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.”

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.

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

21 September 2026

A Hartlepool primary school has received a national award for its commitment to providing quality playtimes for children.

West View Primary School has been handed a silver award from the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) programme following scrutiny by assessors.

Priya Mistry, a class teacher and Play Lead at West View Primary School, said: “There is a big commitment throughout the school to provide the best possible play opportunities for our children, and we are delighted that our work has been recognised nationally.

“To help achieve this we have a Play Charter which encourages active play, positive interactions, and thoughtful risk-taking, helping children develop confidence, cooperation, and responsibility outdoors.

“All of our staff are so passionate about enhancing play provision; continually improving opportunities to enrich children’s experiences, ensuring every day is enjoyable, and filled with memorable moments that support learning and development in the classroom.

“We are a ‘Silver’ OPAL school and remain on a journey to continue to improve the quality of our outdoor play provision for every pupil at West View.”

West View 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: “I’d like to congratulate everyone at West View Primary School for the fantastic work in providing a high standard of outdoor play.

“Children in primary schools spend about 20% of the school day in a play environment and it is so important to maximise this time to help children grow confidence, learn new skills and build friendships which have a really positive impact in the classroom.”

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.

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!

Staff from schools across Hartlepool, Teesside and County Durham are being recognised for their commitment and long service.

The 57 staff members have accumulated 1,060 years’ service between them and work for Ad Astra Academy Trust which has ten primary schools under its umbrella.

They include Barnard Grove, Brougham, West Park and West View in Hartlepool, Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees and Deaf Hill and Kelloe in County Durham.

Presentations are taking place at each school to mark long service ranging from 10 years to 40 years. Employees receive a letter from Ad Astra CEO Andy Brown OBE, a certificate and a long service badge.

Kathleen Bird, who has worked for 40 years as a lunchtime supervisor at Hartlepool’s Barnard Grove Primary School was delighted to receive her award.

She said: “I’ve been doing this job for a very long time, and it is nice to be appreciated.

“My job is to support the children in the dining hall which involves a variety of things from helping them to open food packets to cleaning up spillages.

“Over the years I’ve observed thousands of children going through primary school from age three to 11 which is lovely.

“I even get people coming up to me in street saying – Hi there, you used to be my dinner nanny.

“Barnard Grove is a great school; the children and staff are fantastic, and everyone looks after each other. I’ll keep doing the job for as long as I can.”

Lee Walker, Headteacher at Barnard Grove Primary School, said: “Long service awards are important as they acknowledge commitment and dedication to our children.

“In Kathleen Bird’s case, it is remarkable that she has served Barnard Grove in the same job for 40 years and we really appreciate the contribution she makes.”

Martyn Ingram, Ad Astra’s Human Resources Manager, added: “As A Trust, we feel it is really important to recognise staff for their dedication and hard work, and this is a way of thanking staff and showing our appreciation for their loyalty.”

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and employees over 500 staff.

Picture Caption – Lee Walker (back left) and Tilly Greer (back right) of Ad Astra Academy Trust are pictured with long service recipients and pupils at Barnard Grove Primary School

30 June 2026.

A group of schools across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool is offering people the opportunity to become teachers.

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 which starts in September.

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

The programme has a 100% success rate of trainees acquiring teaching jobs at the end of the ten-month 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’ve had a good response to our 2026/27 programme, but we still have a few places available.

“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.”

Trainees will be based at every Ad Astra primary school. 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.

Kristen Connell, who is currently on the programme, said: “I’ve really enjoyed the programme and looking forward to seeing all the hard work pay off as I step into my new career.”

Fellow trainee Tom Coverdale added: “The support throughout the programme has been brilliant and the classroom experience is invaluable. With my new career on the horizon, I can’t wait to put everything I have learned into practice in my new classroom in September.”

Applicants need to have a degree for the ‘Train to Teach programme.

For further information or an informal chat, telephone 01429 874552 or email office@westpark.adastraschools.org

A Hartlepool primary school has landed a major national award for its commitment to the arts and culture.

West View Primary School is celebrating after receiving the prestigious Artsmark Gold Award which is accredited by Arts Council England.

In their feedback, Artsmark assessors said: “West View Primary School has made significant strides in embedding arts and culture as part of its core identity, creating a richer, more equitable curriculum for all pupils.

“You have a bespoke curriculum for Art and Music and have set up an Arts team which is building a shared understanding of what quality in the arts curriculum means for your school.”

They go on to praise the school for creating partnerships to enhance arts provision including street dance, drama projects and specialist music tuition.

