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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

The choices we make today will help shape the opportunities they have tomorrow. Visit our campaign page to learn more and get involved: ow.ly/hWQr50ZAMTF

Quote emphasizing the impact of acting now to ensure a future of possibility rather than inequality for the next generation. "If we act now, by the time they reach adulthood, they'll be stepping into a future full of possibility – instead of one limited by inequality."

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

We're campaigning to ensure persistent disadvantage and its effects are recognised and addressed within education policy.

Illustration showing a checklist labeled 'Sits GCSEs 2038' connected by a line to a figure wearing a graduation cap labeled 'Post-16 choices'.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

But for pupils facing persistent disadvantage, not passing their maths and English GCSEs is the norm. This limits their future choices, including fewer post-16 options, poorer employment prospects and lower lifetime earnings. Unless we act now.

Timeline showing mid primary education in 2030 with pencil and ruler, followed by starting secondary school in 2033 with a school building icon.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

The children starting school this September will spend years learning, growing and preparing for their futures. In just over a decade, in 2040, they'll sit their own GCSEs.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

This GCSE results day, thousands of young people will receive the grades they've worked hard for. Behind every set of results is a journey that began years earlier.

A message stating a child starting school today will be 18 in 2040, emphasizing future changes shaping their growth, with ABC blocks and 'Starts primary 2026'.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Auto-enrolment would ensure that no eligible child misses out on the support they are entitled to, and would lessen the administrative burden on schools that are already going above and beyond to support their pupils.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

However, we join @cpaguk.bsky.social and other organisations across the sector in urging the Government to go one step further, implementing auto-enrolment, as we recommended in our Breaking the Cycle report last year.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

From September, more than 500,000 additional pupils will become eligible for free school meals as the Government expands eligibility to all households on Universal Credit... www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

independent.co.uk

Free school meals: What to know as around 500,000 more children eligible

The Child Poverty Action Group has urged the Government to do more to let families know of the policy change

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Reposted by Teach First

Teach First Secondary Mathematics @teachfirstmaths.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

We had a fabulous time in Newcastle at the end of July with our incoming trainees for National Gathering. We loved geeking out on mathematics pedagogy with them and had some great talks from @meimaths.bsky.social on AI and from @ncetm.bsky.social on connections in mathematics

Photo of people round a table in discussion with min-whtieboards on the table with bar models on

Photo of a whiteboard with post-it notes stuck on with trainee's pledges for September

Photo of people sitting in rows working in pairs on shared whiteboards

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Last month, 1,300 future teachers, one photo. 💙 Our 2026 cohort came together in Newcastle for one unforgettable moment before heading into classrooms this September. We can't wait to see where this journey takes you. ✨

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

By making the necessary interventions and investments in our schools and teachers, we can rewrite the future for children facing disadvantage.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Congrats to @lucympowell.bsky.social on her appointment as Education Secretary. We look forward to working together on our shared mission of ensuring that no child’s education is limited by their socio-economic background.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

That’s why we’re working to close the attainment gap for persistently disadvantaged pupils by 2040. Find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved: www.teachfirst.org.uk/rewrite-the-...

teachfirst.org.uk

Rewrite the future | Teach First

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

These are pupils who have faced some of the deepest and longest experiences of poverty, and the barriers they face do not end when they leave school. Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter their background.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Our new research reveals that 1 in 4 persistently disadvantaged pupils are not in education or training one year after finishing Year 11. This means they are not working towards a qualification equivalent to a GCSE or above.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Too many young people are being left behind before they even get the chance to shape their future.

One in four persistently disadvantaged pupils will not participate in education or training between ages 16 and 18.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

But they are still the minority. The gap is a measure of a system that needs change. Visit our campaign page to learn more and get involved:https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/rewrite-the-future

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Our research found 88 state-funded schools who are bucking the trend, with pupils facing persistent disadvantage outperforming the national average for non-disadvantaged pupils in GCSE English and Maths.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

For pupils living in long-term poverty, also known as persistent disadvantage, it is often the norm to not pass their maths and English GCSEs. This can lead to poorer employment prospects. Lower lifetime earnings. Even their health can be impacted. They’re stuck in a cycle of poverty.

Text highlighting that it is common for persistently disadvantaged pupils to fail their maths and English GCSEs.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

We had a fantastic time at the @educationfest.bsky.social! We hosted two sessions led by our brilliant staff, caught up with many of our ambassadors, and celebrated the incredible work they're doing. Thanks to the Festival of Education for such an inspiring event! 👏

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It was great to bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and - most importantly - the voices of young people today to hear and discuss how we can improve outcomes for pupils experiencing persistent disadvantage.

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Reposted by Teach First

Education Policy Institute @edupolicyinst.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

A pressing topic on the agenda today, as EPI and @teachfirst.bsky.social brought together policymakers, school leaders and sector experts to discuss persistent disadvantage in schools, marking a new report drawing on research commissioned from EPI. Full report: www.teachfirst.org.uk/reports/clas...

