Teach On

Teach On is the network of support, guidance and professional development for the growing movement of Teach First ambassadors continuing to lead change in challenging schools in the UK. It is Teach First’s commitment to the lifelong development of its leaders and aims to enable ambassadors teaching and leading in these schools to close the gaps in achievement, aspirations and access to opportunities that exist between their pupils and their wealthier peers. We aim for every Teach First ambassador to have a transformative impact on the lives of every child within their reach as classroom teachers, school leaders and head teachers.

Social Entrepreneurship

"Social entrepreneurs will be one of the most important sources of innovation… Social entrepreneurs who deploy entrepreneurial skills for social ends are at… the most innovative edge of the voluntary sector."
The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur, Charles Leadbeater, 1997

The Social Entrepreneurship Programme provides quality training, networking, business skills and support for ambassadors interested in launching educational social ventures. Since 2002, Teach First ambassadors have set up 13 independent charities and social enterprises. Examples include Jamie's Farm and First Story.

This opportunity is ideal for ambassadors who have the desire and entrepreneurial spirit needed to set up new organisations aimed at addressing the social issues that students in Teach First schools face in their daily lives.

Policy First

Policy First is a forum for ambassadors to get involved with debates, focus groups, consultation with policy makers and a biannual policy publication – Lessons from the Front - written and edited by over 500 Teach First teachers working in schools in challenging circumstances. Policy First gives ambassadors a real opportunity to offer their unique insight into the challenges and opportunities they have witnessed during their time on the Teach First Leadership Development Programme, with the aim of helping to drive forward sustainable change in education and actually help shape education policy for the future.

Currently, teachers have few opportunities to feed into policy development in the UK – which means most education policy is created without input from those people who witness its implementation 'on the ground' in schools. While Teach First is an independent charity, through Policy First it seeks to create opportunities for its ambassadors to share their views with key decision makers and have a real impact and influence on education policy for the future.

Governance for Change

Governance for Change is an initiative that supports Teach First ambassadors who want to have a direct impact on the future success of a Teach First school from outside the classroom by becoming a school governor.

Volunteering as a governor is a meaningful way to influence long-term change in schools and gives ambassadors the opportunity to contribute their unique perspective and develop their leadership skills whilst maximising their long-term impact on addressing educational disadvantage by serving on a school governing body.

The Governance for Change initiative offers these ambassadors access to support and advice on the application process, ongoing training, and the opportunity to connect with a community of ambassador governors.

The Higher Education Access Programme for Schools (HEAPS)

HEAPS is a programme that improves pupil progression from Teach First schools and colleges into universities. This programme relies on the skills, commitment, passion and experience of Teach First ambassadors to mentor and support sixth-form students on their journey to university and offers opportunities to explore a range of careers and universities, including a four-day residential at Cambridge.

HEAPS won the 2010 London Education Partnership third sector 'Reaching Out' Award

Supporting Teach First

Ambassadors can also choose to support Teach First in various other ways. These talented and committed ambassadors can play a critical role in Teach First's sustainable growth by getting involved in a range of organisational activities. These include supporting recruitment of outstanding graduates, mentoring current participants in the classroom, engaging new sponsors for Teach First or offering direct financial support.

To find out more about the support and opportunities available to Teach First ambassadors, please contact the Ambassador Department on ambassadors@teachfirst.org.uk.