Get matched with a corporate coach who will work with you to help you reach your personal and professional goals. 

The coaching relationship lasts for one year, with frequency and length of sessions to be agreed between you and your coach. This year’s coaches come from a variety of our corporate funding partners and Teach First supporters, including: NP Paribas, Deloitte, DHL, Goldman Sachs, IG Group, Ørsted, and Zurich.

All coaches go through bespoke training from our partners Good Foot and conscious coaching training from diversity and inclusion specialists Simms Coaching and Consulting. 

Please note you must be a current Teach First programme member or a Teach First ambassador still in teaching to apply.  

Get professional coaching

• Free programme for Teach First programme members and school leaders.
• Work with an experienced corporate coach.
• One-to-one sessions tailored to your needs.
• Fits around your schedule.

How it works 

We match successful applicants with a coach from one of our corporate partners. You will then work with your coach over the school year, during regular one-to-one online sessions.

How a coach can help you 

Your coach will offer up their expertise, time and commitment to help you develop your professional and personal goals, as well as address the challenges you face in school. You will work with your coach to determine what to cover in your sessions to make sure that they are relevant to your needs. 

Why work with a corporate coach?

Previous coachees have found it beneficial to work with a coach who is not connected to their school or the Teach First programme they are on. Being coached by someone from outside of the sector:

• allows you time and space away from school to consider challenges and solutions​
• provides a confidential safe space to work through any areas of concern​
• helps empower and hold you to account as you work towards your goals.

What do previous coachees say?

Amanda Debrah (English Teacher at Oasis Academy Shirley Park) says:

“I was matched with a coach who is extremely personable, professional and kind which means I always felt comfortable expressing my future goals and ambitions. He helped me to create a career map and plan how I would implement a debating club in my school. He was really patient with me to help me to map out my forward plan and actions to turn my ambition into a reality! I appreciate having such a lovely coach as he goes above and beyond to listen to me… thank you for matching us!”

Nerys Steventon (Careers Lead at Adelaide School) says:

“This year I moved into a new role which I am shaping myself as I go along. A lot of the time I am working very much on my own and there isn’t really anyone internally to go to for support, which is why I was interested in coaching. My coach – Jo – has been amazing, so friendly and really put me at ease. She’s also super supportive and has given me great strategies to use. It has been amazing to be able to waffle on to Jo. She listens, then asks questions to help me to come up with strategies that I can use to deal with issues. I find myself thinking "what would Jo say here". I now have a range of strategies that I can use and I am trying to be kinder to myself. I would just like to express my appreciation for this opportunity - it has been invaluable to me. Thank you.”

As a coachee, you’ll get: 

• bespoke one-to-one sessions with a corporate coach 
• year-round support and regular email bulletins from us  
• materials to help you get the most out of your coaching sessions. 

To get a coach you'll need:  

• to be a current Teach First programme member or Teach First ambassador

• to commit to preparing for and attending regular coaching sessions (date and time to be agreed with your coach)

• to complete a mandatory module on our online learning platform, Brightspace, after submitting your application.

If you have any questions contact our team. 

Support teachers and leaders in schools facing the toughest challenges through one-to-one coaching sessions.

Why become a coach?

• Help guide teachers who serve disadvantaged communities.
• Receive expert training and expand your skills as a coach.
• Pass on your professional expertise and develop rewarding relationships.
• Year-round support and access to our ambassador network.

How it works 

We match you with a teacher or school leader, depending on your previous coaching experience.  We welcome both experienced coaches and those new to coaching. All coaches take part in specialist training in coaching techniques with our partner Goodfoot before the programme starts. You will then work with your coachee over the next year via regular one-to-one online sessions.

How you can make a difference

Our teachers and school leaders work in schools serving low-income communities. As a coach, you can help them make an even greater difference to the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK. Your expertise, time and commitment will help our teachers develop their professional goals, as well as address the challenges they face in school.  

As a coach, you’ll get: 

• bespoke, high-quality training on a range of professional coaching techniques from experts in the field 
• year-round support and regular newsletters with stories from the coaching community 
• insight into the impact our teachers make and how you’ve helped them achieve this. 

To be a coach you'll need: 

• over three years’ experience working in a professional environment 
• willingness to learn and develop the use of coaching techniques to support teachers 
• commitment to preparing for and leading regular coaching sessions (date and time to be agreed with your coachee) 
• commitment to our vision that no child’s educational success should be limited by their background.   

Apply to be a coach

Applications are now closed for 2023.

Make sure to tell us about your skills and experience that would make you a great coach. This is to ensure we can match you with the right teacher or school leader. Our team may also email you with further questions and information. 

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited by email to one of our online live coach training events. Applications are first-come, first-served with priority given to employees of companies that are current Teach First funders. Returning coaches will be invited to complete a refresher training module.   

Please note applications are first-come, first-served, with priority given to employees of companies that are current Teach First partners.

If you have any questions, please contact our team at coaching@teachfirst.org.uk.

For more information about becoming one of our funders/partner organisations please contact our Corporate Partnership team at corporatepartnerships@teachfirst.org.uk.