Over 400 teachers, educationalists and school staff came together recently for an education conference which took place at Middlesbrough’s Teesside University.

Ad Astra Academy Trust, which has ten primary schools under its umbrella across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool, hosted its annual Festival of Education entitled ‘Strong Foundations, Brighter Futures’.

The event was opened by pupils from Sunnyside Academy’s school choir and staff choir who impressed delegates with their singing and music repertoire. delivering a moving performance that celebrated inclusion, belonging and the belief that every child has the potential to succeed.

Speaking at the conference, Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Success is not what happens while children are with us, success is who they become because of us.”

Mr Brown cited the example of Middlesbrough-born footballer Robbie Blake who he taught in the 80s and went on to be a Premier League footballer.

“Regularly, I had pressure as the PE lead to ban him from school football matches because of the difficulties he had managing the school day. I felt differently, football was his outlet, his means to being successful, why take that away from him?

“I could see football gave him something many children need – a place to belong and a reason to believe in himself.

“I could see football was a way out for him. Somebody believed in him before the rest of the world did,” said Mr Brown.

He added: “Like every trust, we face challenges – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform, attendance and funding pressures. Yet our response remains the same: we support one another, we innovate together, and we keep children at the centre of every decision.

“I firmly believe that when you look to me and the Trust, you should see values-driven leadership.

“I was so pleased to see that 92% of you stated in the recent survey about our strong staff support and relationships and how comfortable you were in getting help when you need it- that demonstrates we are a values-driven trust.

“Our strength has never been individual schools. Our strength has always been and always will be what happens when schools work together.

“Great schools don’t just create successful pupils; they create successful adults.”

Mr Brown went on to give several examples across the trust’s schools where excellence has been achieved over the last year.

During the day-long event there were keynote speakers including Chris Zarraga of Schools North East and several workshops covering a range of education issues ranging from early years pupil development and parental communications to self-care and mental health.

Money was also raised at the event for Tom’s Trust, a UK charity with substantial presence in The Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, where former West Park Primary School pupil Alex Bell received treatment before he sadly passed away in 2026 aged just 11.

For further information about Tom’s Trust or to donate, visit www.tomstrust.org.uk/donate/

Pupils from Ayresome Primary School, performed an uplifting dance with the message of ‘different countries, one team’ demonstrating their inclusive culture.

The event was closed by well-known local musician Mike McGrother and the Infant Hercules Pub Choir. All of the male staff in Ad Astra were invited onto stage standing shoulder to shoulder with Infant Hercules, reminding everyone in the room of the transformative power of music.

The ten primary schools within Ad Astra are Barnard Grove, Brougham, 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.

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last eleven years has grown across the Tees Valley, providing education for over 3,500 pupils and over 500 employees.