Teach First has launched a new brand and logo after discovering that few people were aware that it trains school leaders in addition to teachers.

The changes cost £136,266, which was paid for from voluntary income, not government funds, the organisation said.

Quick read: Teach First recruits ‘biggest and best’ cohort  

News: Teach First defends recruitment of teacher who struggled with reading and writing

Exclusive: Teach First turns the corner on declining recruitment

The educational charity said that its new strategy recognised that teachers were more likely to stay and thrive when supported by leaders with access to networks, services and support beyond the school system.

Teach First, which supports teachers, leaders and schools serving the most disadvantaged communities, has since its launch in 2002 recruited more than 14,000 teachers and leaders and numbers more than 60 heads along its alumni.

Teach First leadership training

Its recent survey of 3,434 teachers found that while 90 per cent were aware that Teach First trains teachers, only 17 per cent knew that it provides training to school leaders and only 23 per cent that training was offered to teachers who want to become leaders.

Just 7 per cent knew it provided leadership training to teachers who had not trained through Teach First.

Changes include a new logo (pictured) comprised of a set of building blocks, which Teach First said symbolised “building a fair education for all”.

Its main teacher training programme will become known simply as the Teach First Training Programme, rather than the Leadership Development Programme.

Chief executive Russell Hobby said: “Recruiting great teachers is only part of the puzzle to unlock the potential in all children.

“We all need to get behind schools and support them to thrive - making them places teachers and children can flourish.

“Our new brand signals another step in our journey. We are changing to meet the needs of the schools serving the most disadvantaged. Schools and teachers make a difference to young lives and we’re incredibly excited to now be supporting them at several levels as we work together to build a fair education for all.”