West View Primary School awarded prestigious Champion status for excellence in reading education
West View Primary School in Hartlepool has achieved an outstanding milestone by earning Champion Status for its exceptional approach to teaching young children how to read.
This prestigious recognition comes from Little Wandle, a government-backed national programme that supports over 5,000 schools in delivering high-quality phonics and reading education.
The accolade places West View Primary School among an elite group, making it only the second school in the North East to receive this distinguished status. To earn the title, schools must meet 16 Standards of Excellence in the teaching of reading and phonics—a testament to West View’s dedication to fostering strong literacy skills in its students.
Sharing success and best practices
Achieving Champion Status is not just an honour but also an opportunity for West View to support and inspire other schools, which can only make our region stronger!
As a leading institution in reading education, West View will now share its exemplary teaching methods with visiting schools, offering insight into the successful implementation of the Little Wandle programme.
Head Teacher Lauren Furness expressed immense pride in the school’s accomplishment, stating: ““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.”
A trust-wide achievement
West View Primary School is part of the Ad Astra Academy Trust, which oversees ten primary schools across Teesside, County Durham, and Hartlepool. The recognition not only highlights West View’s commitment but also showcases the wider trust’s dedication to excellence in education.
Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, praised the school’s achievement: “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.”
Inspiring the future of literacy
West View’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, innovative teaching, and a passion for literacy. As the school takes on its new role as a Champion School, it will continue to shape the future of reading education, not just within its own classrooms but across the wider educational community.
The Ad Astra Academy Trust includes other schools such as 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—all working collectively to deliver exceptional educational experiences.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “Congratulations to Ad Astra Academy Trust! With this milestone, West View Primary School cements its reputation as a beacon of excellence in reading education, ensuring that young learners develop the fundamental skills they need for a bright academic future.”
West View Primary School is a Schools North East Partner School . If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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