Kaye sets out how Ormiston Teacher Training, has been designed around the specific communities its schools serve. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Ormiston Teacher Training is delivered across four regional campuses in Norfolk, the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Suffolk, each led by someone with direct local teaching experience. Trainees are given a grounding in the demographics and challenges of their area – from supporting high proportions of EAL students in Stoke, to understanding the distinct pressures facing coastal communities – so that they arrive in the classroom already attuned to their pupils’ lives.
The article also highlights how Ormiston Teacher Training actively builds community relationships as part of training, including a partnership with Norwich City Football Club’s academy to give trainees experience of one-to-one tutoring with young players needing extra support. Kaye highlights how a locally rooted, holistic approach not only makes trainees more confident and effective, but also attracts people from non-traditional backgrounds – including former Ormiston students – helping to diversify the profession and bring fresh perspectives into the classroom.