STEM Insight Intern Review
at Teach First
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Teaching
London
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.2 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Experience
4.3/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Company Culture
4.5/5
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Overall Experience
4/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
We spent one week in Teach First's Corporate Office in East London and the second week at our placement school - various places around the country were chosen however, I was based in London. The first week was focused on learning about Teach First's mission - to end educational inequality in the UK through the provision of high quality teachers. The second week was based around applying the skills we had learnt in the first week in a classroom environment.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
There was a comprehensive introduction to the Teach First programme and how the two year development programmes works.
I felt as though the second week, which was significantly tougher in terms of the support we were given, was a closer reflection of how life as a Teach First participant works. This is unsurprising as ultimately the role of a teacher is difficult, but it did not match up with the relatively cordial atmosphere during the first week.
I felt as though the second week, which was significantly tougher in terms of the support we were given, was a closer reflection of how life as a Teach First participant works. This is unsurprising as ultimately the role of a teacher is difficult, but it did not match up with the relatively cordial atmosphere during the first week.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
4/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
It helped me after my degree but not so much during it. The development week was great because we were able to network with partner employers, so we gained exposure to not just teaching but other professions in the corporate world. That said, I am still intent on a career in teaching only.
There were skills in networking delivered through workshops with Teach First's partner employers. This helped me to converse with a range of stakeholders.
There were skills in networking delivered through workshops with Teach First's partner employers. This helped me to converse with a range of stakeholders.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
4/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
3/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
It was a good insight into what Teach First stand for - to reduce educational inequalities. However, I feel as though some of the more controversial aspects of Teach First - including their partnerships with the corporate sector - were glossed over a bit for obvious reasons. However, I suppose that they need support from the private sector.
The general atmosphere was very good because we did not consider ourselves in competition with each other, unlike in other internships.
The general atmosphere was very good because we did not consider ourselves in competition with each other, unlike in other internships.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
4/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
4/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
4/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I enjoyed the insight very much - it gave me a good idea about teaching as a profession and the values of Teach First in particular. There was a lot of networking and socialising with partner employers as well. Moreover, most participants were like minded and this fostered a sense of common purpose.
There were a lot of different backgrounds among the participants - which was good because it was reflective of Teach First's mission in the education sector.
There were a lot of different backgrounds among the participants - which was good because it was reflective of Teach First's mission in the education sector.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
4/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid and reimbursed expenses
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at Teach First
4/5
Would you recommend Teach First to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Teach First
Try to emphasize why you want to be on the Two Year Leadership Development Programme in terms of your passion for teaching and that you are not in it as a way to use it as a springboard for a different career outside of the education sector. It would help if you think of examples of how you have displayed a positive attitude to reducing educational inequality. Experiences such as tutoring disadvantaged students look really good.
