Ad Astra Academy Trust Welcomes Eleven New ‘Train to Teach’ Trainees
We’re delighted to celebrate the success of Ad Astra Academy Trust as it welcomes eleven new participants onto its highly successful Train to Teach programme!
These aspiring teachers will spend the next 12 months training in classrooms across the Trust’s ten primary schools, with the goal of qualifying as newly qualified teachers (NQTs) by next year. We’re already looking forward to welcoming these budding teachers into the Schools North East network.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, praised the programme, saying: “Ad Astra’s Train to Teach programme is a shining example of how trusts in our region are taking the lead on developing the next generation of teachers.
“With recruitment and retention an ongoing challenge, initiatives like this are vital to securing a strong, sustainable workforce for the North East’s schools.”
First-hand experience in the classroom
The Train to Teach programme offers an innovative alternative route into the profession. Participants are not required to have previous teaching experience and, uniquely, train on the job rather than through a traditional university route.
The programme boasts an outstanding 100% success rate, with every trainee securing a teaching post upon completion. Graduates leave with both a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Helen Durnion, School Improvement Lead for Ad Astra Academy Trust and course lead, expressed her pride in the initiative, stating: “We are very proud of the programme and delighted to welcome our latest trainees.
“Training on the job gives participants first-hand experience in the classroom, preparing them exceptionally well for life as a teacher.”
Dedicated training hub to boost learning and development
Throughout the programme, trainees gradually build their classroom experience — beginning with approximately 40 percent teaching in their first term and progressing to 80 percent by the end of the year. To support the growth of the initiative, Ad Astra has invested in a dedicated training hub at West Park Primary School in Hartlepool.
Louise Sheffield, Head Teacher at West Park, shared her enthusiasm for the new facility: “We’ve converted a former storeroom into a state-of-the-art training hub, providing an excellent resource for our trainees. Each participant has their own class but will also have the opportunity to gain experience across multiple schools in the Trust.”
This year’s cohort comes from a range of professional backgrounds, from human resources to children’s residential care, bringing valuable life experience into the classroom.
Trainee Caroline Hall commented: “This is a great opportunity to help shape young people’s minds. The classroom-based approach means we get to learn directly from experienced teachers.”
Applications for the 2026 Train to Teach programme open on 30 September 2025. For more information or to apply, visit adastraschools.org or email traintoteach@adastraacademytrust.com.
Ad Astra Academy Trust is a Schools North East Partner Trust. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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