What to expect at our Development Centre

If your online application for our Training Programme is successful you will be invited to attend our Development Centre. You will be given the choice to join a virtual or in-person day.

Unlike an assessment centre, a Development Centre is not just about the skills you have right now – it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your potential to learn and develop further.

The focus of the day will be you and your development. You’ll complete a series of exercises that will allow us to understand your strengths and your areas for development. We’ll share this with you as live, actionable feedback that will help you improve your performance – throughout the day and over the longer term. This will allow you to adapt and improve your performance as you progress, and ensure your key strengths get the space to shine.

Although the focus is on your development, it is a selection day. To ensure a fair process for everyone, your assessors in the Development Centre will not have seen your application. This means we’ll select participants for the programme based on the behaviours and potential you demonstrate on the day.

Your recruiter will also be in touch before your Development Centre to talk through the day in more detail, as well as to answer any questions you might have. You can reach out to them at any point to discuss it in more depth.

Our Development Centre

The day is comprised of the following elements, including a competency-based interview, a group case study with self-evaluation and a teaching episode with self-evaluation. All activities have associated pre-reading or work to complete, it is important you look out for this to ensure you are ready to take part in the day.

1. Competency-based interview

You will have a one-on-one interview with an assessor, focusing on how you can demonstrate our competencies. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have.

Seven days before the interview you will be emailed access to the pre-work document on the portal. This will include a section with more details about the Training Programme for you to review . You will be asked to reflect on this as part of your interview.

2. Case study and self-evaluation

You will be placed in a group of up to six candidates to work together to discuss a realistic school-based scenario.

Following the discussion you will complete a verbal self-evaluation of the task to reflect on your performance.

Seven days before you attend you will be emailed access to the pre-work document on the portal. Within that document will be a section about the Case Study with information for you to read in advance and a question for you to prepare your thoughts on ready to share with your group on the day. More information for the rest of the task will be given to you on the day.

3. Sample teaching episode and self-evaluation

You will be asked to deliver a pre-prepared four-minute teaching episode. The assessors will be looking for you to demonstrate your ability to communicate your topic in an appropriate and creative manner. Once your teaching episode is over, our assessors will give you feedback to incorporate into a second delivery of the task. You will then re-deliver your teaching exercise with this feedback in mind.

Seven days before your Development Centre you will be emailed access to the pre-work document on the portal. This will include detailed information and guidance on the sample teaching episode you’ll teach on the day.

Once you know the ‘title’ of your teaching episode, give yourself time to prepare: do your research, prepare any materials and practise on friends and family to get an idea of your timings. Think about the teaching episode from a pupil’s perspective when planning your content. It's best to remember that this isn't a 'presentation', but a teaching episode to engage and inspire.

Remember that your self-evaluation after the teaching episode is also being assessed and is just as important for your final result.

4. Feedback after your Development Centre

At Teach First, we are committed to developing and supporting you as you progress through your journey.  We want all our candidates to receive feedback and to spend time reflecting on their performance. You will receive a personalised written feedback report via email within 30 days of your Development Centre. This will include some feedback about your performance in each competency, and more detailed personalised comments from each of your assessors. We hope that this provides you with valuable insight and ensures you continue to benefit from your experience with us. 

Frequently asked questions

Do you require adjustments at the Development Centre?

Reasonable adjustments

We’re committed to ensuring that all applicants to our programme are treated fairly and with respect, we value diversity and welcome people of every gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, race, religion, belief or disability.

We can make adjustments for applicants who are neurodiverse or have disabilities or health conditions that impact the way that they access and interpret information. If you would like us to tailor your assessments to accommodate reasonable adjustments or if you have any questions, please contact  dc@teachfirst.org.uk.

If you have already shared this information when registering for a Development Centre, we will be in contact in the 7 days ahead of your confirmed date.

Information you share is treated with complete confidentiality and used to help us arrange any adjustments to your selection process.  

Common mistakes at the Development Centre

Our assessors have listed some common mistakes candidates make in preparation for and at their Development Centre. Take some time to reflect on the below, and think how you'd avoid them:

• Not being yourself: Nerves and a desire to impress can lead to an exaggerated representation of your personality. Consciously adopting behaviours you believe we are looking for or trying to emulate your favourite teacher is likely to backfire and appear rehearsed or unnatural. 
  
  Our highly skilled assessors are trained to identify talent and potential. We want to meet the real you and to understand what you uniquely bring so try not to overthink your actions and be yourself.
• Not doing your homework: Lack of preparation can undermine an otherwise strong performance in areas that can be easily addressed ahead of the Development Centre. Be sure to use the resources on our website and the support of our recruiters effectively. We want to know that you understand what sets us apart and to hear your story. We recommend you fully consider what each competency entails and how it would manifest itself in a teaching role? How have your experiences so far enabled you to develop within these areas?
  
  A week before your Development Centre you will receive an email with key information,  please read this carefully and complete all the requested pre-work – there will be work for the Interview, the Case Study and the Teaching Episode. Travel expenses must be emailed within 5 working days of your Development Centre if attending an in-person day.
• Not considering your audience: When planning a teaching episode don’t just focus on your delivery, consider the actions of the pupils and their learning. It is important to consider the age group you are planning for and their likely interests.
  
  Ask yourself some key questions – Do I have an understanding of what this age group is like? Have I considered their enjoyment of the content? How will I know if they are on track?

There are many online resources that can support your planning and you may find it helpful to research best practice, particularly if you are unfamiliar with recommended teaching and learning strategies and/or approaches to classroom management.

Ready to apply?

Applications to join our 2025 Training Programme are open.

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