New era for Stockton school as it joins education trust and gains new head

The new head teacher of a Stockton academy has vowed to “celebrate students’ individuality” while building on the strengths of the school.

Our Lady and St Bede Catholic Academy, on Bishopton Road West in Stockton, has just joined the Carmel Education Trust, which is hailed nationally for teaching and learning.

And as it embarks on a new journey with the education trust, newly appointed head of school Chris Hammill says holistic education will be the hallmark of the academy’s future.

Mr Hammill says the academy will build on the strengths of the school – its warm and welcoming nature, which is very much part of the community – but will also move forward with a pursuit of excellence.

He said: “Our vision is for a holistic approach to education. It is about developing the students in all ways – spiritually, academically, morally, culturally and socially.

“It is about celebrating students’ individuality and paying particular care to those students most in need.”

Thornaby-born and bred Mr Hammill attended St Patrick’s primary and secondary schools and St Mary’s College, Middlesbrough, before reading theology and training to be a teacher at Leeds University.

His first post was at St Thomas More School in North Shields, where he became head of RE, before being appointed as assistant headteacher at St Bede’s Lanchester and then deputy head at St Mary’s, Newcastle.

Married to Catherine, who is head of English at a Washington school, he has two children, Beth, seven and Beatrice, two.

Our Lady and St Bede has a roll of 700 students, 80 teachers and 50 support staff.

Mr Hammill added: “I believe we are at a very significant point in the history of Our Lady and St Bede. There is a very positive feel about the direction we are moving in which is reflected in the 30 per cent rise in Year 6-7 applications for September, a sign of the trust parents are putting into the school.”

Carmel Education Trust comprises Carmel College, Darlington, St Michael’s Academy, Billingham, St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, and St Bede’s Primary School, both in Stockton, and Holy Family RC Primary School and St Augustine’s RC Primary School, Darlington, and is a strategic partner within the Teaching School Alliance operating the Carmel Teacher Training Programme.

Trust chief executive Maura Regan said: “Joining our family of schools is an exciting development for us all and students, parents and staff can look forward to a bright, rewarding and successful future.”