New teacher training hub for students established at Ormiston Sudbury Academy

The launch of a new teacher training hub has enabled a former Sudbury student to return to her old school to share her knowledge with the next generation of pupils.

Evie Smith, who graduated from Ormiston Sudbury Academy (OSA) in 2019, will begin training as a drama teacher at the school in Tudor Road from September, as part of The Oaks, a new teacher training programme.

Sudbury is the latest location of seven training hubs under the SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) scheme, which links the Ormiston Academies Trust with an established partnership of schools.

Following her studies for a performing arts degree at the University of Bedfordshire, Evie decided she wanted to return to OSA to pass on the same encouragement and enthusiasm she had as a student.

“I’m really looking forward to starting The Oaks and getting stuck into teaching,” she said.

“My time at Ormiston Sudbury Academy showed me how much of an effect teachers can have on young people’s futures, and I want to have that same positive impact too.

Leo Cox, The Oaks Suffolk co-director and head of performing arts at OSA, added: “When we set up our Sudbury hub, part of the reason was to ensure that young people in the area who are interested in a career in teaching will have really excellent provision available.

“It’s brilliant to be able to welcome former students like Evie back to the classroom, and we are really pleased that our academy is somewhere our students want to return to.

“I am very much looking forward to watching our new cohort take these next steps into teaching.”

Any young person interested in the programme can learn more here.