A North-East teacher training programme is helping people reach their career goals and lifetime ambitions.

Ad Astra Academy Trust, which has ten primary schools under its umbrella, took on eleven new recruits in September who are all hoping to become newly qualified teachers within one year.

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

The ‘Train to Teach’ programme has a 100% success rate of trainees acquiring teaching jobs at the end of the scheme.

As part of the programme, Ad Astra Academy Trust recently teamed up with Lingfield Education Trust to organise a day-long conference for trainees from both trusts.

Helen Durnion, School Improvement Lead for Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Our new trainees are all thriving in their roles, but we are always exploring ways in which we can improve the experience for them.

“Working together with another trust provides an opportunity to share experiences and ideas and also enables trainees to widen their network of contacts.”

The ‘Train to Teach’ programme offers an alternative to going to university to obtain a teaching degree. Trainees spend around 80% of their time in the classroom which is great preparation for when they become newly qualified teachers.

Kristen Connell is a trainee at West Park Primary School, with a Year 1/2 class after previously working as a teaching assistant.

Kirsten said: “I’m really pleased I made the leap from being a teaching assistant. Since I started the trainee role, my confidence has grown and to see young children progress is the best feeling ever and very fulfilling.”

Maria McSorley is doing her training in a reception class At Redcar’s Zetland Primary School after working for the last five years at Middlesborough Council in their Early Years/Inclusion Team.

Maria said: “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and when the trainee opportunity came along, the timing was just right for me now that my children are a bit older.

“I’m loving every minute of the trainee programme. There is lots of support and the school has been very welcoming and supportive.”

Lingfield Education Trust operates 24 schools across the North-East.

Victoria Patton, Lead Mentor with Lingfield Education Trust, said: “This is the second year that we have ran the trainee programme and we have a very high success rate of trainees gaining employment as a qualified teacher.

“We are delighted to be working closely with Ad Astra Academy Trust. Sharing our expertise and bringing our trainees together can only result in positive benefits for everyone involved.”

Enrolment is open for Ad Astra’s 2026 programme. To apply, visit  https://adastraschools.org/about-us/scitt/apply/

Alternatively, for more information, email traintoteach@adastraacademytrust.com

Applicants need to have a degree for the ‘Train to Teach programme. Trainees graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

A group of schools across Teesside and County Durham have welcomed forty new staff during a special event.

Ad Astra Academy Trust, which has ten primary schools under its umbrella, is one of the area’s biggest employers with 525 members of staff.

The Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last ten years has grown and now provides education for over 3,500 pupils.

The event was held at Hartlepool’s Queens Meadow Business Park for staff who have joined the Trust in the last year.

Speaking to staff at the event, Andy Brown, OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra said: “You are part of a large organisation, and it is important that you get to know others working across the Trust.”

He emphasised that ‘Working together for children’ is one of the key values for the Trust and added: “We are all in this for the children. We want all of our pupils to succeed but we can only do that if we look after our staff and ensure that they have a healthy work/life balance.”

Mr Brown went on to highlight that supporting staff is a strength of the Trust and added: “One of the benefits of working in a large Trust is that you will never be isolated. There is always someone to support you and we all help each other.”

Michael Roberts, who joined Rosebrook Primary School in Stockton-on-Tees in May as a sports coach said: “I studied Sport & Exercise Coaching Sciences at university but for the previous five years I had been working as a warehouse manager.

“I am really pleased I made the switch. Every day is different, and I love the job.”

Megan Brown started at Brougham Primary School earlier this month (September 2025) as a Year 2 teacher.

Megan said: “I qualified in July 2024 and was working as a supply teacher at Brougham. Having attended neighbouring Dyke House School, I am very familiar with Brougham.

“I love the culture within the school; there is great support from staff, and everyone has been very welcoming.”

Harry Ashley has also just started at Brougham as a Year 6 teacher after studying Sports Science at university and completing a one-year teacher training programme.

Harry commented: “I know the school really well and I am very excited to begin my teaching journey at Brougham.

“I am really looking forward to supporting the children and helping them become the best they can be.”

Claire Howe, who has a primary teacher degree, started as a teaching assistant at West View Primary School last November.

Claire said: “I’ve been a teaching assistant for the last 18 years but jumped at the opportunity at West View when it came along.

“I know a lot of people whose children have gone to West View, and everyone speaks highly about the school. It is a fantastic school, and I am delighted to be part of it.”

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

A school academy trust has taken on eleven new trainees who hope to become newly qualified teachers within the next 12 months.

