Page 15 - Ad Astra Trust Newsletter 2025

TO THE STARS, TOGETHER

AN INCLUSIVE LEARNING FESTIVAL

On Monday 30th June, 2025, over 420 teachers, educationalists and school staff came together for the
annual Ad Astra ‘Festival of Education’ conference at Digital Life, Teesside University in Middlesbrough.
This year, the focus was on inclusion and the conference aimed to provide the staff of Ad Astra with the tools, strate-
gies, and insights needed to foster inclusive classrooms that support the diverse needs of all students.
By exploring best practices in inclusive education, the event helped equip teachers with practical resources and in-
novative approaches to ensure every child, regardless of background or ability, can thrive in an equitable
learning environment.
The event was opened by pupils from West Park Primary School’s choir and the Trust Pupil Leadership Team who
talked about what inclusion means to them.
Speaking at the conference, Andy Brown OBE, Chief Executive Offi cer of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Our conference
this year is entitled ‘To the Stars Together - An Inclusive Learning Festival’; Inclusion is central to every decision
I make as CEO.
“What a brilliant year we have had. As CEO I have never been so proud of Ad Astra, we are nearly 10 years old and
have 100% of schools judged by Ofsted to be good.”
Mr Brown went on to cite several examples across the trust’s schools where excellence has been achieved over the
last year, with pupils been at the heart of decision making.
During the day-long event there were keynote speakers and several workshops covering a range of education issues
ranging from recognising Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and supporting pupils with anxiety to strategies that
benefi t all pupils in the classroom.
The trust also unveiled a Teachers’ Forum during the conference made up of teachers representing a mix of career
stages, experiences and perspectives.
Andy Brown commented: “The purpose of the Teachers’ Forum is to inform, challenge, and shape the direction of our
trust. This initiative is about amplifying the voices of those at the heart of the classroom and creating a vital bridge
between our frontline and trust leadership.”
Recognition was also given at the event to Chris Simmons, the former chair of Ad Astra Academy Trust after he re-
cently received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Andy Brown said: “How wonderful it was it to see our previous chair, Chris Simmons receive an MBE. He was very
instrumental in setting Ad Astra up and it’s so well deserved.”
Speaking at the close of the conference, Richenda Broad, chair of Ad Astra Academy Trust, said: “Thank you all so
much for curating and organising such an enjoyable day – it really is appreciated.
“The day encapsulated the best in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) It was engaging, thought provoking,
inspirational and motivational, and did all these things almost by stealth because it was all so enjoyable.”

Copyright: Lauren Close photography

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