Please click here to our annual trust newsletter!

A Middlesbrough school is set to wave goodbye to a class teacher after 33 years in the job.

Vanessa Allison started work at Ayresome Primary School in 1993 and will call time on her education career later this month (17 July) taking early retirement.

Mrs Allison has taught predominately Key Stage 2 pupils (age 7-11) throughout her career, and she said that she has seen many changes over the years.

“Ayresome was the first job I applied for after university and luckily, I was successful.

“In those days there were two schools – Infant and Junior – but that changed in 2002 with the amalgamation into a single school.

“Ayresome is a wonderful school with a very strong, supportive community and I’m going to miss it.

“There’s lots of aspects to teaching but being in the classroom is most important to me and making a difference to the young people in my care.

“Most of my adult life has been spent at Ayresome and I’ve grown with the school.

“Being at Ayresome for so long has also helped me develop great links and friendships because in many cases I’ve taught two generations of families,” she said.

The married Mum of two boys has also held a variety of roles at the school over the decades including being lead for Mathematics and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

Early in her career, she was leading Maths teacher for the local authority. Vanessa also worked with Durham University Education department as a training centre coordinator for aspiring new teachers.

She added: “I am looking forward to retirement, particularly being able to go on holiday during term time.

“My eldest son lives in America so I’m looking forward to visiting him more and he is getting married next year.

“I am also looking forward to following the Boro to many more away games, as I have been a season ticket holder for many years.”

Charlotte Haylock, Headteacher of Ayresome Primary School was full of praise for Mrs Allison and said she will be a big loss.

She added: “Vanessa will not just be a big loss to the teaching profession; she has vast knowledge of the Ayresome community, and we are going to miss that too.

“She’s the ‘go to’ person in the school who galvanises the staff and is a steadying influence on others. The school will miss her as will the children and families.”

Ayresome 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, said: “To serve a single school for 33 years is a significant achievement and a demonstration of loyalty.

“I’d like to thank Vanessa for everything she has done at Ayresome, and I wish her a long and happy retirement.”

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.

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 Teesside primary school has received the highest accolade possible for the quality of its play provision.

Ayresome Primary School, in the centre of Middlesbrough, is celebrating after recently receiving the Platinum Award from OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), putting the school in the top 1% in the country.

OPAL is a national body that issues accreditations to primary schools for their quality, richness and development of play facilities.

OPAL mentor Lizzie Pringle said in her feedback to the school: “It was a delight to return to Ayresome and once again see the quality of your playtimes to be truly exceptional.

“Your site provides children with a rich variety of play opportunities from den building to mud kitchens, varied movements and journeys, swings and hanging upside down to accessing your brand-new garden space.

“Every child at Ayresome has the freedom to play and become whoever they choose to be on a daily basis, and that in itself is invaluable.”

The school will receive a plaque and a certificate plaque from OPAL in recognition of what they describe as “an incredible achievement”.

Gavin Brownless, Assistant Headteacher and Play Curricular Lead at Ayresome, commented: “It has been a real team effort across the school in developing our play facilities over the last 18 months and we are all thrilled to receive the Platinum Award.

“Our pupils enter class more settled, more focused and genuinely ready to learn. Play has become a powerful driver for inclusion, which is at the heart of everything we do at Ayresome.

“The wide range of lunchtime play facilities has helped to actively engage our children and has improved behaviour. They are developing resilience, creativity, and social skills, catered for by ever-developing areas that are brought to life by our play team.

“Most importantly, there is a visible sense of joy across the school; happier children who feel valued and connected. For us, play is no longer an ‘extra’, it is fundamental to both wellbeing and academic success.”

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

Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone involved at Ayresome on this significant achievement.

“The development of play provision at Ayresome is a real success story. The dedication of staff has been exceptional and their commitment to making play a central part of school life is having a clear and lasting impact. Children are happier, more confident, and better prepared for learning because of it.”

A group of schools across Teesside, County Durham and Hartlepool are holding a special event to help people find out about career opportunities.

Ad Astra Academy Trust, which has ten primary schools under its umbrella, is one of the area’s biggest employers with around 500 members of staff.

The Career Open Evening takes place at Rosebrook Primary School in Stockton-on-Tees on Tuesday 3 February between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

Martyn Ingram, Human Resources Manager with Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “We have ten primary schools and a central team across the Trust so recruit regularly for a range of teaching and support staff posts.

“The event is an opportunity for people to come along to find out a bit more about the Trust and chat to existing members of staff.”

Andy Brown, OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra, who will be present at the event, said: “Anyone is welcome to attend the event whether it is someone who is in the last year of their teaching degree, someone undertaking a teaching assistant qualification or someone who is looking to progress their career.

“It will be a very informal event and a chance to find out more about how the Trust operates and its plans for the future.”

Michael Roberts, who joined Rosebrook Primary School last 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, who started at Brougham Primary School last September as a Year 2 teacher, said: “I love the culture within the school; there is great support from staff, and everyone has been very welcoming.”

Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last eleven years has grown and now provides education for over 3,500 pupils.

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.

Anyone wishing to attend the event should register in advance by visiting www.adastraschools.org/join-us

Picture Caption – Andy Brown OBE (centre left) is pictured with some of Ad Astra Academy Trust’s recent recruits.

Issued 21 January 2026

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 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).