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

The ‘Train to Teach’ programme, which is run by Ad Astra Academy Trust, has a 100% success rate of trainees acquiring teaching jobs at the end of the one-year scheme.

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 course lead, said: “We are very proud of the programme and delighted to welcome our latest trainees.

“The programme offers an alternative to going to university to obtain a teaching degree. There is also the advantage that people train on the job and get first-hand experience in the classroom which is great preparation for when they become newly qualified teachers.

“Initially, participants spend approximately 40% in the classroom and at the end of their third and final term they are 80% classroom based.”

Trainees will be based at all ten of Ad Astra’s primary schools. They are Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees, Barnard Grove, Brougham, West Park and West View in Hartlepool and Deaf Hill and Kelloe in County Durham.

As part of the programme, a new training hub has been created at Hartlepool’s West Park Primary School.

Louise Sheffield, Headteacher at West Park, who spent ten years of her education career training teachers, said: “We’ve converted a former storeroom at the school into a state-of-the-art training hub which is a fantastic new resource for the programme.

“Although all of the new recruits have been allocated their own class, they will also get the opportunity to gain experience working at other schools across the Trust.”

Trainee Caroline Hall, who has spent 30 years working in Human Resources across the banking sector and has a degree in Education, is excited about the career change.

She said: “I’m passionate about learning and this is is a great opportunity to help shape young people’s minds. Hopefully, I can bring my knowledge and experience to the classroom, and it is great that most of the training is classroom based where we will have the benefit of learning from experienced teachers.”

Kyle Higgins, who has been working in a children’s home for the last two years is equally excited about the opportunity, commenting: “Despite studying law at university, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.

“I jumped at the opportunity when I saw it because it gives me the chance to train on the job and gain valuable experience so that I am classroom ready when I qualify. I’ve already met the pupils in my class, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Applicants need to have a degree for the ‘Train to Teach programme. Enrolment for the 2026 programme opens on 30 September 2025. To apply, visit  https://adastraschools.org/about-us/scitt/apply/

Alternatively, for more information, email traintoteach@adastraacademytrust.com

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

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

Ad Astra Academy Trust, which has ten primary schools under its umbrella across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool, held its annual Festival of Education where the focus was on inclusion.

The event was opened by pupils from West Park Primary School’s choir and the Trust Pupil Leadership Team who talked about what inclusion means to them.

Speaking at the conference, Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “This conference aims to provide the staff of Ad Astra with the tools, strategies, and insights needed to foster inclusive classrooms that support the diverse needs of all of our children.

“Each year, this gathering grows in strength and in number—and that speaks volumes about the commitment, passion, and unity across our trust.

“Our conference this year is entitled ‘To the Stars Together – An Inclusive Learning Festival’; Inclusion is central to every decision I make as CEO.

“What a brilliant year we have had. As CEO I have never been so proud of Ad Astra, we are nearly 10 years old and have 100% of schools judged by Ofsted to be good.”

Mr Brown went on to cite several examples across the trust’s schools where excellence has been achieved over the last year, with pupils been at the heart of decision making.

During the day-long event there were keynote speakers and several workshops covering a range of education issues ranging from recognising Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and supporting pupils with anxiety to strategies that benefit all pupils in the classroom.

The trust also unveiled a Teachers’ Forum during the conference made up of teachers and school staff representing a mix of career stages, experiences and perspectives.

Andy Brown commented: “The purpose of the Teachers’ Forum is to inform, challenge, and shape the direction of our trust. This initiative is about amplifying the voices of those at the heart of the classroom and creating a vital bridge between our frontline and trust leadership.”

Recognition was also given at the event to Chris Simmons, the former chair of Ad Astra Academy Trust after he recently received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Andy Brown said: “How wonderful it was it to see our previous chair, Chris Simmons receive an MBE. He was very instrumental in setting Ad Astra up and it’s so well deserved.”

Speaking at the close of the conference, Richenda Broad, chair of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Thank you all so much for curating and organising such an enjoyable day – it really is appreciated.

“The day encapsulated the best in Continuous Professional Development (CPD).  It was engaging, thought provoking, inspirational and motivational, and did all these things almost by stealth because it was all so enjoyable.”

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 ten years has grown across the Tees Valley, providing education for over 3,500 pupils and over 500 employees.

The packed delegate hall for Ad Astra Academy Trust’s Festival of Education

A Hartlepool teacher is calling time on her education career after working in the same primary school for the last thirty-five years.

