Teacher Training

At Ormiston SWB Academy we are proud of the support that we offer to teachers new to the profession as well as the links and relationships we have built with our Initial Teacher Training providers. We believe that the structured programme of support and provision that we offer for new entrants into the profession has led us to grow and retain dynamic and passionate staff. 

We believe in giving Early Career Teachers (ECTs) the space to grow, reflect and develop in a supportive environment guided by dedicated, expert mentors. 

If you are interested in training to teach, information is provided below on potential routes into teaching we can offer you here at Ormiston SWB Academy as well as the types of support you can expect to receive. We encourage you to get in touch for an informal discussion about the options available to you or to organise a taster day. 

Routes into teaching

There are a number of routes you can take if you are interested in becoming a teacher and a number of opportunities to achieve this at Ormiston SWB Academy. 

We have a number of PGCE trainees join us every year across a range of subjects. We have links with a number of ITT providers, including: 

Wolverhampton University 

Birmingham City University 

University of Birmingham 

The OAKs (OAT and Keele University) 

Haybridge SCITT 

Barr Beacon SCITT 

School Direct is a one-year school-led route into teaching. If chosen as your main placement school, you would spend 4 days teaching at Ormiston SWB Academy and 1 day training at university through the Wood Green ITT Alliance. 

If you are a graduate and considering a career in teaching, then Step into Teaching provides practical school experience at Ormiston SWB Academy, working as a Teaching Assistant or Academic Coach, to prepare you for entering a training programme, all whilst earning a salary. There could subsequently be an opportunity for you to train with us should a vacancy arise. 

We currently have teachers in school who are part of the Teach First training programme, after working in a support staff role and wanting to advance their career to the next level and train to become a teacher. This is a two-year route, where you would be employed as an unqualified teacher but completing training through Teach First as well as experiencing training days and attending conferences at other schools and partner universities.  

If you already have a significant amount of experience working as an unqualified teacher, you may be entitled to gain QTS through the assessment only route. This would involve taking up the position of an unqualified teacher post and compiling a portfolio of evidence demonstrating how you are meeting the Teachers’ Standards. 

If you are already teaching in Further Education you may be eligible to complete a six-month period of Professional Formation through the Society for Education and Training to enable you to teach as a qualified teacher in a secondary school. We have experience in this area, and a number of colleagues who have moved from teaching in FE to teaching at Ormiston SWB Academy. 

What you can expect as a trainee at Ormiston SWB Academy 

  • An induction programme including meeting key staff, opportunities to observe teachers, clear guidance on our Academy’s routines and procedures as well as other planned activities designed to ensure a smooth transition into teaching.  
  • A dedicated, experienced mentor with regular, protected timetabled meeting slots 
  • A supportive department and dedicated time for co-planning with colleagues 
  • Access to expert colleagues with our open-door policy, Lead Practitioner shared space and visible SLT presence around the school 
  • Weekly ITT specific CPD led by expert colleagues across the Academy 
  • Regular formal and informal observations with prompt feedback 
  • Experience as a Personal Tutor and the delivery of our CORE programme 
  • Opportunities to be involved with all staff CPD and INSET days 
  • Be part of a network of trainee teachers and ECTs across the Academy and develop in a cooperative and supportive environment. 

Professional development 

After gaining QTS, many of our trainees go on to gain employment with us and access to continued professional development. 

As an Early Career Teacher you can expect the following support: 

10% reduced timetable to engage with the Early Career Framework 

A structured programme of self-directed study and follow up mentor meetings, following the EDT ECT programme 

Subject mentor with weekly timetabled meeting slots 

An Induction Tutor with half-termly observations and feedback to monitor your support and ensure you continue your professional development. 

Regular ECT specific CPD based on the ECF led by expert staff across the Academy 

Access to all OAT related training sessions (both ECT and subject specific) 

5% reduced timetable to engage with the Early Career Framework 

A structured programme of self-directed study and follow up mentor meetings, following the EDT ECT programme 

Subject mentor with bi-weekly timetabled meeting slots 

An Induction Tutor with half-termly observations and feedback to monitor your support and ensure you continue your professional development. 

Regular ECT specific CPD based on the ECF led by expert staff across the Academy 

Access to all OAT related training sessions (both ECT and subject specific) 

All teachers follow the Appraisal cycle following on from completing their Induction as an Early Career Teacher. This means the setting of personalised targets and tailored professional development activities via internal or external CPD. 

As an Academy and as part of the Ormiston Trust we also offer applications for NPQs in the following areas: 

National Professional Qualification for Leaching Teaching (NPQLT) 

National Professional Qualification for Leaching Teacher Development (NPQLTD) 

National Professional Qualification for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) 

National Professional Qualification for Leaching Literacy (NPQLL) 

National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) 

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) 

National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) 

National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL) 

As well as this, you may be interested in furthering your professional development in the following areas: 

  • Support and training to become a mentor yourself 
  • OAT Aspiring Leaders programme 
  • Instructional Coaching programme 
  • Access to subject networks across the OAT trust 
  • Specialised support from regional subject specific LPs 

Meet the team and get in touch

If you are considering a career in teaching and would like to have a discussion around the options available to you, how we can support you at Ormiston SWB Academy or would like to organise a taster day please contact Shannon Priest, [email protected] , for more information.