The trainees, specialising in English, maths, science, French and history, are a mix of recent undergraduates and those who have had jobs in other sectors but who want a career change to teaching. They are having their first placements at Brooke Weston Academy and will go onto other Trust schools for their second placement early next year.

Rachel Johnson, Frankie Macleod and Rebecca Liquorish are teachin English. Victoria Leonard is teaching French and Lewis Holdcroft is in Humanities teaching History. Hari Mistry is in the Maths department while Hannah Sneddon will be teaching chemistry.

Both Frankie and Hannah are former Brooke Weston Academy students while the others chose to apply for the School Direct programme here because of the reputation of Brooke Weston and its teaching school.

Rachel said: ‘I think this is a brilliant school. I love the ethos, I love the pace. The staff members that I have met are exceptional who believe passionately in what they do. The induction has been good and I have been looked after at Brooke every step of the way.’

Hannah said: ‘I chose Brooke because it feels like coming home. I thought it would be really interesting to see things from the other side because obviously I saw it as a student and now things have come full circle. I was lucky enough to have some amazing science teachers. I think it is really sad because so many students say they don’t like science and I want to make them excited about the subject.’

Mr Kevin Glesinger led the two-week induction programme for the trainees. He said: ‘Up to now the trainees have had university studies and this is their first opportunity to get in front of real students in a classroom situation and teach. It is an exciting but nerve-wracking time for them and we are offering as much support and advice as possible. Our newest colleagues have received a warm welcome from their respective departments and I am sure we will see them progress rapidly in their professional practice both at Brooke Weston and across the Trust.