|
Question 1. Will I be able to continue teaching straight after my two-year placement?
 Answer. Yes. Once you gain your qualified teacher status (QTS)and pass your induction year, you will be qualified to work in all schools across England and Wales. You will have the opportunity to discuss with your head teacher what opportunities are available in the school you are placed. In addition, you can apply to work in any other school with a teaching vacancy. If you choose to remain teaching in a challenging school, there may also be an option of completing a third year of the Teach First programme.
Question 2. Can I leave teaching and return later in life?
Answer. Yes. Even decades later, you may decide that teaching is the best career for you. With your completed qualified teacher status, you will always have the security to be able to return to the teaching profession.
Question 3. Will I be able to teach in Ireland or Scotland after Teach First?
Answer. On completing the Teach First programme, you would hold qualified teacher status. This qualification is accepted in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a standard teaching qualification, but not currently in Scotland or the Republic of Ireland.
In Scotland, the Scottish Education Authority would ask that you complete a form, which asks you to detail all of your academic qualifications, including your teaching qualifications and teaching experience. They are looking to see whether you have the right level of subject knowledge for the area you want to teach and a minimum of 6 years teaching experience, before they will register you as a teacher.
The assessment is done on a case-by-case scenario, you may want to give the General Teaching Council of Scotland a call to find out more. Their number is 0131 314 6045, and their website can be found at www.gtcs.org.uk
In the Republic of Ireland, a similar process exists, whereby on receipt of your application you will be assessed to ascertain that you have the correct requirements for teaching. Please contact the Department for Education and Science on www.education.ie, or telephone 00353 1873 4700.
Question 4. Will I be able to teach in primary schools after Teach First?
Answer. The Teach First programme offers structured training to gain a recognised teaching qualification, qualified teacher status (QTS). Once you have gained QTS and have competed your second (induction) year in school, you will be free to teach to any age range of children. If you are specifically interested in teaching primary children, you will need to demonstrate to a prospective employer that you have the ability and knowledge to teach to a different audience, and that you have an understanding of a different curriculum.
There are a number of training courses and study books to help you make the transition between teaching key stage 3 and 4 in secondary schools and primary key stages, and once you have decided to teach to this age range, we will be happy to put you in touch with the relevant personnel who will advise you further. You may also want to consider contacting the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 for further information.
Question 5. Am I guaranteed a job with one of the supporting companies at the end of the programme?
Answer. Like any training scheme, no job is guaranteed and is determined, to a degree, by the amount of work you put into finding and securing it! However, our many sponsors recognise that Teach First Ambassadors will have gained invaluable experience and skills and, as we have already seen, many of them are actively looking to recruit Teach First participants at the end of the two years. They believe participation in the programme will equip you to succeed in your chosen profession and improve your chances of gaining employment there.
Question 6. What kind of support will Teach First provide for ambassadors of the programme?
Answer. On graduating from the programme, all those that have met the Teach First Expectations as outlined at the start will become part of a growing network of Teach First "ambassadors". This network is supported by Teach First through its unique Teach First Ambassadors Programme - a programme of events and online activity committed to equipping, inspiring and supporting you to keep in touch with one another in the years to come and, importantly, to continuing the work that you have started to address educational disadvantage in London, North West and Midlands!
|
