Teach First Online Application and Assessment Centre 2026 Practice Guide

1. Introduction

Should you practice assessments to prepare for the Teach First application process? Research shows 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.

In a nutshell:

How to pass the Teach First application process and get the job?

1. Complete Your Teach First Online Application Form

• Read the Teach First core requirements
• Create an account and fill in your Teach First Application form online
• Match your application to Teach First values.
• Use keywords and competencies from the job post in your resume.

2. Prepare for the Teach First Development Centre Exercises

Teach First Development Centre will use different exercises to find the right candidates for the role. Ensure that you practice a variety of exercises including:

• Competency based interview 
• Teaching sample
• Group Case-Study Exercises

Practice for the Teach First competency based interview by running mock interviews and answering typical competency based interview questions for the role of a teacher. Further your Teach First competency based interview practice with:

• a smartphone to record yourself
• Zoom or
• Our reliable video interview platform

Our video interview practice platform contains predefined competency and industry questions and emulates your experience in platforms used for employers’ interviews (HireVue, Pymetrics, Sonru).

Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times.

Before we go on and break down the Teach First application process, let’s find out more about the company.

Who is Teach First?

Teach First is a social organization tackling the problem of educational disadvantage in the UK by providing paid employment to people in their teaching training programme to earn PGDE, QTS and an optional masters degree. 

What roles can I apply to in Teach First?

Teaching roles are available in Teach First for participants in the Training Programme across schools in the UK that are partnered with the Teach First Teacher training programme.

How long is the Teach First Teaching Programme?

The Teach First training programme lasts for two years. 

What are Teach First Core Values?

The Teach First has 6 core values, which are: 

Now that we know what Teach First is about, let’s go right into the Teach First application process, and we start with the Teach First online application form.

2. Teach First Application Form

How to get a job at Teach First?

The Teach First job application process starts with you completing an application form after you have passed the initial requirement checklist. After this, you are required to provide details about yourself and educational background. 

You will need to do the following to start your Teach First application form:

• Create an account
• Fill in personal information 
• Fill in educational background

Teach First Application Form

Source: Teach First

To complete your Teach First application form, you’ll also need to answer some situational judgement test questions. 

Let’s take a look into the Teach First situational judgement test below.

3. Teach First Situational Judgement Test

What is the Teach First situational judgement test?

The Teach First situational judgement test is an assessment used by Teach First to evaluate your strengths and ability to perform in a real life teaching environment.

What does the Teach First situational judgement test measure?

The Teach First situational judgement test assesses your ability to make the best decisions in the given scenarios that you would likely encounter if you work with Teach First.

Watch our video below to find out more about a situational judgement test and understand the Teach First situational judgement test better

How do you pass the Teach First situational judgement test? Continue reading to find out the best tips to help you pass this part of Teach First application form

Top 6 tips to pass the Teach First Situational Judgement Test

1. Consider the Teach First core values as you provide your responses and ensure these values guide your answers.
2. Read the Teach First job description and pay attention to what this programme requires from you and this will help you to demonstrate your relevant competencies.
3. Read your test instructions carefully before you start and as you do the test as each scenario might have different instructions attached to it.
4. Practice situational judgement tests to get yourself familiar with similar scenarios that you would encounter in the Teach First situational judgement test.
5. Think like a teacher, this will help you to give relevant responses that align with the role that you are applying for.
6. Be honest and authentic by giving your answers based on how your personality aligns with the Teach First core values.

Practice for the Teach First situational judgment test by practising similar situational judgement questions with us!

Once you’ve completed the Teach First application form, two assessors will review it and you will get a response within 15 working days. 

If successful, you will be invited to attend the Teach First development centre.

4. Teach First Development Centre

What is the Teach First development centre?

The Teach First development centre is the final part of the Teach First recruitment process that requires you to complete the following: 

• Competency based interview
• Group case study exercise 
• Short teaching sample

What to expect in the Teach First development centre?

