AdAstra Academy Trust Archives - West View Primary School

A group of schools across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool is offering people the opportunity to join a training programme and become a teacher within just ten months.

Ad Astra Academy Trust, which has ten primary schools under its umbrella, is appealing for people to come forward for its ‘Train to Teach’ programme for the 2027/28 academic year.

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

The programme has an impressive success rate with the large majority of previous trainees acquiring teaching jobs at the end of the ten-month scheme.

Helen Durnion, School Improvement Lead for Ad Astra Academy Trust and the course lead, said: “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 four days of the week in the classroom which is great preparation for when they become newly qualified teachers.”

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.

Sam Marino, Deputy Headteacher at Hartlepool’s West Park Primary School, who is involved in the programme, said: “We’re really passionate about attracting the next generation of teachers and showcasing the fantastic training opportunities we offer across our local schools.

“Trainees are supported every step of the way as they gain valuable experience across our group of schools. Once qualified, our new teachers can start earning at least £32,000 and build a meaningful career inspiring children and young people.

One of last year’s trainees – Caroline Hall – who secured a job at Hartlepool’s Barnard Grove Primary School said: “Completing the Train to Teach programme has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has challenged me, supported me and given me the knowledge and confidence to become a qualified teacher. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my teaching career.”

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

Applicants need to have a degree and a GCSE (grade 4 or higher) in Maths, English and Science for the Train to Teach programme.

Anyone interested in the Train to Teach programme can apply by visiting www.adastraschools.org/about-us/scitt/apply

Alternatively, call 01429 282090 or email traintoteach@adastraacademytrust.com

A group of schools across Teesside and County Durham have welcomed 22 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 eleven 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 (CEO) of Ad Astra said: “It gives me great pleasure to formally welcome you to our Trust.

“We are one big family and all work together to help one another. If we don’t know the answer to something we will find it somewhere across the Trust.”

Mr Brown went on to say that he is a responsive and reflective leader and isn’t afraid to change his mind after listening to headteachers and other staff.

He also said that staff well-being is paramount and a top priority in all schools.

He added: “As a Trust we continue to evolve, always exploring new ways of working to ensure that we do the very best for our children,”

Lauren Bramley, who has just started work as a teaching assistant at Hartlepool’s Brougham Primary School, said: “I previously worked in retail but now that my four children (aged 7 to 17) are growing up I was ready to return to work.

“After a period working at Brougham as a supply teaching assistant, I was encouraged to apply for a permanent position, and I am absolutely loving it. Everyone at the school is so friendly and supportive.”

Karen Anderson, who has worked for over two decades in early years education has just been appointed Assistant Headteacher (Early Years & Key Stage 1) at Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Primary School.

She said: “When I was studying, I spent two years on placement at Ayresome Primary School and when the Assistant Headteacher opportunity became available I didn’t hesitate.

“I knew straightaway it was right for me because of the previous connection and Ayresome has always been a school that’s remained close to my heart.

“I am thoroughly enjoying my new role; there’s fantastic support from the senior leadership team and I am loving every minute of it.”

Picture Caption – Andy Brown OBE (centre) is pictured with Ad Astra Academy Trust’s new starters.

21 September 2026

A group of newly qualified teachers have been celebrating after completing a 10-month in-house teacher training programme.

Six newly qualified teachers recently attended a special graduation ceremony at Hartlepool’s West Park Primary School after completing Ad Astra Academy Trust’s Train to Teach programme.

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

One of the graduates – Caroline Hall – who previously worked in the financial sector for 30 years, has secured a job at Barnard Grove Primary School.

She said: “Completing the Train to Teach programme has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has challenged me, supported me and given me the knowledge and confidence to become a qualified teacher. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my teaching career.”

Thomas Coverdale, who has trained at Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Primary School, commented: “Becoming a teacher has been a lifelong dream of mine, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see my dream become a reality thanks to Ad Astra’s Train to Teach scheme.”

Fellow graduate Kayleigh Brown added: “My training journey has been incredibly rewarding. The guidance of experienced teachers and supportive mentors, combined with daily classroom experience, has given me the confidence and skills to begin my teaching career.”

Under the 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 Train to Teach lead, said: “The graduation ceremony was a wonderful, celebratory occasion.

“All of our trainees have been totally committed to the programme over the last 10 months, and many have already secured teaching roles.

There are ten primary schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool. 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.

Anyone interested in the Train to Teach programme can apply from September 2027 by visiting www.adastraschools.org/about-us/scitt/

Alternatively, for more information, call 01429 282090 or email traintoteach@adastraacademytrust.com

Graduates are pictured at the ceremony with Ad Astra Academy Trust staff.

29 July 2026

A Hartlepool primary school has landed a major national award for its commitment to promoting water safety and protecting lives.

West View Primary School has received the Gold Water Smart Schools award from Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).

On average, every year 33 children in England drown which is the equivalent of a classroom of children lost.

Lauren Furness, Headteacher at West View Primary School, said: “This is a really important piece of work, given the school’s close proximity to the beach and open water.

“The recent tragedy at Seaton Carew reinforces just how important it is to promote water safety in schools, and our thoughts are with the two men’s families who sadly lost their lives.

