A newly qualified teacher is returning to the school he joined as a pupil 20 years ago.

Kyle Higgins (23) has just completed Ad Astra Academy Trust’s Train to Teach programme and will take charge of a Year 6 (10/11-year-olds) class at Hartlepool’s Brougham Primary School in September.

Under the scheme, participants train on the job rather than go to university and no previous teaching experience is required.

Kyle, who has a law degree and has experience of working in the residential care sector, is really looking forward to a career in teaching.

He said: “I’ve always fancied being a teacher and when I was made aware of the Train to Teach programme, I jumped at the opportunity.

“It is a really good scheme. A large proportion of the training is classroom based, and you have the opportunity to apply what you have learnt in a classroom environment.

“To have the opportunity to teach at my former school is very special to me as I have great childhood memories of attending Brougham from the age of three.

“The staff are amazing, the pupils are brilliant, and it is one big family with everyone supporting one another.”

Sarah Greenan, Headteacher of Brougham Primary School, taught Kyle when she was a class teacher.

Sarah said: “We are delighted to celebrate Kyle’s success, having flourished and now beginning his teaching career back where it all started.

“As someone I once taught, it is incredibly special to welcome him back as a colleague.

“We are very proud of him and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the next generation of Brougham pupils.”

Trainees graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Helen Durnion, School Improvement Lead for Ad Astra Academy Trust and the Train to Teach lead, said: “Kyle is a classic example of our approach to growing our own staff across the Trust.

“Kyle joined the scheme last September and ten months later after benefitting from our in-house training and support, he has secured his first teaching job.

“The programme offers an alternative to going to university to obtain a teaching degree and are very proud that all of our trainees who have previously completed the training have secured a teaching post at one of our schools.”

Brougham is one of ten primary schools within Ad Astra Academy Trust. The others are Barnard Grove, West Park and West View in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees, Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough and Deaf Hill and Kelloe in County Durham.

There are still vacancies for the 2026/27 programme starting in September. For further information or an informal chat, telephone 01429 874552 or email office@westpark.adastraschools.org