Gove supports Teach First expansion

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The education secretary declared himself an "unashamed and unabashed supporter" of teaching recruitment charity Teach First, at an awards ceremony last night.

Speaking at the organisation's Annual Awards, held at the Royal Geographical Society, Knightsbridge, Michael Gove described Teach First as "a fantastic organisation, doing great work".

He went on to say:

"Teach First does a fantastic job recruiting academic high-flyers with real leadership potential to become great teachers, especially in some of the most challenging schools and in specialist subjects. I am committed to expanding this programme so we can have the very best teachers available in all of our schools and improve the quality of the teaching profession across the board."

Also in attendance at the awards, hosted by Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, was former minister for schools and learners, Vernon Coaker - providing a united front to support a charity which all three major parties mentioned in their manifestos.

Talking about the inequalities in the English education system, chief executive and Teach First founder Brett Wigdortz, said:

"In England the biggest determinant of how good a child's education is, is the wealth of their parents. That was true in feudal times, true in the 19th century, true in the 20th century and true today in 2010."

Wigdortz stated that: "Teach First as a charity has been working towards this solution for eight years", and as the fourth-largest graduate recruiter in the country it was creating a "revolution on University campuses".

"This year Teach First will help over 200,000 pupils in some of the country's most challenging schools. This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the exceptional graduates who access the programme and the massive support we receive across the education, business and political sectors. This awards ceremony gives us an opportunity to celebrate this shared success as well as showcase some exceptionally talented students."

Teach First is an independent charity launched in 2002 to bring excellent teachers into challenged secondary schools across the UK.

Their mission is to address educational disadvantage by transforming exceptional graduates into effective, inspirational teachers and leaders in all fields.

Award Winners

Ed Watson, Design & Technology teacher, Globe Academy Southwark, was the sole winner of the Garnett Excellence Award

Manjit More, History teacher at Pensnett High School, West Midlands, was the sole winner of the Laura Howard Excellence Award

Laura House, Year 3 teacher, St Mary Magdalene Academy, Islington was the sole winner of Primary Excellence Award

Fiona Dyke, mentor, The Business Academy Bexley, was one of two winners for the Learmonth Supporting Participants Award

Marie Campey, tutor, Nottingham Trent University, was one of two winners for the Learmonth Supporting Participants Award

Matthew Hood, Department for Education, was the sole winner of the Ambassador ‘Beyond the Classroom’ Award

Jay Allnutt, Religious Education, Philosophy and Critical Thinking teacher, Christ the King Sixth Form College in Lewisham was the sole winner of the Ambassador ‘Teach On’ Award

Luke Ashman, PricewaterhouseCoopers, was the sole winner of the Higher Education Access Programme for Schools(HEAPS) Award

George Iacobescu, chief executive of Canary Wharf Group
Ralph Tabberer, Chief of Schools, and COO GEMS – MENASA and former Director General of Schools at the Department Children, Schools and Families, both won the Founding Ambassador Award.