Teach First is a charity dedicated to ending inequality in education, and over the last 11 years has built a national reputation for collaborating with schools, local authorities and business partners to help close the attainment gap.
Every Child Can aims to break the cycle of educational disadvantage, and Wood is among over 60 leading figures from the worlds of business, politics, media, sport and entertainment to be trading in their day job for the classroom and helping to inspire pupils from low income communities.
The England flanker will be heading to Sidney Stringer Academy in Coventry to tell Year 10 pupils about his journey to becoming an international rugby player. Wood will be working alongside Teach First teacher, Hannah John, and says that he is excited to be a part of the campaign.
"I can really appreciate the value of having good role models at this impressionable age, people to inspire and push you," he commented. "I was very fortunate to have a number of such people in my life and they have inspired and guided me from an early age. Most of all, such role models helped me believe in myself, encouraging me to aim high in life.
"I am excited to be a part of the Every Child Can campaign and am really here to support the Teach First teachers in their vital role. Hopefully together we can provide these youngsters with belief and ambition to achieve."
Over the past decade over 400,000 young people have been taught by Teach First teachers, with more than 500 such teachers placed in 90 primary and secondary schools in the Midlands.
Every Child Can has been launched to help the charity raise £6.8 million this year to recruit exceptional people to teach in schools in low-income communities and ensure that young people from those areas across the country get an excellent education.
Teach First is aiming to raise £1 million before September 2013, and you can help by donating £3 to sponsor an Every Child Can lesson.
To do so text LESSON to 70111 or visit www.teachfirst.org.uk/everychildcan
