Training more of tomorrow's teachers with Teach First

Over 350 new teachers will be placed in Yorkshire and Humberside schools and trained to become outstanding teachers of the future, thanks to Sheffield Hallam University becoming the Regional Training Provider for Teach First.

The University has been awarded a contract to train over 100 postgraduates a year for three years with Teach First, the charity that trains and supports people with leadership potential to become inspirational teachers in schools in low income communities across the UK.  The charity is working to break the link between poor academic attainment and low socio-economic background.  

Participants will achieve Qualified Teacher Status and complete a Leadership Development Programme to further develop their skills. Sheffield Hallam will be the initial teacher training provider in Yorkshire and the Humber for both primary and secondary participants - one of only nine such providers in the UK. This is a continuation of the University's partnership with Teach First, which began more than three years ago.

The Initial Teacher Training forms part of the two-year Teach First Leadership Development Programme which combines working, training and qualifying as a teacher with coaching and mentoring to develop leadership skills. Participants teach in schools for a minimum of two years and during that time, work with pupils to raise their academic achievement and increase their aspirations for the future.

During their first year, participants work towards achievement of a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status. Each participant is also assigned a Leadership Development Officer (LDO) - a qualified teacher who acts as a central point of contact and support during the two years.

Joshua Fisher enrolled on the Teach First programme at Sheffield Hallam University in 2011 and was placed in Newfield School. He was awarded his PGCE in July 2012 and was rated as 'outstanding'. He has since been made Acting Head of History in his school and has found the Teach First experience to be an ideal way in to the teaching profession.

Joshua said: "I only had one thing in mind when I graduated, and that was to teach. It was something that I had always been working towards. For me, getting straight in to the classroom was crucial.

"Teach First is aspirational in its aims and instils in you that you can make a difference to children’s lives. The Leadership Development Programme is well thought out and carefully constructed. I had a teacher mentoring me throughout my first year, but I was also assigned a University tutor who was in constant contact with me as I worked towards my PGCE. For me it was the best of both worlds, I was a full-time teacher gaining real hands on experience and this, coupled with a first rate tutor who helped me master the theory of teaching quickly, ensured that I could effectively deliver  in the classroom.

"The experience has been excellent and was the perfect way for me to further my career quickly. The knowledge and skills I have developed are bearing fruit and this is largely down to the great work of my school, Teach First and of course Sheffield Hallam University."   

Paul Dickinson, Head of Teacher Education at Sheffield Hallam University said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Teach First to train teachers and leaders of the future. It is an excellent way to get into teaching and it offers huge benefits to the schools where students are placed. The most recent Ofsted report for our provision of Teach First graded every category as ‘Outstanding’ and we are committed to retaining such excellent external recognition.

"We are rightly proud of all our courses and of our research in education and this contract is further recognition of our significant strength in the field of Teacher Education. Sheffield Hallam is privileged to be able to work with tomorrow's educators, who will have a huge impact on the communities in which they work and the individuals that they teach."

For press information contact: Lorna Branton on 0114 225 5104 or email l.branton@shu.ac.uk