Joshua Drakard
Joshua Drakard’s path into teaching has been shaped by a lifelong passion for engineering and a deep-rooted commitment to service and community. A Repair Industrialisation Engineer by background, Joshua previously worked for a global aerospace company, specialising in the maintenance of aircraft components. Alongside his professional career, Joshua has spent over a decade as a uniformed volunteer with the RAF Air Cadets, and now serves as an adult volunteer a role that not only sparked his love for aviation but also revealed a natural talent for instruction and mentorship.
It was during his time working with young people in the Air Cadets that Joshua discovered a profound sense of purpose in teaching. “There’s nothing quite like watching a young person succeed because of the support and encouragement you’ve given them,” he explains. “Over the years, I realised I had more to offer – and education was the field where I could really make a difference.”
Joshua’s decision to train as a physics teacher was a natural one. Though an engineer at heart, he believes engineering is simply science in action and physics, with its breadth of fascinating topics, offers the perfect platform to share his enthusiasm with the next generation. “It’s a subject I’m genuinely passionate about, and that passion is something I want to pass on.”
Teaching also runs in Joshua’s family, his mother is an experienced English teacher, and his older brother is a learning support assistant. Their influence and encouragement further affirmed his decision to enter the classroom.
Joshua chose to train with Ormiston Teacher Training and is currently completing his training at the school he once attended, Ormiston Sudbury Academy, which is close to the RAF Air Cadet squadron where he still volunteers.
“I already felt connected to the community, and that’s made such a difference. Those existing relationships have helped me engage with students more effectively and really feel at home in the school.”
He credits the OTT programme and Suffolk campus, with providing the structure, preparation and support needed to take this major career step. From the subject knowledge enhancement course to the continual guidance from the ITT tutors and school staff, the support has been consistent and invaluable.
Preparation for teaching has come from many areas of his life, from delivering structured learning as a cadet instructor to the informal insights gained through conversations with his family about the realities of the classroom. Those seven years of experience helped Joshua hit the ground running.
Joshua’s approach in the classroom is rooted in empathy and mutual respect. “The students have academic goals, but they’re also growing, learning who they are. If we want to make a real impact, we have to meet them at that level.”
For Joshua, one of the standout aspects of his training has been the strong professional community within his school and OTT network. Everyone is focused on one goal enriching the lives of young people and being part of that shared mission is incredibly rewarding.
Looking ahead, Joshua is excited to step into his own classroom, creating a positive, nurturing environment where students can thrive. Over the next five to ten years, he hopes to take on a middle leadership role, with a long-term ambition of becoming Head of Faculty.“I want to become the best teacher I can be and then use that experience to lead meaningful, student-centred change – to better support the young people we care about and are so passionate about teaching.”