Grace Brown
Grace Brown, 31, is proud to now be training as a teacher with Ormiston Teacher Training at the West Midlands campus and the same school where she was once a pupil herself. Before beginning her training, Grace spent 14 years working as a hair and make-up artist in the film and TV industry. While she loved the creativity of her role, she began to crave more purpose and long-term stability for her family. In 2019, she gained a degree in Public Health and later worked as a one-to-one tutor in an SEMH school, an experience that revealed her passion for supporting young people and set her firmly on the path to teaching.
“I chose to teach to inspire and empower the next generation to believe they can do anything that they put their minds to and make the world a better place.”
Grace’s motivation to teach comes from her own experiences and a desire to look back on her life knowing she’s made a real difference, even if it’s just in one child’s world. Thinking about the teachers who shaped her and how pivotal they were in her journey – Grace aspires to be that same guiding influence for her own students.
With a background in Public Health, she is particularly fascinated by how people and places shape one another. She hopes her enthusiasm for environments and local heritage will inspire her students to take pride in their communities and explore the wider world.
Choosing Ormiston was a natural step. Not only had Grace heard glowing recommendations from teachers, but she also attended an Ormiston Academy herself and remembers it as a hugely positive experience. She hadn’t realised that OTT had a training hub so close to home, so discovering she could train locally with a SCITT with such a strong reputation made Ormiston her first choice.
Like many trainees, Grace has been preparing by brushing up on subject knowledge, reflecting on her school experiences, and of course gathering plenty of new stationery. As a mother of two, she’s also excited about building a career that balances meaningful impact with family life.
“I never want to miss another school holiday with my boys. They only have 18 summers in childhood, and teaching lets me share that precious time with them.”
Looking ahead, Grace is especially drawn to working with pupils who have additional needs, after falling in love with supporting students with social, emotional and mental health challenges in her previous role. In the future, she hopes to support not just students but also colleagues, helping schools adapt to the growing demand for SEND provision. For now, she is eager to get started, meet her students and begin inspiring the next generation – ensuring every child she teaches leaves school equipped not just with knowledge, but with confidence in themselves.
“I want to be that ‘David Attenborough’ style teacher who sparks curiosity, pride and a passion for protecting our planet. Geography lets you travel the world without moving – how exciting is that?”