The Teach First development centre is an opportunity for you to show your suitability for the role. This test will assess your competencies, teaching skills, ability to work with a team and self evaluation skills. 

Let’s find out what each of these Teach First assessment tests are, what they entail and what they assess.

Teach First Competency-based Interview

What is the Teach First competency based interview?

The Teach First competency based interview assesses you based on the competencies required of a great teacher. It is usually a one-on-one session with an interviewer and lasts an average of 45 minutes. 

What does the Teach First competency-based interview entail? 

The Teach First competency based interview is a virtual or physical interview that seeks to find if you are fit for the role of a teacher in the Teach First Training Programme.

What competencies will the Teach First interview will assess?

The Teach First competency questions will assess you based on these following competencies: 

• Humility, respect and empathy 
• Interaction 
• Understanding and motivation 
• Leadership 
• Planning and organizing 
• Problem solving 
• Resilience 
• Self evaluation 
• Adaptability 

Watch this short video below to find out more about what competencies are and how the Teach First competency based interview may assess these:

Top 7 Tips to Pass the Teach First competency-based interview

1. Research Teach First, especially their values, mission and vision. This will help you to understand what they look for in a good teacher.
2. Brush up on your teaching skills as this is essential for this role. It will also help you express your thoughts better.
3. Consider the critical Teach First competencies that we have listed above. Think of examples from your experience that demonstrate these skills.
4. Practice response to interview questions especially as relating to the competencies Teach First seeks in a potential candidate.
5. Ensure you provide your response using the STAR+R technique in your Teach First competency based interview to help structure your answers.
6. Carefully listen and understand the instructions of the Teach First competency based interview. Understand what is expected of you before you answer the questions.
7. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers when you are given the opportunity. The interview is an opportunity for you to know more about Teach First and the teaching role you are applying for.

Watch our short video below to discover questions you can ask in your Teach First competency based interview.

What are some common Teach First competency based interview questions you can be asked at this stage? Let’s find out below.

Teach First Competency-based Interview Questions and Answers

Some common interview questions you may be asked in your Teach First competency based interview are:

Read on for an example answer to some of these Teach First competency based interview questions below and a tip on how to answer.

Question 1: Why would you like to work at Teach First?

Good Answer: 

I would like to work at Teach First because this organisation’s goals perfectly answer questions that relate to my career aspirations and personal values. Teach First’s commitment to bringing equality in the educational system of the UK resonates with my passion for education and creating a society where no child is left behind. 

Teach First emphasises career development which is another idea of great value to me, as I intend to put in my best towards attaining the peak of my career and Teach First provides a platform for doing this. 

Take a break from reading and watch our short video below for tips on how to answer the ‘Tell me something about yourself’ Teach First interview question.

Question 2: Tell me a time when you worked in a team to achieve a common goal.

Good Answer:

Looking for more Teach First interview practice?

After completing your Teach First competency-based interview, the next assessment is the Teach First group case-study exercise. Read on as we uncover what to expect.

Teach First Group Case-Study Exercise

What is the Teach First Group case-study exercise?

The Teach First group case-study exercise is a part of your Teach First application process where you would work with 6 other candidates to provide solutions to educational problems. 

What to expect in the Teach First Group case-study exercise?

The Teach First group case-study exercise involves analysing a fictional school that is having some educational challenges. You will be part of a group of about six candidates and your team will review curriculum, discuss teaching strategies and provide solutions to educational problems. 

What does the Teach First group case-study measure?

The Teach First group case study will measure your analytical skills, critical thinking skills, problem-solving capabilities and your ability to work in a team.

Watch our video below to find out what group case-study exercise is about, this will help you understand Teach First group case-study exercise better. 

How do you pass the Teach First group case-study exercise? 

Consider the following unique Teach First group case-study exercise tips that will help you pass this test.

