NEW teachers celebrated after receiving their Qualified Teaching Status at a ceremony at Carmel College, Darlington.

Almost 120 trainees from across the region descended on the college to celebrate their achievement and they will now go on to help shape and develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of students across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

The trainees spent the academic year studying with Carmel Teacher Training Partnership (CTTP) and in schools across the north, helping to meet a growing need for expertise in education.

CTTP draws primary and secondary school graduates from across the region including Darlington, Stockton, Barnard Castle, Richmond and across the Tees Valley.

Teachers were joined at the celebration by family to mark completing the course and joining the teaching profession.

CTTP director and principal of Carmel College Mike Shorten welcomed guest speaker John Hardy, the chair of Schools North East and the regional representative on the National Teaching School Council.

Also headteacher of St John Vianney School, Hartlepool, Mr Hardy had high praise for parents and families for supporting the teachers through the training.

He said: “You will continue to learn as teaching is a career that never stands still.

"You will now have the rest of your careers to master and refine your skills and continue to develop as outstanding practitioners.”

CTTP has been training teachers for the past 16 years and is one of the largest and most successful providers in the region. Last year 100 per cent of its trainees secured jobs.

Mr Shorten said: “It was a privilege to work with such an enthusiastic, eager and passionate cohort of graduates who now have the solid foundations upon which to build rewarding futures in teaching.”