Caroline Tyerman started working at Brougham Primary School in 1990 as a Year 5/6 teacher (10/11-year-olds) and after undertaking various roles at the school, the popular staff member will call it a day at the end of the Summer.

Caroline, who is currently the school’s Lead Practioner for SEND (Special Educational needs and Disabilities), said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Brougham and will leave with many fond memories.

“Brougham is a very tight knit community, and the school is at the heart of it. During my time here I’ve built up wonderful relationships with parents and pupils and always tried my utmost to support them in every way – both inside and outside of school.

“Brougham is a very different school to when I first started. I feel the school is in a much better place now; there is a very strong leadership team which are always driving new initiatives.

“Brougham is now in a position where it is able to provide support to other schools, and this is testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone associated with the school.”

Caroline said that she is looking forward to her retirement and is planning to travel and spend more time with her family. She is also an avid Middlesbrough FC fan.

Sarah Greenan, Headteacher of Brougham Primary School, said: “Caroline has taught various year groups during her time at the school and for the last five years has been our Lead Practioner for SEND.

“She has vast experience and knowledge and has also been a brilliant mentor to the school’s senior leaders. She is the ‘go to’ person in the school and has always gone above and beyond.

“Caroline knows the school inside out and the support she has given to staff over the years has been invaluable. There’s no doubt that she’ll be missed but she’s going to continue as a volunteer which is great as she will continue to be a valuable asset to the school.”

Caroline has led the PE and Science curriculums at the school and also ran the football and cricket teams. She has also accompanied pupils every year to the Carlton Camp residential centre.

Brougham is one of ten schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer with Ad Astra, said: “Caroline has been a brilliant ambassador for Brougham during her 35 years at the school.

“She epitomises everything that you want to see in a teacher and her service has been exemplary. I wish her a long and happy retirement.”

The other primary schools within Ad Astra 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 Durham.

Children from ten primary schools across Teesside and County Durham came together recently (7 June) to demonstrate their sporting talents.

Pupils from Ad Astra Academy Trust schools met up for the day-long sports event at Middlesbrough Sports Village where they competed in a range of events including running, long jump, hurdles and distance throwing.

Pete Wiley and Helen Durnion, School Improvement Leads with Ad Astra, helped co-ordinate the event.

Pete Wiley said: “We organise regular collaborative events for our schools and the sports event was a huge success.

“All of the pupils showed their determination to succeed. They gave their all and competed in a very respectful manner.

“One of our primary schools (Ayresome) hold their annual sports day at Middlesbrough Sports Village so we modelled their programme and it worked really well.

“Performing at such a notable regional sporting venue like Middlesbrough Sports Village can only help inspire our pupils to achieve high in their chosen sports.”

Around 150 youngsters aged between 7 and 11 took part in the event and they all received a medal.

A rosette was also awarded to a child from each school who was judged to best reflect the Ad Astra Academy Trust STARS (Support, Togetherness, Achieve, Respect, Success) values.

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

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “This was a wonderful event, and I would like to thank everyone who contributed to its success.

“As a Trust we encourage our pupils to participate in sport and physical activity as part of our overall approach to promote healthy lifestyles.

“Events like this are also important because they provide an opportunity for our children to meet their counterparts from other schools.”

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last nine years has grown across the Tees Valley, providing education for over 3,500 pupils and 525 employees in Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool.

Children from eight primary school across Teesside came together this week (24 January) to demonstrate their creative art talents.

Pupils from Ad Astra Academy Trust schools met up at Sunnyside Academy in Coulby Newham for the day-long event where they made ceramic tiles from clay.

Prior to the event, pupils were tasked with designing their tiles to reflect the principles and values of individual Ad Astra schools.

Helen Craggs, Art Leader at Sunnyside Academy, who helped co-ordinate the event, said: “This is the first time that Ad Astra schools have collaborated on an event like this.

“Sunnyside Academy is the only school within Ad Astra to have its own kiln, so it is an ideal location.

“The event has given children the opportunity to demonstrate their creative talent and all of the ceramic tiles will be displayed at Ad Astra’s Festival of Education later this year.”

The eight schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra are Sunnyside and Ayresome in Middlesbrough, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees and Barnard Grove, Brougham, West Park and West View in Hartlepool.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, added: “Creative arts features strongly in all of our schools and is an important part of the curriculum.

“All of the children have fully embraced the event. The artwork is of an exceptional standard, and I am very proud of all the pupils who participated.”

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last nine years has grown across the Tees Valley, providing education for over 3,500 pupils and 525 employees in Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool.

