A Case in Point

DOUGLAS HAINES quizzes PATRICK CURRY on his Teach First experience

Patrick Curry joined Teach First in 2006 and has just embarked on his second year teaching business, economics and politics at Kingsmead School in Enfield, London. He graduated in politics, philosophy and economics in 2005 from Hertford College, Oxford.

Why did you choose to "teach first"?
I thought it would be far more exciting than an office job and I would learn a lot of important skills. The idea of spending my day around people was another important factor in my decision to apply for Teach First.

How has it lived up to your expectations?
What I really find rewarding is that every morning when I get up I feel what I'm doing is worth something. What has surprised me is that most pupils really want to learn and do well. Some people have the impression that teenagers don't want to work but I've found that most are keen to progress.
Nothing or no-one can prepare you fully for the first time you stand in front of a room of teenagers looking to you for their education. At first you feel like an actor and that at any second a kid will stand up and say: "sir, you're not a real teacher, are you?" It has been incredibly intense but immensely rewarding at the same time. The learning curve has been like nothing I have experienced before but the feeling of achievement at completing my first year was enormous.

What was your first day like?
It passed in a bit of a haze really. I think adrenaline got me through; it was exciting and very nerve-wracking. Looking back it went surprisingly well. The pupils are normally okay for the first few lessons whilst they are working you out - and then the fun begins.

What do you mean by that?
They start to push you a little: by not doing homework, creating a fleet of paper aeroplanes, falling asleep in class and generally acting like kids. The challenge to then engage and inspire them to learn about interest rates or cash flow analysis is immense. Not every lesson goes well - that's an impossibility - but there is no better feeling than when it does come off and all the pupils are interested, involved and putting their hands up.

Do you feel you can really "make a difference" in the classroom in only two years?
It is important to listen to the experienced teachers and mentors who have years of experience. There are many teachers doing a fine job already and it is inspirational to work with some of them.
You clearly can't change the world in two years but with sheer force of will you can improve results. My predecessor here got excellent results and using some of his materials and my own I managed to keep that going. I also have a sixth form class and helping them apply to universities has been very rewarding. You can certainly make a positive impact in two years with a lot of hard work.

Apart from the teaching, how have you found the Teach First programme?
To be honest teaching is the main part; working hard on the teaching is where I felt I have really developed professionally and as a person.
I have enjoyed the leadership training; it's a great way to network with a range of different organisations. One of the best aspects about Teach First for me is the quality of the other participants on the programme: getting so many like minded people together is great. We spend a lot of time together as a cohort and I enjoy this social side of Teach First. The six-week initial residential training is great fun.

What next?
I'm not sure. The teaching is going well and it's tempting to stay on for another year. But I'm still undecided. The civil service fast stream offers some interesting opportunities to work on policy and affect change at a macro level. After Teach First whatever I do will have to be stimulating - the thought of a boring desk job horrifies me now.

Finally, what advice would you give to anyone thinking about applying for the scheme?
Be prepared for a rollercoaster of an experience. You have to be ready to work hard and go far out of your comfort zone. If you're up for the challenge it is like nothing else.

Interview conducted by Douglas Haines, an ex-participant and the Teach First recruiter for Oxford. To discuss the programme contact him at 07886 663 910
or douglas.haines@teachfirst.org.uk.