Melrose Education and The Orchard School are delighted to celebrate a significant milestone as Sophie Burrett, a dedicated member of The Orchard teaching team, has successfully met all teaching standards and been formally recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Sophie becomes the very first staff member to achieve QTS through Melrose Education’s enhanced staff development support, including mentoring, timetable adaptation, financial assistance, and tailored professional guidance.
Sophie’s assessment report highlights her exceptional commitment to inclusive teaching, her strong relationships with learners, and her reflective, research-informed practice. Throughout her time at The Orchard, Sophie has demonstrated a deep understanding of her learners’ needs, applying theory, creativity, and therapeutic approaches to ensure every child feels safe, valued, and ready to learn.
Her achievement marks not only a personal success, but also an important milestone for both Melrose Education and The Orchard School as they continue to invest in high-quality staff development and grow the next generation of specialist educators.
Tracey Storey, Founder, CEO and Executive Chair of Melrose Education, said:
“We are incredibly proud of Sophie and the dedication she has shown in achieving QTS. This milestone reflects her hard work, her passion for teaching, and her commitment to improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable learners. It also demonstrates the strength of our Melrose support systems, which are designed to give talented practitioners the opportunities and guidance they need to thrive. Sophie is a credit to The Orchard and to Melrose Education as a whole.”
Steve Broderick, Principal of The Orchard School, added:
“Sophie has been an invaluable member of our team. Her resilience, compassion, and reflective practice have had a profound impact on our learners and our wider school community. We are thrilled to see her recognised with QTS, and even more delighted that she achieved this through the support structures we have developed with Melrose. She embodies our HEART values and is a role model for both colleagues and learners.”
Reflecting on her achievement, Sophie Burrett said:
“I am so grateful for the support I’ve received from Melrose Education and The Orchard. The mentoring, professional development opportunities, and time given to grow in my practice have been invaluable. Working with our learners is a privilege, and I feel incredibly proud to have reached this milestone. I’m excited to continue developing as a teacher and to keep making a positive difference for our learners.”
Sophie’s award of QTS marks a proud moment for The Orchard School and for Melrose Education’s commitment to nurturing talent, growing future leaders, and ensuring every learner across the group has access to passionate, highly trained educators.