20-30 people listening to a speaker at a lectern, giving a presentation.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Our research found many pupils and entire schools who were bucking the trends and closing the gap. The right action now can help rewrite the future for children facing these barriers. Visit our campaign page to learn more and get involved: www.teachfirst.org.uk/rewrite-the-...

teachfirst.org.uk

Rewrite the future | Teach First

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

That's nearly two years of learning lost, simply because of circumstances outside of school. The challenge is clear. But the outcome isn't inevitable.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Pupils living in long-term poverty face one of the biggest barriers to educational success in England. By the time they sit their GCSEs, persistently disadvantaged pupils are, on average, 22.4 months of learning behind their non-disadvantaged peers by the end of Year 11.

Persistently disadvantaged pupils are on average 22.4 months of learning behind their non-disadvantaged peers at the end of Year 11.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

We’re excited to be attending the 16th instalment of the Festival of Education, run by @educationfest.bsky.social, on 2–3 July at Wellington College 🎓 The Festival of Education brings educators together for two days of inspiring professional development, discussion and networking. 🤝 #educationfest

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

MP Mark Sewards continues to support our mission. Discussing our latest research: “I want to see the government give every child counted in this research that same chance, and the first step towards giving it to them is finally agreeing to count them at all.” Read his views here: lnkd.in/e7GzHFfu

"We have no standard definition of persistent disadvantage, no annual count of these pupils, and no regional breakdown of where they are. You cannot close a gap you refuse to measure."

Mark Sewards

MP and Teach First Ambassador

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

We bid with the @natinstteaching.bsky.social as a partner. Teach First is working closely with the @departmentforedu.bsky.social on next steps as we move towards formal contract award.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Teach First is pleased to confirm that we are the preferred supplier for the next iteration of the High Potential Initial Teacher Training (HPITT) programme, commencing in 2027.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

If we want to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity, government and businesses must work together to invest in schools serving low-income communities. 🤝 💡This will ensure every child has access to a brilliant education and a clear pathway after school.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🚫 We cannot ignore the reality that young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are most likely to be affected and locked out of the job market.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

🚨 The number of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) has passed the 1 million mark for the first time in more than a decade. The rise is a stark reminder of the widening challenges facing young people in our system. 📈

Over 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education,
employment, or training

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

We are excited to have Maurice leading the Teach First Board working towards our vision to ensure that no child’s educational success is limited by their socio-economic background. Read more: www.teachfirst.org.uk/press-releas...

teachfirst.org.uk

Teach First announces appointment of new Chair | Teach First

The Teach First Board of Trustees is delighted to announce the appointment of Maurice Helfgott as its next Chair, following a thorough and highly competitive re

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

James Toop, our CEO, says: “Maurice shares our commitment to social justice, a belief in the power of a great teacher, and passion for building a movement of change makers working together to rewrite the future.”

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Maurice was identified through a rigorous search led by the Board of Trustees with his values alignment and connection with the charity’s purpose being considered as exceptional.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Maurice Helfgott as Teach First’s next Chair. He brings a breadth of senior leadership experience across executive and non-executive roles, covering a range of organisations, including Brightpearl, MyOptique, Long Tall Sally, Moss Bros and ME+EM.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Great to have linked our partner school with the Foreign Office for inspiring careers sessions. Pupils in Years 10 and 12 learnt about diplomacy, government roles, and pathways into the Civil Service.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Our CEO James Toop joins Teach First ambassador Ed Vainker and founder of @thereachfoundation.bsky.social to discuss how we can better support the next generation of headteachers. 🗞️ schoolsweek.co.uk/new-heads-ne...

schoolsweek.co.uk

New heads need more than a one-off qualification - charities

‘Ongoing’ support planned as research shows falling numbers aspire to headship

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

With the number of aspiring headteachers reducing, more should be done to support leaders who play an integral role in helping pupils rewrite the future.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Be part of the solution and help rewrite the future for young people. Train to teach and join our movement of Change Makers: www.teachfirst.org.uk/teacher-trai....

teachfirst.org.uk

Choose a teacher training programme | Teach First

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Our CEO, James Toop, emphasises: “The Government have shown that they are serious about closing the attainment gap, but we must move fast, placing our strongest teachers and leaders where they are needed most, and financially backing them properly to succeed.”

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Too many young people are still being shut out of opportunities, before their adult lives have begun. The latest Department for Education data on pupil outcomes is a wake‑up call to us all.

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Only one in four pupils facing disadvantage achieve strong passes in English and maths GCSEs. Two in three of young people facing disadvantage then leave education without a Level 3 qualification (A‑levels or equivalent).

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Poverty First - our response to Public First and Star Academies’ inquiry on ‘White Working Class Educational Outcomes.' Read more: www.teachfirst.org.uk/reports/pover…

White text against a black background that reads: "Poverty underpins educational disadvantage. Opportunity is the solution. Rewrite the future."

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Join our webinar for secondary schools. Because great teaching teams don’t happen by chance. Partner with Teach First to build yours. 👉https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/events/rewrite-future-your-school-teach-firsts-talented-trainees

Announcement that says: "Calling all secondary schools. Find out more about partnering with Teach first. Online webinar. Tuesday 21 April, 4:30pm to 5:15pm."

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Teach First @teachfirst.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Teach First ambassador and member of our Women’s Leadership Network, Abigail, is rewriting the future as founder of Rock Paper Write. Through her work, she delivers nature-immersed creative writing workshops for children, especially in under-resourced communities of Greater Manchester.

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