Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, has visited Little Ilford School. During the visit, he taught a Maths lesson as part of Teach First Week.

As Schools Minister in 2001, Mr Timms oversaw the creation of the Teach First. The programmes seeks to recruit, train and place top-flight graduates in inner city schools for a period of two years, to address educational disadvantage through exceptional and inspirational teaching.

After arriving at Little Ilford, Mr Timms met with two Teach First graduates who have been placed at the school. Both teachers spoke of their positive experiences of teaching at Little Ilford and of their ambition to stay in the education sector after they have finished the programme.

Mr Timms then went into the main hall were he spoke to the assembled pupils about his role as a local MP and as a Minister in the Treasury. He later introduced the class to taxation – an area of policy which he is directly responsible for as Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Afterwards, the pupils worked through a number of pre-prepared worksheets in which, amongst other exercises, they calculated the amount of corporation tax firms should pay on their profits.

Speaking about the workshop, Sohal Gachi, Head of Mathematics, said: “It was great to see the students developing a better understanding of the work of the Government and using maths in a real life context to do tax calculations. The students found it interesting to meet a Government Minister and exchange ideas.”

Speaking about the experience, Mr Timms said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Little Ilford. It was a pleasure to meet with the Teach First graduates and I am delighted that they are enjoying their time at the school. I understand they are great assets to Little Ilford and are proof that Teach First is a valuable programme which provides first rate graduates to many schools up and down the country.” 

Commenting on taking a maths lesson, he said: “I was impressed by way the pupils tackled the questions I set for them. Their energy and enthusiasm was plain to see.”