadership Development Officers and school mentors to ensure you get the best from them.
Tutors
All Teach First participants work with one of our university partners towards a PGCE and QTS during their first year teaching. Teach First partners with the best Initial Teacher Training providers in the country to deliver top quality training.
School mentors
All our school partners use their own experience and expertise to get the best from our teachers. Our partner schools allocate mentors to assist with participants' development as a teacher. Teach First offers all mentors bespoke training to assist them in supporting participants, and to contribute to their own development too.
Leadership Development Officers (LDOs)
LDOs are Teach First employees who play a unique role in participants' development. They are all qualified teachers, and often Teach First ambassadors (alumni), providing invaluable experience of both the two year programme and the school context. LDOs support and challenge participants throughout the programme, helping them to reflect on and refine their teaching methods and develop new approaches.
In the first year, LDOs highlight development opportunities which will assist participants during their first year in teaching. They also work with university partners and mentors to provide support towards achievement of their PGCE.
In the second year participants set ambitious visions and goals outlining the progress they intend to make with their pupils. LDOs use coaching techniques and a problem solving approach to support and challenge participants to achieve their aims.
