A £1000 bursary is to be given to each York student accepted onto the charity TeachFirst’s graduate teaching scheme this year, it has been announced.
This summer also saw an incredible third University of York student in a row elected as Participant President for TeachFirst. The President represents the tens of thousands of TeachFirst teachers and students in parliament, to corporate stakeholders and more during their year-long position.
The York Career’s Service and Widening Participation team are making the bursary available to support the charity’s mission of eradicating educational disadvantage.
York is one of only a handful of Universities offering this encouragement which, taking last year as a precedent, could mean well over £30,000 made available for York finalists taking TeachFirst’s route to teaching.
TeachFirst’s two-year Leadership Development Programme is regarded as one of the toughest and most competitive graduate training programmes available.
Gayle Johnson, Operations Manager for the York Career’s Service commented that “from a careers perspective, we are delighted to promote high quality graduate opportunities.”
The bursary is aimed to assist with “relocation, travel and living expenses.” Eligible York students also agree to further the cause of TeachFirst and the Widening Participation team in making the UK’s educational landscape fairer and more accessible.
Two former Halifax students Sam Butterfield and James Townsend are the TeachFirst Participant President and the outgoing President.
Sam described his experience as being able to work with “the most creative and inspirational people” and added that he “can’t wait to get going.”
Outgoing President, James Townsend added: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working as Participant President for TeachFirst, supporting a great cause, and banging the drum to external audiences about the great work they are doing.”