The expanding educational initiative Teach First was among 90 exhibitors to take part in the annual alternative careers event, The Works, held last week on the New Museums Site and organised by the University of Cambridge Careers Service.
A charity set up by US-born entrepreneur Brett Wigdortz in 2002, Teach First recruits high calibre graduates who are placed in challenged urban schools to raise aspirations. Launched in London, the scheme has recently expanded to the Midlands and North West. The first year saw 180 graduates take part: this year some 350 graduates from universities across the country will enlist for the scheme.
To date 124 Cambridge graduates have joined Teach First with those graduating from the programme going on into a range of careers. Many opt to stay in education. Among them is Mark Dalton, who graduated from Cambridge in 2003 and has remained at the South East London school where he did his Teach First placement. At the age of just 25, he has been made an assistant head.
Recruitment of University of Cambridge students for Teach First is handled by Gemma Edgcombe (pictured right), who studied Social and Political Sciences at New Hall, and went to a state school in Hertfordshire. She joined Teach First after graduating in 2005, and taught Citizenship at an inner city London school.
“What attracted me to Teach First was that it pitches you in at the deep end, and enables you to put something back into society while developing your own skills. It's a very steep learning curve which requires real commitment but it's a lot of fun too,” said Gemma.
“We're very keen to see more applicants from Cambridge and especially from graduates who can offer subjects that are in short supply in schools – such as maths, sciences and ICT. That said, we are careful to select only those who have the personal competence to thrive on the programme. It's not for everyone.”
Gemma spent two years teaching at St Marylebone C of E School, an all-girl multi-faith comprehensive in central London. She describes working in a school with a widely diverse intake as a roller coaster of highs and lows, with huge rewards in terms of job satisfaction. She said: “I'm missing the everyday interaction with pupils so much that I plan to return to teaching in September.”
Among the Cambridge undergraduates who will embark on the Teach First programme in July is Sarah Weiler (pictured centre), currently a fourth-year modern and medieval languages student at Newnham College. She said: “It's really important for more graduates to engage in education to give something back. It's a huge challenge but I'm looking forward to getting started. I have two years to get teenagers passionate about Spanish grammar!”
Researching his options at The Works last week was first-year classics student Farzin Mirshahi (Christ's College) (pictured left). He said: “What appeals to me about Teach First is that it offers an exciting and challenging environment to work in. You would gain valuable experience while having a great deal of fun.”
The success of the Teach First scheme has led to the establishment of a new strand of its programme. In a pilot project, bright by disadvantaged pupils at 20 schools and colleges in London will be mentored by Teach First Advocates who will support them to apply to top institutions.
A well-established and popular event on the Cambridge careers calendar, The Works attracts exhibitors ranging from charities such as Christian Aid and the RSPCA through programmes such as BUNAC and IVS to companies such as the Cooperative Group and Mott MacDonald.
Source: By University Of Cambridge
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