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The Teach First Summer Project Programme is now closed for this year. Recruitment for 2009 will begin in early February.
>> Download the Summer Projects Brochure as a PDF
Due to the national expansion of the charity, we are looking to source over 220 projects this year from supporting organisations in London, the Midlands and North West. To find our more about the programme or submit a project, please review the information below.
Make your ideas a reality and help our schools at the same time!Teach First Summer Projects provide organisations large and small with the opportunity to use some of Britain’s brightest and most motivated graduates to help research, develop and implement projects and work in your organisation. In doing so you will also help them to develop valuable transferable skills which will help them to effect change in many of the UK’s most underprivileged secondary schools.
In the last four years, well over 450 Summer Projects have been made available to Teach First participants by businesses, educational establishments, non-profit organisations and Government departments involved in the scheme. All of the following have taken part and seen benefits in achieving project goals and graduate recruitment: Accenture, BBC; British Council; British Film Institute; Credit Suisse; DCSF; Deloitte; EMI; Freshfields; Google; HSBC; Roundhouse Theatre; Save the Children and The Science Museum.
This year we are fortunate to welcome five participants, from our sister organisation, The Youth to School Foundation, an Estonian organisation similar to Teach First. The Estonian participants will also have just completed their first year of teaching and will be hoping to gain experience of working in a UK based organisation for their summer project. As these participants are on an Estonian local wage we would ask providers of these summer projects to pay for their room and board.
ObjectiveTeach First participants are expected to complete a short piece of work of value to the participating organisation, working either individually or in teams. The project could involve a piece of analysis, research, ideas-generation or the planning of an event and should last up to three weeks during August. As an alternative, participants may shadow a suitable staff member for one week. Whilst the key concern is to ensure that participating organisations achieve their project goals, participants hope that doing a project will increase their familiarity with an organisation, its employees and the broader industry for the benefit of both their pupils and their own long-term careers inside or outside of education.
How does it work?
Numbers: The number of projects you submit and participants you take on is at your discretion. Participants may be placed individually or in teams.
Timing: Projects should last up to 2 to 3 weeks during August 2008 and work-shadowing opportunities for 1 week.
Location: Although most projects tend to be located in the regions where we place teachers (London, the Midlands and the North West), participants may be open to traveling further for a compelling project. However, this is not guaranteed.
Recruitment and selection: Recruitment and selection processes are at the discretion of the project provider, though we ask that all project providers agree to follow a set timeline for the interview and offer stages. Once a project has been submitted to Teach First, it is advertised to participants on the Teach First extranet, a secure internal website. Participants interested in the project will apply directly to you, after which they can be interviewed outside of teaching hours either in person or by telephone.
Deadline: Please submit your projects to Teach First by 4pm on Friday 2nd May. Late submissions may result in a poor response rate, since participants will be keen to apply for Summer Projects right away. To view all key dates and actions click here.
Sign up: To find out more and sign up, click here, or contact the London team on 0207 517 2727, the Midlands team on 0121 500 0764 or the North West team on 0161 234 0073, or email: summerprojects@teachfirst.org.uk.
Employer Questions
When can I interview Teach First participants?
Interviews can be arranged at your discretion. However, we do ask you to keep in mind that our graduates are full-time teachers with commitments to their schools. We would be grateful therefore if you would schedule interviews outside of school hours or during their half term (26th - 30th May).
How much support will the participant need?
Teach First participants have developed a reputation for their motivation, commitment and professionalism. However, if you are the manager responsible for the placement, we ask that you have a regular time slots (i.e. once a week for longer placements) available to discuss your expectations of their work, provide clear project guidelines, give them feedback and answer their questions. This will help ensure that all parties get the most value from the project.
Do I need to pay the participants?
We request that employers cover participants travel expenses. Additional pay for project work is at your discretion. Whilst Teach First does not set the expectation amongst participants that they will get paid, a number of project providers have made the decision to do this or to pay a small bonus on completion. Please note that Estonian participants will need the cost of room and board to be provided.
What happens if the placement is not filled?
Each year, a small number of summer projects are not filled satisfactorily during the first round of applications. As a result, Teach First runs a clearing round giving you the opportunity to re-advertise your project not only to participants of the ‘07 cohort, but to those in the ‘06 intake (many of whom are about to leave their schools and are thinking about future careers), as well as Ambassadors (alumni) of the programme. Please be aware that even following the clearing round there is a possibility that the placement may not be filled.
>> Submit your 2008 Teach First Summer Project
>> Download the Summer Projects Brochure as a PDF
Key ContactsPlease do not hesitate to contact the Teach First Staff Team to discuss any aspect of the Summer Projects.
National
[Please contact with general queries relating to summer projects across all regions, or regarding the Estonian participant involvement]
Laura Donovan
Associate Director of National Leadership Development
ldonovan@teachfirst.org.uk
0207 517 2743
London
Hazel Cummings
Leadership Development Officer
hcummings@teachfirst.org.uk
0207 517 2727
Midlands
Jo Graham
Senior Leadership Development Officer
jgraham@teachfirst.org.uk
0121 500 0764
North West
Matt Horine
Leadership Development Officer
mhorine@teachfirst.org.uk
0161 234 0073
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What employers say about Summer Projects
"Katherine has made a significant contribution to our work and through the project scoping and research we now have some concrete ways forward."
Sarah Biagetti (NESTA)
"We were impressed with Matt's self-starting energy and willingness to take responsibility. We hope he applies to TfL's Graduate programme after completing Teach First."
Will Judge (Transport for London)
"...he got up to speed incredibly quickly and was happy to take on any tasks. The internship has probably saved us 5-7 days net time."
David Robinson (Credit Suisse)
"Amrat was of a very high calibre, personable, very professional and extremely bright."
Elaine Bromberg (HSBC Bank Plc)
"The skills Teach First participants gain - team working, improved communication skills and ability to plan projects, motivate people and solve problems - are the abilities that we look for in individuals we recruit."
Sarah Shillingford (Deloitte) |
