Middlesbrough-born headteacher taking over reins at one of Hartlepool's biggest primary schools

A Teesside-born headteacher is gearing up to take over the reins at one of Hartlepool's biggest primary schools.

Louise Sheffield, who has been deputy headteacher at Crook Primary School in County Durham for the last seven years, will take up her new role at West Park Primary School at the beginning of January. Born in Middlesbrough, Louise has worked in education across the North-East after qualifying as a teacher over 20 years ago.

She also spent seven years training teachers for High Force Education. West Park Primary School, in Coniscliffe Road, was inspected by Ofsted in April of this year and was judged to be a “good” school.

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"West Park is a primary school with huge potential, and I am really looking forward to leading the school on its journey from 'good' to 'outstanding' and beyond," Louise said. "I've already met many of the parents/carers at recent parents' evenings and I am really looking forward to working with them and embracing the whole school community to ensure that all West Park children get off to the best possible start in life."

West Park, which is home to 347 pupils between the age of three and 11, is one of ten primary schools across Hartlepool, Teesside and County Durham under the umbrella of Ad Astra Academy Trust. Andy Brown CEO of the trust, said: "The trustees and I are looking forward to Louise taking up her new role at West Park. She joins the trust with tremendous credibility from her previous post in Durham and we look forward to working with her in the future."

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.

Any parents/carers interested in reception class places for their children at West Park Primary from September 2025 should contact the school on 01429 282090.

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