It was founded in London in 2003 in response to the plight of schools in challenging areas that had the most difficulty filling teaching vacancies.

Its teaching and leadership development programme already operates in London, the North West and the Midlands.

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

Teach First targets high calibre students who might not normally consider a career in teaching and places them in either National Challenge schools – schools where more than a third of pupils are eligible for free school meals, or where less than 25 per cent of students gain five A*-C GCSE grades, including English and Maths

Last year, 373 graduates started a two-year teaching placement, with numbers set to rise by 600 this year. Since it started,

It is supported by all the main political parties, teaching unions, graduate organisations and more than 80 leading employers.