Initial Teacher Training Tutor, Norwich

Coaching the next generation of teachers through experience and collaboration

• Trains new teachers, delivering curriculum sessions and supporting trainees across multiple partner schools.
• Draws on experience as an LSA and English teacher, using diverse classroom backgrounds to shape coaching and communication.
• Builds partnerships with schools, strengthening teacher development across a wide network.

I think it’s important to see education from different roles — it’s not just about going straight into the classroom. I started out as an LSA, a Learning Support Assistant, in a mainstream school in North London that had a provision for students on the autistic spectrum. That hybrid role really shaped how I responded to students and helped me develop my questioning, especially when working with such a diverse range of learners.

I’m Taryn Brown, and I’m an Initial Teacher Training Tutor — essentially, I teach teachers how to teach. I’ve been in this role for two to three years. I started while teaching English at City of Norwich School, where I was also an English subject expert. As I’ve got older, I’ve realised that one of my strengths is communication and breaking things down clearly. I think that comes from my background in team sports, where I moved from coaching in sport to coaching in a teaching sense.

This role has really expanded my skill set. I haven’t been a middle leader or a head of department in a school, but this position has allowed me to help grow our partnership of schools and mirror many of those leadership skills. Amy and I have focused on building a diverse partnership of schools and making sure students have what they need — brilliant teachers.

I work from home now, which is a brand new way of working for me after years in a school environment. When I’m not working from home, I’m out visiting schools, which I love. Every Thursday we deliver curriculum sessions at our base at Ormiston Venture Academy, so we’re still very involved in the school environment when working with trainees. I really enjoy the relationships we’re building with schools — all of us working collectively to develop great teachers.

Location: Ormiston Venture Academy (base) with visits to partner schools as part of the role.

Initial Teacher Training Tutor

Education Studies, English, History, Mathematics, Media, Psychology, Sociology

Coaching, Development, Education, English, Mentoring, Psychology, Teaching, Training