Developing with us

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Flexible training and expert support for all levels of school leadership. Boost your skills to better support your pupils and take your career to new heights.

  • Flexible programmes to step up your career
  • Designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged pupils
  • Evidence-based training that has a real impact
  • CV-boosting National Professional Qualifications (NPQ)
  • Open to teachers in all eligible schools
Two teachers standing back to back and smiling to the camera.
Together we’ll take your leadership to the next level, whether you’re in the classroom, a whole leadership team, or stepping into a headship. Unlock the potential of underprivileged pupils. 

Flexible programmes to step up your career

Our programmes will develop your school leadership potential and prepare you to take on more responsibility. You can either sharpen your skills at your current level or get ready for a move up.

Plus, we’re the only provider of a programme that supports the whole senior leadership team – Leading Together works alongside every member together to collectively drive improvement.

Our Careers Leaders Programme also gives you the chance to take charge of your school’s entire careers provision. This involves implementing a plan to boost careers education in all areas of school life and progress towards the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.

You’re never short of support on our programmes, which use a range of training methods, including:

  • training days that bring together Teach First mentors, education experts and other school leaders on your programme, away from day-to-day distractions
  • small online groups meeting regularly to discuss the latest learning, overseen by an expert mentor
  • online modules on our portal that you can fit around your day
  • regional networking events to help you connect with nearby leaders
Children drawing in art class while teacher watches
I have no doubt that the young people in our community will benefit for years to come from an excellent careers provision due to the valuable support we have received from Teach First.
Jake Armstrong,
Careers Leader programme participant

Designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged pupils

Great leaders build great schools. But schools in low income areas often have little spare time and even less money to develop leadership talent.

We need that to change because it unfairly impacts the life chances of the poorest young people. For example, only 33% of pupils eligible for free school meals achieve five good GCSEs compared to 60.5% overall.

But Ofsted has found that schools with effective leadership are ten times more likely to improve at their next inspection (download PDF). That’s why we want to help you fulfil your leadership potential.

Our programmes will build your resilience, adaptability and personal drive to tackle the specific challenges of your school. They’ll also help you to create, implement and review a plan that addresses those challenges.

Evidence-based training that has a real impact

Your training is built around the latest research by us and organisations such as Ofsted and the Department for Education (DfE), as well as best practice from education systems across the globe.

Since we started in 2003 we’ve had a positive impact on more than one million young people. We’ve seen what a difference great leadership and ongoing career development can make. By working in partnership with schools we’ve learned the best way to deliver training to support that.

Our leadership programmes focus on finding practical long-term solutions and support for the challenges your school faces. And you’ll come away with a school improvement strategies that you can monitor and measure.

I've found the support of the Achievement Partner to be most beneficial overall. Having a dedicated partner through the process has ensured a personal touch that is leading to greater impact.
Leading Together programme mentor

CV-boosting National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)

We’re one of a select group of organisations accredited by the DfE to provide NPQs and you can earn one on one of our middle leader, senior leader and headship school leaders programmes.

When it comes to school leadership, NPQs provide nationally recognised qualifications. So alongside enhancing your skills and experience, you’ll be strengthening your CV.

Open to teachers in all eligible schools
Every teacher in a Teach First partner school, or one that is eligible, can join our programmes. We want pupils in areas of greatest need to benefit from our resources.

All you have to do to apply is ask your headteacher to agree and be eager to take on more responsibility.

  • Schools are ten times more likely to improve at their next Ofsted inspection with effective leadership.
  • 93% of teachers say training tailored to their schools’ needs is the most effective.
  • 89% of people on our Leading Together Programme rate it good or even better.
  • 100% of our alumni would recommend our Careers Leaders programme to other schools.
If you have that drive to ensure you’re always improving, always thinking about your leadership qualities and skills, go for this programme – because it’s got a whole range of aspects that are supported. And it’s also a valued accreditation to have.
Kate Matthews,
Middle Leader programme participant
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