Our trainees want to effect real social change
In March 2023, David Scales took over a secondary school in Doncaster that had been in and out of special measures since Ofsted inspections began.
Just 16 months into his headship at Woodfields, the school was given an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ for the very first time. The attendance at the school is one of the most improved in the country, and the school has safe, calm and happier children.
As a Teach First ambassador himself, David spoke to us about why he recruits Teach First teachers.
David's story: why I choose Teach First teachers for my school
The year before I arrived, there was one Teach First trainee in place. This academic year, we've got eight Teach First trainees, three Year 2 trainees and another four staff members who are Teach First ambassadors.
That’s a good proportion of our teachers, and they're making a massive difference.
Close alignment with the Teach First mission
I've come to where I am because of the value of hard work, because of the value of education. That's something that I believe still makes a difference in society and to young people.
That’s why I align closely with Teach First’s values, and the people that train with Teach First align with the same values. They’re likely to be quite clever. They're likely to be quite driven. They're likely to be academic. And they’re likely to align with the mission that I have here – to help our children to get to university or a real alternative and live a great life.
In the best cases, they are going to make a seismic and lasting change to your school.
A recruitment route that saves time and money
To find a teacher, other recruitment routes are time consuming and expensive. You probably have to put out three adverts, and then you may get someone where you’re thinking, is this right?
From my perspective it’s far more advantageous to have people that you can train, that you can work with to get to where you need them to be, and who want to do this job and make difference in a more challenging context like ours.
A strong selection process that finds high quality trainees
The Teach First recruitment and selection process is really strong, and the quality of Teach First trainees coming through is high. I know they're going to be recruited along the lines of the Teach First values which you want in a candidate.
There are selection criteria based on academic credentials, and that subject knowledge is the most important part of being a great teacher.
The support from Teach First is really strong.
Expert support from Teach First throughout
The support from Teach First is really strong. It’s reassuring to know that someone like Leanne, our Teach First Development Lead, will listen to what I've got to say, reflect on that, and then act efficiently, effectively and appropriately.
Where I’ve raised any concerns about trainees, she's all over that. And she will keep you updated about that process. We’ve got a good working relationship, and I trust her to do that work.
How Teach First teachers are making a difference at Woodfields
Teach First trainees are brimming with enthusiasm and want to bring parts of themselves to the role. As they mature and develop into how a school operates, they add more and more value.
For example, Sabaa , who was a Year 1 trainee when I arrived and is now an ambassador, is making a big difference. She’s been able to grow the culture of poetry across the school.
Children now say poetry at lunch, they say poetry in the morning, they say poetry at the end of the school day. We're even going to be part of a film, we hope, for Poetry By Heart. That's Sabaa's work.
She's also setting up a community Iftar during this year’s Ramadan when we'll do family dining for our Muslim community.
Another trainee, Becca, today ran her first book group with 12 children, and they were absolutely buzzing after the event.
It's notable that the attendance at the school is one of the most improved in the country.
Several former trainees are now in leadership positions. For example, Stef, our head of modern foreign languages (MFL) is busy developing our MFL offering. Or, Pan, the acting head of computer science, who supports the half-term programme where he does basketball coaching for children on free school meals.
And you've got Vikki, my vice principal, who's making wide-ranging changes to the quality of education across the school and having a profound impact.
Take on a Teach First trainee and see the impact
What I’d say to another headteacher considering taking on a Teach First trainee is - do it!
Take on the trainees and see the impact that they can bring. They’re motivated, passionate and driven by the right values.
In the best cases, they are going to make a seismic and lasting change to your school, and they will develop within your school to lead it very, very quickly.
You know, that's what the very best Teach First trainees will do – they want to effect real social change.
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