2020 Teach First Official Applicants Thread

I applied for Religious Education in London/North West. @shaunagabrielaaahow long between your application and hearing about your assessment centre?

Reply 4

butterflyxgarden

Hey everyone,

I applied last night for English in the South East as my 1st choice. I currently live in Belfast, but am from Kent. I think I did well on my application, so here's hoping 🤞

Without getting too ahead of myself, I'm curious to know @laurenjade24 , what sort of referees did they ask of you? Does TF rigidly ask for referees from the last 2 year's? From experience, I've had people take a while to get back to me, or say no, so I've had to scramble for someone else. Best to ask around asap.

Reply 5

teacher2020

3

Hi there! I've applied for English in the West Midlands, and have my assessment centre next week! I'm super nervous because although I'm doing an English degree, the phone calls etc I've had with a recruiter seem to be pushing me towards teaching geography as I have an A-level in it 😔 I know teach first allocate places depending on the needs of schools, but I am so desperate to teach English! Does anyone know how likely it is to be allocated your first choice subject, especially when applying this early, or have any experience in changing subject once you have an offer? I'd be so gutted if I was allocated geography 😔

Reply 6

arco1989

6

I applied for primary a week ago now. I've not heard anything yet so I'm assuming it won't be good news

Reply 7

laurenjade24

OP

7

Original post by butterflyxgarden

Hey everyone,

I applied last night for English in the South East as my 1st choice. I currently live in Belfast, but am from Kent. I think I did well on my application, so here's hoping 🤞

Without getting too ahead of myself, I'm curious to know @laurenjade24 , what sort of referees did they ask of you? Does TF rigidly ask for referees from the last 2 year's? From experience, I've had people take a while to get back to me, or say no, so I've had to scramble for someone else. Best to ask around asap.

Hi @butterflyxgarden fingers crossed with your application I'm sure you did amazing! Honestly, I've not had the easiest ride with references myself so it's a valid question! They ask you for the 2 years previous for your offer, covering all dates, and if you have any gaps in employment/educational history you must provide character reference to comment on this. So yes, its very rigid, for example, e.g. no employment references can be given from a personal email address, but they do provide you with all the information you need to complete your reference request form, and there is always someone you can email for help (which I'm grateful for as they are honestly so understanding and helpful!)

Definitely ask around as soon as you have an offer as you are bound to time restrictions as well when you receive an offer. I hope that helps! Any other questions, I'm happy to help :smile:

Reply 8

rmelling07

3

Hi, I have my development centre on 2 August in London. I'm hoping to teach English at secondary in West Midlands. Do you have any advice for the development centre? I am doing loads of planning and preparation for the interview but need to wait for the classroom scenario before I can start planning that.Thank you,Rach

Reply 9

Hi everyone, I'm Zoe! I've applied to teach Secondary Science (Biology), hopefully in North West England. My Development Centre Day is on 13/08/2019, so only a month to go! Has anyone else been researching the curriculum for their first choice? Is that too optimistic of me? I hope to see some of you soon!

Reply 10

Original post by zoeellis

Hi everyone, I'm Zoe! I've applied to teach Secondary Science (Biology), hopefully in North West England. My Development Centre Day is on 13/08/2019, so only a month to go! Has anyone else been researching the curriculum for their first choice? Is that too optimistic of me? I hope to see some of you soon!

Hi! when did you apply? I’m still waiting to hear back and getting nervous...

Reply 11

Original post by bean32

Hi! when did you apply? I’m still waiting to hear back and getting nervous...

I applied on 01/07/2019, what about you? I'm sure you'll hear back, it's literally been 10 working days since I applied and I was so stressed :')

Reply 12

Original post by zoeellis

I applied on 01/07/2019, what about you? I'm sure you'll hear back, it's literally been 10 working days since I applied and I was so stressed :')

I applied on the 4th - thanks, that makes me less stressed!!

Reply 13

Original post by bean32

I applied on the 4th - thanks, that makes me less stressed!!

Yeah, you should hear next week then! Good luck! What are you hoping to teach?

Reply 14

Original post by zoeellis

Yeah, you should hear next week then! Good look! What are you hoping to teach?

Religious Education in London/North West

Reply 15

Original post by bean32

Religious Education in London/North West

Awesome! I'm sure you've done great and will hear something soon!

Reply 16

laurenjade24

OP

7

Original post by rmelling07

Hi, I have my development centre on 2 August in London. I'm hoping to teach English at secondary in West Midlands. Do you have any advice for the development centre? I am doing loads of planning and preparation for the interview but need to wait for the classroom scenario before I can start planning that.Thank you,Rach

Hey Rach! For obvious reasons you can't talk to much about the development centre, but trust me I was super nervous before I got there, but in the development centre everyone was so lovely, it was really welcoming and does put any nerves at ease. I know it sounds obvious but just be yourself, let your personality shine, input and communication is crucial and so is preparation, so make sure to prepare the best you can based on the advise Teach First give you in any email communications. I was most nervous about the lesson, but I honestly really enjoyed it! I'm sure you'll be absolutely great :smile:

Reply 17

arco1989

6

Original post by zoeellis

Hi everyone, I'm Zoe! I've applied to teach Secondary Science (Biology), hopefully in North West England. My Development Centre Day is on 13/08/2019, so only a month to go! Has anyone else been researching the curriculum for their first choice? Is that too optimistic of me? I hope to see some of you soon!

Hi Zoe, I'm Zoe too! I'm going to the assessment centre on the same day as you, mine starts at 9:45. Got my fingers crossed for primary in the East Midlands

Reply 18

FolkPixie

8

Hi Everyone!
I have my development centre day on 29th July! Getting a bit nervous, but doing as much prep as I can!
I'm hoping to teach primary in Yorkshire & Humber...

Out of interest is everyone fresh out of uni or is it a career change for you? I've been a full time mum for the last 3 years and it's been 5 years since I graduated from my MA so Im especially nervous about putting myself back out there!
Becky x

Reply 19