A Hartlepool’s primary school has completed its leadership team with the appointment of a new deputy headteacher.
Sam Marino, who has been Head of School at Crakehall Primary School in North Yorkshire for the last six years will take up her new role at West Park Primary School at the beginning of January.
The announcement follows hard on the heels of the appointment of new headteacher Louise Sheffield who also starts in January 2025.
West Park Primary School in Coniscliffe Road was inspected by Ofsted in April of this year and was judged to be a “good” school.
Mrs Marino said: “When I first came to have a look round West Park I was really impressed with the children; how kind they were and how well they played together. I was also really impressed by the staff and members of the local community that I met.
“I am really looking forward to being part of such a wonderful school and the fantastic, supportive community and working closely with Louise Sheffield and being part of the Ad Astra team.”
West Park is one of ten primary schools across Hartlepool, Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust.
School and Trust leaders are also looking forward to forging much closer links with its neighbouring secondary school – High Tunstall College of Science.
Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Officer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, commented: “With the new leadership team in place, I am really excited about the future of West Park.
“We work well with High Tunstall but moving forward I welcome the opportunity to forge closer links. I’m in envy of their fantastic facilities and I can’t wait for West Park pupils to take advantage of them.”
Headteacher Louise Sheffield said: “2025 will mark the start of a new chapter for West Park with the new leadership team in place.
“Over the last couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to talk and listen to lots of people from the school community. West Park is a school with huge potential and I am really excited about the future.”
Mark Tilling, Headteacher of High Tunstall College of Science and an Ad Astra trustee, commented: “I am really looking forward to working with the new leadership team at West Park, particularly developing the links between key stage 2 and key stage 3 students.
“It is an opportunity for us to assist in curriculum development with the facilities that we have and to ensure that moving forward the curriculum between West Park and High Tunstall is seamless.”
The other primary schools within Ad Astra are Barnard Grove, Brougham and West View in Hartlepool, Crooksbarn and Rosebrook in Stockton-on-Tees, Ayresome and Sunnyside in Middlesbrough and Deaf Hill and Kelloe in Durham.
Ad Astra Academy Trust was formed in 2015 and over the last nine years has grown across the Tees Valley, providing education for over 3,500 pupils and over 500 employees.
West Park is home to 347 pupils between the age of three and 11.
Any parents/carers interested in reception class places for their children from September 2025 should contact the school on 01429 282090.