Teach First brand must be protected, say head teachers

In a letter to The Observer today, the school leaders, all of whom trained with Teach First, warn that removing the brand would “cause real harm” by “diluting” its appeal.

“Teach First is a beacon of ­quality on campuses and that draws so many high-­potential leaders into the profession,” they write. “Without it, we risk destroying a proven pipeline of committed teachers ready to thrive in challenging roles – just when schools need them most.”

The Observer revealed last week that the Department for Education (DfE) plans to stop Teach First using its name to recruit and train graduates. A document inviting organisations to bid for a new contract to deliver the “high-­potential initial teacher training programme” specifies the work must be ­delivered by a “supplier neutral brand”.

Whitehall sources said this meant the charity could continue receiving funding but that the name of the scheme would no longer be Teach First. Companies such as Serco and Capita will also be able to bid for the contract.

The change is being driven by the DfE procurement department to try to boost “competition” in the process. But one insider said the charity would, in effect, be abolished if the proposed change goes ahead. “If you can’t use the Teach First brand you are no longer Teach First,” they said.

Ministers promised to intervene to save the charity, which has recruited more than 20,000 graduates into teaching over two decades. Georgia Gould, the Cabinet Office minister, last week summoned officials to draw up a plan. A DfE source insisted there was no intention to scrap the programme. “Were the current provider to be successful in bidding for the new programme, their brand would be a key part of the programme,” they said.

Schools are struggling to recruit teachers and Labour has been criticised for the lack of a “coherent plan” to reach its pledge of 6,500 new teachers by 2029.

The school leaders write in their letter: “With recruitment in crisis, now is the time to protect what works, not dismantle it.”

Research commissioned by the Gra­del Institute of Charity, based at New College, Oxford, found charities create almost £40bn of economic value a year if volunteer labour hours are taken into account. An analysis by Pro Bono Economics suggests the true value could be more than £100bn.

Stephen Bubb, director of the institute, said the government should do more to capitalise on the expertise of non-profit organisations to deliver public services. “The sorry saga of Teach First shows the government has yet to realise the real power and potential of the country’s third sector.

“Charities and non-­profits are often closer to the frontline of delivery and understand the needs of citi­zens much better than the state. So, often they deliver a more effective and efficient service that can reduce public spending.”

Photograph by Getty