BBC3's Tough Young Teachers is following graduates starting out in schools after their six weeks of training with Teach First. We ask why, after more than 10 years of success, the scheme still has vociferous critics.
Jonathan Savage, reader in education at Manchester Metropolitan University
Teach First is funded incredibly generously by a central government grant. Teachers are paid as soon as they start their practice. I don't think we can afford to run a scheme like that in the current economic climate. We don't need to be spending £76m of taxpayers' money on teachers who only enjoy short teaching careers. Teach First has this social, charitable mission to support the disadvantaged in our education system, but the last thing our most vulnerable children need is unqualified teachers who are only there for the short term.
Debra Kidd, English and drama teacher at Saddleworth school, Oldham
I think the name is a problem. It sounds like you teach first, and then move on to something more lucrative or rewarding. If you look at the website, the corporate sponsors push the idea that they will offer you a "decent" job afterwards. One guy who has only done two years' training is now advising the government and writing a book on teaching and learning. There doesn't need to be a Teach First route. I don't think you need to be creaming off the best graduates. There is not necessarily a correlation between your qualifications and your ability to connect with children.
Sam Freedman, director of research, evaluation and impact at Teach First
It's actually not that controversial, it's one of the very few things that has cross-party support. Myths still exist, particularly the idea that it's for career-hungry people who do this for two years and thensee it as a stepping stone to a different life. That isn't true: 70% continue to work in education, whether that's for schools or charities or other organisations. Teach First has transformed the perception of teaching in Russell Group universities. We have people who wouldn't have considered teaching before who are now in teaching for a career. Even the critics will acknowledge that's a positive change.
Jonny Walker, Teach First teacher at Elmshurst primary school in Forest Gate, London
My experience has been extremely positive, but there is a chance that Teach First participants are built up to think they are better than they are, when seeking help would benefit them further. A lot of schools expect them to be more than they are; mine didn't see me as anything other than a well qualified trainee. Teach First, along with other changes to the education system, changes the definition of a teacher to an enthusiastic,energetic person, someone for whom teaching becomes their life. A lot of older teachers might feel that the dice are being stacked against them, and I couldn't imagine the job if I had a family.
Matt Donnelly, former supply teacher and TV writer
The documentary is quick to establish how hard Teach First is to complete and how the first years struggle to maintain order. One thing I noticed was that the majority of them came into the schools with a bad attitude. They appeared to have high expectations for the pupils, but one of them had no strategies for dealing with a child who didn't speak English. What I got before and during my PGCE course was time observing the teachers and getting to know the children before I was thrust in front of the class. The Teach First scheme doesn't give trainees this.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT
I don't know why Teach First divides opinion; it seems a no-brainer to me. Teach First is a rising tide that lifts every teacher – it raises the status of the profession and brings in different people. There are risks: if you walk into a school as a cocky know-it-all, then you're going to learn some hard lessons yourself.
Katie Ashford, Teach First teacher in her second year of teaching English in the West Midlands
What makes Teach First different is the mission that unites us. Educational disadvantage is not something that can only be addressed by classroom teachers. Several Teach First ambassadors have founded social enterprises or charities since leaving the classroom. These people are still making an extremely important contribution to the futures of our pupils, just as those who choose to remain in teaching are.