“I’d like to thank everyone within the school for the work that has been undertaken to help keep our children and others safe from the vagaries of the water.”

Andy Lane, Education Manager for RLSS UK’s Water Smart Schools programme, said: “Having reviewed the evidence provided, I am very pleased to confirm that West View Primary School has achieved gold level accreditation – very well done indeed!

“Please accept my congratulations to everyone involved at the school for an amazing effort across all aspects of the programme! Your evidence submission is a best practice example of how to approach the programme, and I applaud you for your efforts.”

West View Primary School is one of ten primary schools across Hartlepool, Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra, said: “Water poses so many dangers whether that is the sea, rivers or reservoirs. The drownings at Seaton Carew recently are devastating for the families and our thoughts are with them, and everyone affected by this tragedy.

“It highlights just how important it is that we do everything we can in schools to raise awareness about water safety.”

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

Click below to listen to West View Primary School’s Caitlin Jones who has been heavily involved in the initiative.

Please click here to read our annual trust newsletter!

Children as young as two-years-old at a Hartlepool primary school have demonstrated their flair for art as part of a whole-school exhibition.

Pupils in all year groups at West View Primary School from pre-nursery (age 2) to Year 6 (age 11) showcased their work on the theme of nature.

Each class focused on a specific aspect of nature and studied an individual artist to help inspire their work.

Year 3 pupils studied the artist Georgina O’Keefe and created artwork based on various forms of flowers.

Michelle Crawford, a Year 3 teacher at West View and the school’s Arts Award Advisor, said: “The art exhibition was a fantastic success, with an incredible range of artwork from every year group.

“During the project, children used a variety of materials, including paint, watercolours, pastels and oil pastels.

“The excitement at the exhibition was contagious as children proudly shared their creations with their families, making it a joyful celebration of creativity across the whole school.

“Parents/carers were invited to view and purchase their child’s framed artwork with some of the proceeds being used to support the school. We had a brilliant turnout, and everyone was amazed with the standard of work on display.”

West View Primary School is one of ten primary schools across Hartlepool, Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra, commented: “Art is an important part of the curriculum and enables children to be creative in lots of different ways.

“I am very proud of the artwork produced by pupils at West View. All year groups have excelled and the quality of work on display was outstanding.”

A Hartlepool primary school has been awarded champion status for the way it teaches young children to read.

West View Primary School in Davison Drive is only the second school in the North-East of England to receive the prestigious accolade from Little Wandle – a Government backed national programme supporting over 5,000 schools.

To receive champion status, schools must meet 16 Standards of Excellence in the teaching of reading and phonics. The award will also result in West View sharing their exemplary practice with other schools.

Headteacher Lauren Furness said: “This is a wonderful achievement for West View, and I am very proud of the work undertaken by everyone at the school to ensure that our early years teaching of reading is of the highest quality.

“Being a champion school will involve sharing the work we are doing in the teaching of reading and phonics with other schools coming to see our Little Wandle programme in action.”

West View Primary School is one of ten primary schools across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, added: “This is a significant achievement for West View, and I’d like to thank the staff and everyone else associated with the school for their hard work.

“It’s brilliant that West View is only the second school in the North-East to join a select network of schools across the country in showcasing how they teach young children to read.”

Click on the link below to listen to Deputy Headteacher Katie Tailford talking to Gary Philipson from BBC Radio Tees.

BBC Radio Tees interview

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.

A Hartlepool primary school has been recognised by a national body for its commitment to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

West View Primary School in Davison Drive recently received a Silver quality mark following a visit from an organisation called Young Citizens.

In a letter to Headteacher Lauren Furness, verifier Sandra Saint states: “I am delighted to inform you that as a result of the recent verification visit, West View Primary School has been awarded Silver level of the National SMSC (Spiritual, moral, social and cultural) Quality Mark.

“West View Primary School most definitely has SMSC at its core and it is a fundamental aspect of the education that is provided. It is evident that everyone is indeed encouraged and empowered to ‘Dream Big, Aim High and Shine Bright’.

“There is such a welcoming, relaxed, calming atmosphere and physical environment which appears effortless. However, it is created with a great deal of careful consideration alongside a great deal of staff skill and dedication stemming from your commitment to The Curiosity Approach to learning.

“Please pass on my thanks to the pupils who gave me a tour of their school and chatted with me. They are obviously proud to be part of West View School and shared lots of valuable insights.

“I congratulate West View School on the silver standard of SMSC development that is afforded their pupils. However, I also must note that there is a great deal of ‘beyond gold’ level practice taking place.”

Lauren Furness commented: “Clearly, this is a very positive report which highlights the school’s commitment to spiritual, moral, social and cultural values.

“We have a fantastic team ethos here at West View and I would like to thank pupils, staff, parents/carers and everyone else who has played a part in this achievement.”

West View Primary School has xxx pupils on its roll between the ages of 2 and 11 and is one of ten primary schools across Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer for Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “This is an excellent achievement and well deserved. West View Primary school has a unique approach to teaching and learning and it is really pleasing to see it recognised in this way by a national body.”

To read the full report, click on the link below.

Young Citizens Report

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.”

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

25 January 2024