Teach First 2017

Hello, I have my assessment day in a few days and was wondering if anyone could give advice on the sample lesson? I'm quite nervous as I just don't know what to expect, especially with all the mixed reviews! Is it really difficult to get anything taught and do you automatically fail if you don't use up all the time or get stopped when unfinished. I know it's all about planning and preparation but I have no idea just how distracting the assessors will be....Thank you!

I think in general the sample lesson is more to see how you cope under class conditions/ how engaging, rather than if you can teach. As you only get 7 minutes they aren't expecting you to be able to teach the whole of the subject.

My main recommendation would be prepare to be distracted. Look up some positive behaviour management tips (I was applying for Primary so when the kids were distracted I put my hand in the air and counted to 5).

I would also do a activity which you can cut down if necessary - I prepared a activity with 6 questions - due to timings I only did one. It didn't matter though because they were none the wiser that I'd had to cut stuff out.

The assessors will stop you if you go over time. They have a clock in the room so you can see how much you have left - to stay in control I just said something like 'Okay that's all we have time for today'. When I practiced my lesson at home it was only about 4 minutes in length, as I left time for distractions.

After the lesson you have to answer some reflective questions. This is a great opportunity to state what you would do differently if for any reason anything does go wrong. They want people to acknowledge what needs to be improved, and what they did well.

Don't worry too much. The lesson was what I was most nervous for, but the part of the process I enjoyed the most.

I hope that helps

Great thank you! Yeah I'm applying for KS3 so I don't want to be too patronizing or too strict! Hoping instinct will kick in. Thanks for all your help! Were you successful? The more I look into it, the more I want it, but then the more nervous I get.

Great thank you! Yeah I'm applying for KS3 so I don't want to be too patronizing or too strict! Hoping instinct will kick in. Thanks for all your help! Were you successful? The more I look into it, the more I want it, but then the more nervous I get.

Hi everyone,

I'm Joseph and I'm on the Primary 2017 cohort! I also haven't even started my CKA (which I should really do) but it's great seeing lots of people are doing Primary

I had my assessment centre last week and found out I was rejected. Pretty angry at the moment, but they will give me feedback, so that will hopefully clarify things. I might not be correct, but I've been left with the feeling that they actually assess your interview skills and they judge by externals, rather than your real potential for teaching and leadership (saying this after loads of teaching and public speaking/leadership experience). I will have to toughen up and improve those interview skills (I prepared two examples for each competency, but the way they asked the questions just puzzled me sometimes and I even had to think of new examples on the spot). Not going to apply again for some time, but I have loads of other plans/ideas instead. Best of luck to everyone!

Yeah I was successful, really excited to start. Just need to find out my location now One of the girls who was at the assessment centre, said she thought one of the assessors was pretending to be a kid who had English as a second language. So maybe prepare for that?

What subject are you applying for?

It is quite nerve-wracking, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous on the day, but really all the assessors want is to see you succeed! As long as you show the competencies and make sure you make it clear to them that you know what the competencies are, you will be absolutely fine The day actually ends up being quite fun. Best of luck for it!

Congratulations! On the day RS but for the application if successful I'm eligible to teach either ICT or primary. Oh that seems tricky! Just going to hope for the best really. Adapted a little game and tried to get them as involved as possible. I'm nervous but getting excited. If all else fails at least it'll be an experience! Quick question though (sorry) you know the minute planning time, we have allocated is that in addition to the 7 minutes or included? And how would you advise I prepare for the group task? I've got examples for each of the competencies and tried to research the company and programme but now I'm stuck what to do...

Hey Joseph! Congrats on your offer The CKA is definitely quite a piece of work. Ended up doing a lot of mine in the last two days before the deadline and regretting doing it that way - never again! Get started early if you can do

Thank you I'm assuming you're doing primary right? How academic did you make your CKA; did you add lots of citations etc?

I'm sorry to hear you got rejected! The fact that they assess on competencies works out great for some people, and not for others. If you've got a lot of teaching experience, then you definitely have potential to be a teacher - shame they didn't let you on. But like you say, the feedback call will be really helpful. When I failed the first time, it really helped to clarify why I didn't get on and exactly which competencies they felt needed boosting and which sections let me down. And having that experience of the interview will help you if you do decide to apply again.

Good luck for whatever you choose to do now!

Thanks! I received the call last week and they were super nice. I got reassurance about my teaching, so at least that helped keep my confidence as a teacher.

Interestingly, their main problem wasn't the interview (that one went quite well actually), but the group task which I thought went better - not going to give away what they thought applicants should do more of, but it is all clear to me now. I can apply for the 2017 intake again, starting with the 8th August, so it might take one or two months (can't be bothered sooner than that - although never say never) and I could find myself applying for it again!