What is it? Teach First places high-calibre graduates into some of the UK’s most challenging and demanding schools for a minimum of two years after university. It is supported by the Government, each of the major political parties, the head teachers’ and teaching unions and a host of high-profile corporate, public sector and charity organisations. Deloitte, Accenture and JP Morgan offer deferred-entry schemes to allow university-leavers to participate in Teach First before joining their own graduate development schemes.

What graduate jobs are on offer? The Teach First scheme is an intensive two-year programme that combines training, qualifying and working as a teacher with leadership development and management skills training. This blend of classroom and business skills begins with a six-week residential summer course and training at Tanaka Business School in London, internships with graduate employers and a wide range of networking opportunities.

Where are the jobs? Teach First places graduates into schools across London, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the West Midlands and Nottingham.

What is the pay like? Participants are paid by their school throughout the programme. Salaries for the first year are up to £20,600 in London and £16,700 in the Midlands and the North West. Pay rises by approximately £4,000 for the second year. What is the competition like? Since its launch in 2003, Teach First has attracted thousands of applications and competition for places on the 2008 scheme is likely to be intense.

How to get a new job

In the words of a once-popular reggae song: You can get it if you really want it, so step up to the challenge

Related Internet Links

• Snakes & Ladders

• Graduate jobs

• Search for an internship

How do you apply? Applications for history, geography, religious studies, foreign languages, business studies and citizenship have already closed. The final deadline for other subjects is next Friday, March 28. Apply online at www.teachfirst.org.uk

How has Teach First done in the Top 100?

2003 - No 63; 2004 - No 41; 2005 - No 19; 2006 - No 16; 2007 - No 14

The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers is based on research with more than 17,000 final-year university students. To find out more and to order the new 2007-08 edition for £14.99 visit www.Top100GraduateEmployers.com

Find out more about the best places to work in The Times Top 100 interactive table timesonline.co.uk/top100grad

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