About Teach First:

Teach First is a charity that believes education is the most powerful tool to help a child fulfil their potential. Together, let’s power this potential.

• We find and train teachers to work in the schools that need them most
• We equip school leaders with evidence-led training.
• We support local teacher training providers.
• We connect pupils to work experience placements.
• We champion careers education.
• We plug leaders into supportive, professional networks.
• We campaign to end educational inequality.

We’re looking for people ready to:

• Connect – We’ll work together to take us closer to a better future.
• Grow – Unlock your potential.
• Perform – We focus on outcomes and how you contribute to our mission.

Our Principles:

Our work takes us where the challenge is greatest, and so does our culture.  

That’s where our principles come in. They underpin our culture and identify and inform everything we do as we fight to make our education system work for every child. Our six principles are as follows:

1. We speak up 

We’re open, honest and transparent. We speak our mind and expect the same from others.

2. We take ownership 

We don’t wait for permission, we get things done. We move quickly and learn as we go.

3. We trust each other 

We trust and enable each other to make good decisions through simplicity and clarity.

4. We are focused 

We concentrate on where we make the most difference.

5. We are present 

We seek to understand the experience of those we work with and for.

6. We succeed together

We are one charity. We help each other succeed.

Spotted the tensions between some of our principles?  

Yes, sometimes we’ll need to talk these tensions through, to find the right balance between challenge, freedom and responsibility.

We’re working together to create an environment where we feel safe and able to do this.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

Our challenge is to unlock the potential in all our children, not just some. To rise to it, together we’re creating a culture where everyone, from any background, can do their best work.

Having a diverse team means we get a variety of views and make better decisions. This connects us to the communities we serve and that’s how we’ll build a fairer education for all.

Read more about diversity and inclusion at Teach First.

What you’ll notice when you apply with us

Application 

We ask you to remove all identifying from your cover letter and CV.

Why? We want to assess your application based on what you’ve told us, your experience and potential.

Shortlisting

We insist on diverse interview shortlists so we can build a workplace that reflects the community we live in.  For Level 3, 4 and 5 vacancies, at least 25% of candidates must be from historically under-represented groups.

We know we need more diversity at our most senior levels. That’s why for Level 6 vacancies, we insist on at least 50% of candidates being from historically under-represented groups.

We are a disability confident employer, so as long as you meet the essential criteria on the job description, you will be guaranteed an interview.

Interview 

We’ll send you the interview questions in advance so you can prepare and perform at your best.

Our interview panels are diverse in gender identify and ethnicity. Everyone who interviews has completed our Inclusive Hiring training to ensure we hire the best and most diverse talent.

Find out more from our Director of People and Culture, Jay Nash.

Our Affinity Groups

We believe in the power of networks to improve outcomes for individuals and drive change.

Our affinity groups are made up of colleagues connected by similar interests, backgrounds, and experiences with a focus on creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Groups hold regular events, safe spaces and talks to create community and connection.

• Current affinity groups:
• LGBTQ+
• BAME
• Working Families
• Woman’s Network
• Neurodiversity and Disability Network
• Socio-economic Class Network

Benefits

We believe in living and working well and have lots of benefits to help you do this.

Teach First’s core benefits include 27 days holiday per annum (3 of which must be taken during the holiday shutdown period between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day), participation in the pension scheme via Salary Exchange (with an employer contribution of up to 6%), life assurance, income protection and private healthcare. Through our flexible benefits platform access to interest free travel season ticket loan, subsidised dental membership, health screening, discounted gym membership, travel insurance and Give as You Earn.

You can learn about all our benefits, including our Agile Working policy (which gives you control over how and where you work) on our website.