Kyle Higgins (23), who has just completed Ad Astra Academy Trust’s Train to Teach programme, will take charge of a Year 6 (10/11-year-olds) class at Brougham Primary School in September.
Under the scheme, participants train on the job rather than go to university, and no previous teaching experience is required.
Kyle, who has a law degree and has experience working in the residential care sector, is really looking forward to a career in teaching.
He said: “I’ve always fancied being a teacher, and when I was made aware of the Train to Teach programme, I jumped at the opportunity. It is a really good scheme. A large proportion of the training is classroom-based, and you have the opportunity to apply what you have learnt in a classroom environment.”
Kyle added: “To have the opportunity to teach at my former school is very special to me as I have great childhood memories of attending Brougham from the age of three. The staff are amazing, the pupils are brilliant, and it is one big family with everyone supporting one another.”
Headteacher Sarah Greenan, who taught Kyle when she was a class teacher, said: “We are delighted to celebrate Kyle’s success, having flourished and now beginning his teaching career back where it all started.”
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 Train to Teach lead, said: “Kyle is a classic example of our approach to growing our own staff across the Trust. Kyle joined the scheme last September and, 10 months later, after benefitting from our in-house training and support, he has secured his first teaching job.”
There are still vacancies for the 2026/27 programme, which starts in September. For more information or an informal chat, telephone 01429 874552 or email [email protected]
