Success Against the Odds: Five Lessons in How to Achieve the Impossible: the Story of Teach First - Softcover

Walter Isaacson, Author, Biographer of Steve Jobs and former Time magazine managing editor "One of the great untold stories of our generation is how our most talented young people are inspiring our most disadvantaged children. This book shows us how a simple idea has the power to change lives right across the globe. It is also a great and very exciting narrative." Sally Coates, Head Teacher, Burlington Danes, London "Teach First has been a transformational force in schools, and a major lever in raising achievement by pupils. This is the extraordinary story of how one man's belief that change is possible helped change the education landscape in Britain ." Jon Snow, Channel 4 News "The story of Teach First is of an improbable dream that has become a remarkable reality; a thousand graduates making a vast impact on some of the most needy schools in Britain" Camila Batmanghelidjh, Founder of Kids Company " Teach First is an inspiration to everyone concerned with social change; that it really is possible to build a movement of people who want to help every child reach their potential." Lord Adonis, Former Education Minister "Teach First is changing the face of English education - and English society. It has made teaching in challenging state schools not only a job, but a mission, for many of the highest achieving graduates, the sort who would never have dreamed of going into teaching a decade ago. Brett Wigdortz's story is passionate, honest, inspiring and very moving. It is a testament to vision and leadership, full of optimism and faith in the power of the human spirit to create the world anew." Joseph W Saunders, Chairman and Chief Executive Visa Inc "Brett's insight is that strong leadership can change lives. He brought a business approach to the world of British education that has the potential to change it forever. Every business leader and entrepreneur can learn from his experience." Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College and Blair Biographer "The remarkable, gripping and often funny story of a young American on a personal crusade; to succeed at mission impossible, to break down Britain's chronic educational divide." Jo Owen, Leadership Guru and best-selling business author "Read this book and learn how to become a successful CEO without any qualifications or experience. It is a rollercoaster ride packed with invaluable lessons for all aspiring leaders. This is inspiring and insightful...a gripping read" Jim O'Neil, Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management "Teach First is one of those rare things - a big idea that changes society. This book is a must-read for those who want to learn how they too can lead real change in the world. "

Ten years ago, when 28-year-old, McKinsey-trained American management consultant Brett Wigdortz told his employers that he was leaving to "found an organisation designed to address educational disadvantage in Britain", they laughed. He was, after all, an under-qualified immigrant with no public policy experience, and no experience in teaching; he had never led anything before, never managed anyone. And he thought he was going to crack the hardest nut of all - the class-ridden injustices of the British education system. This is the story of how a tiny independent charity has succeeded against all odds. Having met nothing but resistance in its early years, Teach First is today Britain's largest employer of graduates. It receives over 7000 applications for 1000 teaching positions annually in the most challenging schools in the country. In this searingly honest account of how he got Teach First to where it is today, Brett shows how by combining the best of his McKinsey training with a personal passion, he has turned a simple idea into a runaway success. He offers tips and advice based on everything he has learned along the way - How to write a business plan, How to hire the right team through to How to balance the books and How to become a CEO with zero qualifications. This is a story about turning no into yes. It's a story to encourage anyone else out there with a vision for change to go out and make it happen.