It's a match: Securing a training school & meeting the headteacher

Meet the headteacher

Teach First has a designated team to match new trainees with potential training schools. There are several factors involved in the matching process, including a trainee's personal needs and a school’s requirements. I was asked if I would be open to teaching in a faith school, and I knew that I could be placed anywhere in London.

In May 2021, I received an email and voicemail from the team, telling me that a headteacher liked my CV and was interested in meeting me. Having looked at the school's location, I decided to see if a nearer school would come up. Three days later, I was contacted again, but the school was still a little too far for me. It would have meant getting on three different trains.

Two weeks later, I had another email and voicemail about a school. Although the school would still be a long commute for me, it was closer than the other two. Teach First sent the executive headteacher my email address, and we organised a face-to-face meeting for the following week (at her school). On most occasions, schools welcome the trainees that they're offered, but not always.

Even though it wasn't an interview, I was advised to dress for one, just to give a good first impression. I didn't have a DBS certificate at this point, but the school took a photocopy of my passport and I was escorted around the school. During the meeting, I met with the school's executive headteacher and the headteacher. The executive head made it clear that it wasn't an interview and that it really was just a meeting. I was asked why I wanted to join the programme, and I spoke about my career and aspirations. 

                                             Meeting ready: It was a very hot day in June

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                          Travelling to my future school - masks were a condition of carriage

It was a very relaxed and informal meeting, and the headteacher gave me a tour of the school. Having gone to a relatively small primary school as a child, I was amazed by its size, facilities and the amount of outdoor space. The school was part of a trust, and I knew that I could be placed at another school in the borough. Thankfully, both schools were good or outstanding, which was encouraging. During the meeting, I clearly remember the executive headteacher saying; ‘We will make you an outstanding teacher’. I found her incredibly aspirational, and I knew that she had been instrumental in improving local schools. I left the meeting feeling excited about September, and I was more than ready to join the army of teachers who were making a difference.