Giving pupils new opportunities

Luke, history and politics teacher at Uxbridge High School, details his journey on the Teach First Training Programme and what he’s discovered.

My journey into teaching

In 2020 I attended a Bright Network Internship Experience, where I learned more about the opportunities offered within the education sector, including Teach First.

It lit a spark of interest. Could I become a teacher?

One of my best friends had always wanted to become a teacher. She inspired me to make the leap and apply.

The classroom is your stage

Completing the Virtual Assessment Centre showed me how much I enjoyed activities related to teaching. The teaching session pushed me outside of my comfort zone and made me realise how creative I am, as well as how much of Teach First’s values align with my own. 

I’d always liked the idea of doing something theatrical and, in a way, the classroom is like your very own stage. Teaching gives you the opportunity to perform and perfect your own pedagogy to get each young person engaged in your subject.  

Summer Institute

I completed part-time Summer Institute during COVID. It wasn’t easy, but it was impactful.

During my placement week, I went into a school and taught in-person. It was a wake-up call on the responsibilities of being a teacher.

What is Summer Institute? Visit our Knowledge Base to find out more.  

Getting started in school

Once I started in school, my first lesson was teaching Year 7s about the four claimants to the throne of England in 1066. We were all nervous entering a new school, although I think they were better at hiding their nerves than I was!

Giving pupils experiences and opportunities

Uxbridge High School is in an area of London with its own set of challenges and opportunities.

We have a higher percentage of pupils receiving free school meals than the national average. So, I was keen to offer these pupils opportunities outside of the classroom that they wouldn’t normally get.

In my first year, I organised trips to the Battle of Britain Bunker and Bletchley Park. Getting outside the constraints of the classroom helped bring history to life and touched on stories that matter. It gave me the chance to share LGBTQ+ histories that are frequently overlooked, like the life of Alan Turing.  

Developing as a teacher and leader

During the Training Programme, I’ve had many opportunities to progress both professionally and personally. I’ve been fortunate enough to lead on many trips, including taking our Year 12s to Auschwitz in Poland, the sixth form to multiple plays at the National Theatre and Key Stage 3 trips to the Imperial War Museum.

Teaching politics has given me the chance to visit Parliament, the Supreme Court and the London Assembly. I also had the opportunity to organise a husting for local candidates in a 2022 by-election.

At the start of 2022, I took on leading the school’s Careers programme with the aim of helping us meet the Gatsby Benchmarks. As part of this, I’ve run numerous events, including one Careers Fair where I managed to get an Aston Martin to the school.

I want to do the best for our young people, and to see it is to believe it. So, providing them with these experiences is important.  

Facing the challenges

Being a trainee isn’t easy. I found it hard juggling the PGCE work alongside offering high quality lessons each day. And managing behaviour can be tough. Gaining pupils’ respect takes time, but if you have faith in yourself and put in your all, they will respond enthusiastically. I’d tell any trainee to always be themselves.

Growing in confidence

Since starting the Training Programme, I’ve become more resilient, confident and organised. I’ve discovered new areas of interest in my subject, such as South American history and the Silk Road.  

Support from Teach First

My first year Teach First mentor Nicola gave me continuous support and expertise. And in-person events organised by Teach First have been excellent, providing key subject insights.

On one occasion we attended the Imperial War Museum to study their Holocaust exhibition. For me, this highlighted why my job is so important – sharing the history and horrors of the past in the hope that the next generation can avoid it.

Want to share your subject knowledge and give young people the opportunities to help them thrive in school? Applications are open for our Training Programme, so apply now for your best chance of securing your first-choice subject.