Phoebe Hill
Phoebe Hill, 23, is training to teach Biology with Ormiston Teacher Training, completing her School Direct (non-salaried) PGCE route at Ormiston Endeavour Academy – the very school where she previously worked as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA).
Phoebe’s journey into teaching hasn’t been entirely straightforward. Having always been drawn to education, she initially planned to teach Psychology and completed a degree in the subject during the COVID pandemic. It was while working as an LSA in a secondary school that her ambitions evolved.
“I realised high school wasn’t as scary as I remembered it,” she explains. “Supporting such a wide variety of students with their learning encouraged me to take that one extra step into teaching.”
Making a difference with teacher training
Working closely with pupils reignited her appreciation for the classroom environment and the impact teachers can have, not just academically, but personally. Although Psychology was her original focus, Phoebe found herself naturally transitioning into science. “I fell into Biology,” she says. “I was good at it at school and, being a science, I could transfer my skills. That eventually led me to teaching Biology and supporting across the sciences.”
Choosing the School Direct (non-salaried) PGCE route with Ormiston Teacher Training felt like the perfect fit. With a bursary available for her subject, the route offered both financial support and invaluable hands-on experience from day one. Having already been part of the Ormiston family, Phoebe was familiar with the training programme before applying. Conversations with the OTT team reassured her that the support network would be there when she needed it.
“The mentors are on your team throughout the whole course – whether your worries are about the placement or something outside of it. The cohort is relatively small, which makes such a difference. It really feels like a family.”
Preparation for the course included OTT’s ‘Flying Start’ days, designed to equip trainees with the foundations for classroom practice. While initially intense, Phoebe found them invaluable. Now training in a school she already knows well, Phoebe believes consistency and strong relationships are at the heart of her classroom impact.
“I feel like I’m a safe person in the classroom. Providing consistency allows pupils to thrive while still being themselves. Hearing your name shouted in the corridors or seeing a pupil’s pride when they get something right – those are the moments that remind you why you do this job.”
“Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you helped grow the spark of interest for your subject.”
Why choose Ormiston Teacher Training?
Through her journey from LSA to trainee teacher, Phoebe embodies the supportive, immersive and community-focused ethos of Ormiston Teacher Training – proof that sometimes the path into teaching begins by simply taking that one extra step. Looking ahead, Phoebe hopes to continue developing as a high-quality classroom practitioner, with ambitions to move into a pastoral role in the future.
If you’re looking to start a meaningful career in education and want to train in an environment where passion meets purpose, apply for the 2026 cohort. Join deep thinkers, dedicated educators and change-makers in training to become the next generation of teachers.
Shape lives. Shape your future. Teach with Ormiston.