A scheme to recruit top performing graduates into teaching and into Nottingham secondary schools is planning to expand in the City and the East Midlands.

Teach First, a business-led charity that aims to help improve pupils’ performance by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders, has already placed 12 teachers in five City schools in Nottingham. It expanded into the East Midlands a year ago.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, April 30) a celebration evening at Nottingham Council House will mark the expansion of the charity in Nottingham and showcase the work of teachers and pupils.

Teach First placements are for two years, during which time the charity trains and supports the graduates as they work towards becoming qualified teachers. Following the two years, teachers can continue teaching or pursue another career. However they all become Ambassadors (alumni) and join a growing movement of future leaders across all sectors who are dedicated to addressing educational disadvantage.

The charity was formed in July 2002 and are set to hit targets of 360 new teachers this year from graduates, who would not otherwise go into teaching, but, by their abilities and leadership skills, will make a real difference.

More than 8,000 graduates have applied to the programme over the past five years. They face a four-part assessment process and demonstrate the qualities and skills required to be a good teacher.

Councillor Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio holder for Children’s Services, said "Teach First encouraged graduates to see how teaching could make a real difference in society through improving the life prospects of children while using and building on their own existing knowledge and skills and improving their own long-term career prospects."

"We are pleased to see them expanding in Nottingham to help us bring the best of today’s graduates into City schools to give the best chances to our children."

Robert Lundin, Associate Director of the Midlands at Teach First, says : "This celebration of Teach First’s inaugural year in Nottingham is a real landmark for our organisation. Throughout this first year, we have witnessed Teach First participants make a significant impact in the lives of pupils within challenged secondary schools across the city. We look forward to working closely with the city of Nottingham to bring even greater numbers of motivated teachers to serve in Nottingham schools, and in turn to continuing to address the roots of educational disadvantage across the city and nationwide."