Top 8 Tips to Pass the Teach First group case-study exercise

1. Remember the Teach First values. This helps guide your conduct and contributions during the group exercise.
2. Listen actively to the discussion as this will guide thought processes and help you to build your contribution to the group. 
3. Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with others, this will not only show your team spirit, it will also reflect on your ability to work towards a common goal.
4. Read all instructions for the group carefully. Ensure you follow the instructions given to you on how the group discussion should go.
5. Think like a teacher. This role requires you to teach, so your contributions and solutions should come from your angle as an educator.
6. Use your time appropriately. There will be an allocated time for your team. Ensure to keep to time with the group discussion.
7. Be authentic and unique with your answers, one of the purposes of group case-study exercise is to also know how authentic your inputs can be and your uniqueness is just as important for you to stand out and impress your assessors. 
8. Hone your communication skills by practicing with our interview practice platform, this will help build your confidence to contribute in a group discussion.

Looking to practice for your Teach First assessment day?

After completing your Teach First group case-study, the next stage in the recruitment process is the Teach First teaching sample. 

Let’s find out more about this step below! 

Teach First Teaching Sample

What is the Teach First Teaching Sample?

The Teach First teaching sample is the stage in the assessment centre where you will teach assessors role playing as students in a manner that will be engaging and educating to actual students.

What does the Teach First teaching sample entail? 

During the Teach First teaching sample, you will be given a list of topics to choose from a week before your assessment centre and you will teach this topic for a four-minute duration to your assessors, this will demonstrate your teaching skills. 

Below we have compiled helpful teaching sample tips to help you pass the Teach First Teaching Sample.

Top 6 Tips to Pass the Teach First Teaching Sample

1. Research the topic you pick. The teaching sample involves you teaching a topic to children of a certain age group, it is important that you research this topic so that you can present it in an engaging way to children.
2. Practice consistently before the assessment centre, this would give you the confidence that you need to teach and present your topic excellently. 
3. Keep your teaching simple and clear. Bear in mind that you are supposed to teach children, so keep your teaching as simple as possible and use simple language in your approach.
4. Use real life examples. This helps make your teaching more relatable especially since you are going to be teaching children. 
5. Encourage questions from your audience because an interactive class makes an engaging class, so allow your audience to ask questions and encourage them to share their thoughts as well. 
6. Finish your teaching in the allocated time. Show your time management skill by finishing your teaching in the time you were given. 

Now, that is all you need to know about the Teach First application process and development centre.

Well done for reading till the end. 

If you pass the job application process, you will be contacted within 3 weeks and given your conditional offer letter to join the Teach First training programme.

However, before you go!

Check out some bonus information about Teach First

5.  Teach First Teacher Training Graduate Programmes

What are Teach First teacher graduate training programmes?

Teach First is committed to developing professionals that can contribute positively to the educational system of the UK. Aside from the two-year salaried teacher training programme, Teach First also offer:

1. School-Centred Initial Teacher Training
2. Taster Programmes

Let’s find out more about these opportunities below!

Teach First School-centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

What is the Teach First school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT)?

The Teach First school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) programme is a one-year teacher training programme. In just a year, you will earn your Qualified Teacher status (QTS) and a Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). 

Teach First School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Eligibility Criteria

To apply  for the Teach First SCITT, you will need:

1. Undergraduate degree 
2. Subject knowledge (through your undergraduate degree or A-level)
3. GSCEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above)
4. For Primary teaching (Grade 4/C or above in a science GCSE)

Read on as we uncover another teaching opportunity: the Teach First Taster programme.

Teach First Taster Programme

What is the Teach First Taster Programme?

The Teach First taster programme is a two-day interactive workshop where you gain an insight into the Teach First training programme and also acquire practical experience on the role of a teacher.

Teach First taster programme eligibility criteria

1. You must be in your first, second or penultimate year of an undergraduate degree
2. GSCE English and Maths at Grade C 
3. Your CGPA should be 2:1 or above (2:2 may also be considered)

With this, we have covered all you need to know about the Teach First application process, development centre and other graduate programmes you could apply to.

But wait!

Before you start your Teach First application, explore our FAQ section below for more answers about the Teach First hiring process.

6. Teach First Application Process FAQs