Go back to school It’s demanding and not for everyone - but it could be for you!

DENTON Community College is one of the schools we will be working with over the coming months as part of our campaign.

The Tameside secondary currently has two Teach First students as well as four others in their second year of the scheme.

Steve Nixon, who is in charge of Teach First and Induction at Denton, says their Teach First students have been a welcome injection of colour and enthusiasm to the school.

Denton’s most recent recruits, Joanna Dixon, 27, from London and Charlotte Cohen, 22 from Prestwich, made the bold decision to throw themselves into teaching.

Joanna, who graduated from the University of Durham, is cutting her teeth teaching geography and religious studies.

Joanna was working in graduate recruitment when she decided she wanted a change in career. She said: “It’s everything they say it’s going to be. It’s very fast paced plus I teach fourteen different classes. You don’t have time get scared or worry about the next class. It’s challenging but also incredibly motivating.”

Charlotte graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in maths and finance.

She hit the classroom fresh out of university after being hooked by a programme on the BBC about Teach First called Tough Young Teachers.

“It was choice between a PGCE and Teach First. I felt like this would be a better use of my time,” says Charlotte. Teach First work with less privileged students. You come in with a purpose to help students and help decrease the gap.

“I love the kids and I’ve got to know all of them. Maths is the dreaded subject and the challenge is to make it engaging for kids.”

Kat Rolle, from London, had worked in music journalism, publishing and taught English in Madrid before she took the plunge with Teach First in 2014.

Kat, who is now in her second year teaching Modern Foreign Languages, said: “I had already done some teaching in Madrid and I didn’t want to waste a year doing a PGCE.

“Teach First has been great. It has been really difficult at times but overall it has been amazing.”