Issued by Alastair Rae, on behalf of Ad Astra Academy Trust. For further information, call 07581239557.

25 January 2024

The headteacher of Brougham Primary School has paid tribute to everyone following the fire to the school nursery during the summer holidays.

The nursery and pre-school area suffered significant damage following the fire on 13 August

Sarah Greenan, Headteacher of Brougham Primary School, said: It has certainly been a challenging time for everyone associated with the school, but our jobs have been made much easier thanks to the amazing support we’ve received.

“We are making good progress and our contractors are working closely with the insurers to ensure that the nursery and preschool classrooms are cleared ready for the refurbishment to begin.

“In the meantime, nursery and preschool children will be taught in temporary classrooms which arrived on site recently and are currently in the process of being fitted out ready for our youngest children to return on Monday 18 September.

“Once fitted out, we will be able to start to add furniture and resources to create a stimulating and exciting environment.”

Pupils from Reception to Year 6 return to Brougham on Tuesday 5 September.

Sarah Greenan continued: “We are determined to ensure that this devastating event does not affect our school vision to provide the best education for our pupils to help them to ‘be the best they can be’.

“To do this we will continue to provide a wonderful school curriculum by ensuring that all items and resources lost are replaced. This has been helped by donations from other schools, particularly those in our Trust. The support from the community has also been fantastic and has really helped to raise the spirits of the staff in school.

“We will continue to keep all parents updated on the progress of the refurbishment and we are looking forward to welcoming our youngest pupils back to school.”

Brougham is one of eight primary schools across Teesside under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

The other primary schools within Ad Astra Academy Trust are Barnard Grove, West Park and West View in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees and Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough.

A Hartlepool primary school is celebrating after receiving national recognition for its commitment to nature and protecting the environment.

Brougham Primary School has achieved ‘Young Tree Champion National Beacon School Status’ from The Tree Council for its Forest School project.

The Tree Council is a national body that brings everyone together with a shared mission to care for trees and the planet’s future.

The school started the project last year by transforming a grass field area into a wealth of flowers, trees, and shrubs to encourage wildlife.

Helen Moore, who has led on the initiative at Brougham, said: “The children have worked together to create various areas within the space whilst thinking about the different wildlife we wanted to encourage to visit.

“We’ve created a whole school vegetable patch where the children planted seasonal vegetables. They have been watering them and checking on them regularly. Already we’ve had delicious radishes and the carrots are coming on nicely. We’ve also planted potatoes, beans, and strawberries.

“We have planted trees, hedgerows and wildflowers that we have watered and looked after and now we are seeing the fruits of our labour. The Forest School is alive with beautiful wildflowers, lush meadow grass, new trees and hedgerows and we are seeing an increasing number of ladybirds, butterflies, and bees. Children have also created a bird-feeding station.

“It has been a great experience for our children. They have taken ownership of the space and I have seen first-hand the pleasure it has brought to them, spending time outdoors working on the development of the site with their friends.

“It has been a fantastic team effort and we’ve even had parents donating wooden planters for the wildflowers.

“I am incredibly proud of all the children for the passion and dedication they have shown, and everyone is looking forward to developing the site further in the months and years ahead.”

Brougham is one of eight primary schools across Teesside under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Sarah Greenan, Headteacher at Brougham Primary School, commented: “One of the best ways we can enjoy and protect our environment is through the planting of trees.

“At Brougham, we are so excited about being named as a Young Tree Champion National Beacon School as it highlights our approach for fostering a love for nature and our commitment to a more sustainable future.

“To achieve Beacon Status the pupils undertook a series of activities to highlight the importance of trees in tackling climate change and the benefits of being in nature for our health and wellbeing.

“As a Beacon School, we will now benefit from additional trees and hedgerow packs, tailored to our forest school’s plans, additional free technology, such as wildlife cameras and opportunities to trial and develop new resources.

“This is a great achievement, and I would like to thank all the pupils and staff, particularly Mrs Moore for all of their hard work and dedication to developing our outdoor learning environment on our school grounds.”

The others Ad Astra Academy Trust primary schools are Barnard Grove, West Park and West View in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees and Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough.

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last eight years has grown across the Tees Valley, providing education for over 3,500 pupils and 525 employees in Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Hartlepool.

Helen Moore of Brougham Primary School is pictured with pupils celebrating Beacon Status for their Forest School.

Tyler Railton and Fallon Moore at the bird feeding station.

Aubrey Moore and Aiden Moore survey the strawberry plants.

Daniel Markitans and Ava Marper check on the wildflowers.