Assessors continued: “Partnerships with arts organisations have combined with inclusive clubs like Glee and recorder to create a range of opportunities that are truly accessible, supported by the school’s commitment that no child pays for clubs and that trips are heavily subsidised.

“Congratulations on achieving Artsmark Gold. We look forward to hearing about the impact of your work as you move forward.”

Rachael Johnson, a class teacher and Art and Design Lead at West View Primary School, said: “We’ve been working towards the Artsmark Gold Award for the last couple of years and we are absolutely delighted to receive it

“The award demonstrates that the arts and culture is embedded throughout the school and is testament to the wide range of opportunities which we offer to our children.”

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 school curriculum, and this award shows that West View is excelling in many areas.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone at the school for their hard work in achieving this significant national award.”

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 on the link below to listen to Racheal Johnson’s reaction to gaining the Artsmark Gold Award.

Artsmark Video – Rachael Johnson

Children from primary schools across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool came together recently to host their very own poetry competition.

Pupils from Ad Astra Academy Trust schools met up at Hartlepool’s High Tunstall College of Science to put their poetry skills to the test before a panel of judges.

Three local poets – Bob Beagrie, Sara Dennis and Julie Easley – have been working with Year 5 (9/10-year-olds) pupils across the Trust to support them in planning, writing and performing their own poems, with the winning teams from each school competing against each other.

Pete Wiley, School Improvement Lead with Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Every term we hold a major collaborative event, where pupils from all ten of our schools come together.

“Previous events have included pupils making clay tiles, cooking dishes from around the world, a climate action conference and visiting the Port of Tees to look at industry in our local area, as well as our annual sports day. This term we chose poetry.

“One of our Trust priorities this year is oracy, so the event gave pupils the chance to use their voices for a different purpose by performing to an audience and panel of judges. We want to give our pupils the stage and the platform to express themselves, develop their confidence and hone their performance skills.

“All of the teams performed superbly and to an exceptional standard. Only one point separated the first four teams with a team from Hartlepool’s Barnard Grove Primary School just edging it.”

Poet Bob Beagrie said: “Poetry is very important because it enables children to express themselves using figurative language. Sharing that experience in team events like this is great for vocabulary, orality and helps them to grow emotionally. It has been a spectacular day – they’ve all shone like stars.”

The panel of judges included Chris Simmons MBE, former Chair of the Trust Board, Rachel Laycock from Bloomin Arts and Phil Swinburn who is a local writer, singer and actor.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “As a Trust, we have developed our ‘Ad Astra Approach to Oracy’, which underpins the work that all of our schools do, with the aim of ensuring that every child, leaves school with the confidence, fluency and ability to express themselves clearly, thoughtfully and with purpose. We describe oracy as the ‘golden thread’ that weaves through every moment of the school day.

“We are very grateful to High Tunstall for hosting the event as it supports pupils’ transition to secondary school, as they get to experience some of the school’s facilities.”

The winning team and runners-up were presented with medals. The poets also recited some of their own poems at the event to help inspire pupils.

There are ten schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust. 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.

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last ten years has grown to provide education for over 3,500 pupils and 600 employees.

A primary school in Hartlepool held a celebration recently to acknowledge the fantastic work undertaken by support staff.

West View, which is one of ten primary schools under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust, held a special assembly and made presentations to staff as part of  ‘Stars in our Schools’ – an annual UK-wide celebration, co-ordinated by UNISON – to recognise the invaluable contribution by the likes of teaching assistants, catering and admin staff, cleaners, lunchtime supervisors and site staff.

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Every year we choose different primary schools to mark UNISON’s ‘Stars in our Schools’ initiative and this year we selected West View and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees.

“Support staff make an invaluable contribution in all of our schools and events like this help to reinforce just how much they are appreciated.”

Speaking at West View Primary School’s special assembly, Headteacher Lauren Furness, said: “The work of our support staff is vital to ensure that our school runs smoothly every single day.

“We have people who clean the building, serve our school dinners, work in the office and support teachers. Today is about celebrating those people and acknowledging the great work that they do.”

Year 6 pupils read out poems to reflect how much they value support staff, whilst other pupils in assembly highlighted the importance of the various roles.

UNISON Northern regional head of local government Conor McArdle said: “UNISON is proud to be working with Ad Astra Academy Trust for UNISON’s annual Stars in our Schools celebration.

“The contribution school support staff make is essential to the success of every young person’s education.

“From cooks and cleaners to family support advisers, teaching assistants, administrative teams and school business professionals, their roles are incredibly varied.

“Together, they keep schools running smoothly and create the supportive environment that enables learning to thrive. Without them, schools simply couldn’t function.”

Support staff were presented with a box of chocolates and a UNISON goodie bag.