In 2005, Brambles and Pennyman Academies, after five years of collaboration, established the Tees Valley Education multi-academy trust. That same year, Dormanstown joined as a sponsor, followed by Wilton in 2018. Additionally, Discovery Special Academy, the first free school in Middlesbrough, opened its doors to its inaugural group of children in 2018.
Discovery Special Academy moved into a new, purpose-designed building in August 2022, with children starting in September 2022. The school has since expanded to accommodate 128 children, serving Nursery, primary, and, as of September 2022, secondary age children. Discovery Special Academy aims to reach its full capacity by the 2027-28 academic year.
The Trust continues to grow and expand both in terms of the quality and range of educational provision, as well as the number of academies and children and young people, it serves.
Our mission is to deliver educational excellence for all of our children by fostering a culture of creativity, curiosity, care, courage and commitment.
To transform children’s life chances.
Guided by the Aristotle motto of “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit”. The Trusts Diamond Standards are the values which underpin everything.
To be dedicated, hard working and always try our best.
To be adventurous, bold and brave.
To be inquisitive, excited and explore.
To be kind to ourselves, each other and our communities.
To use our talents to imagine, innovate and inspire.
They were developed by the children, staff, Trustees, Members and communities across the Trust and they celebrate individuals, groups and organisations demonstrating and living these values. Celebrated termly in each academy, with an annual awards ceremony designed to champion all of the diamonds collectively – our values are demonstrated, lived and seen regularly. They also recognise that with the right environment, time and support everyone can be brilliant!
Tees Valley Education is comprised mainly of primary academies sited in some of the most significantly deprived areas in Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland.
Inclusion, pastoral support and equity of life chances are therefore some of the biggest areas of practice and strength across the Trust. Within this area, there is also a significant strength in serving a range of children and young people with SEND and additional physical, medical, language and learning needs. More can be seen on the Trust Specialisms page.