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