BUSINESS BITES
Groundbreaking ceremony for new secondary school
NEWS
BUSINESS BITES
£ 2.1M HOMES REFURB Esh Construction has started work on a £ 2.1m refurbishment programme at Throston Grange in Hartlepool, marking the latest milestone in its partnership with Thirteen Group.
The project – awarded through Thirteen’ s Capital Investment Framework – will see improvements delivered in 297 properties, with work including kitchen replacements, partial electrical upgrades, electric fire removals and associated remedial works.
COLLEGE’ S‘ 100 CLUB’ Hartlepool College of Further Education has honoured a select group of longstanding partners by launching its exclusive‘ 100 Club’.
The initiative formally recognises organisations that have supported at least 100 apprentices through the college since moving into its £ 53m campus in 2011, highlighting a long-term commitment to develop local talent.
Hartlepool Council, Darchem, Caterpillar, NHS University Hospitals Tees, NEC, Wilton Engineering, Gestamp and Unipres are among the inaugural members of the club.
UKSE SUPPORTS POW Pupils from two primary schools in Teesside have said a big‘ thank you’ to business-support organisation UKSE for a £ 2,500 grant that ensures they can continue to take part in a valuable programme.
The funding, from UKSE’ s Community Support Fund, will see pupils at St Bega’ s Catholic Primary School in Hartlepool and St Gabriel’ s Catholic Primary School in Ormesby benefit from the Power of Women( PoW) Primary School Programme, which currently runs in 24 schools and aims to raise aspirations, break gender stereotypes and build confidence.
CHARITY BALL SUCCESS The Teesside Charity celebrated its Annual Ball this year at Hardwick Hall Hotel’ s Grand Marquee, with around 700 generous supporters helping to raise a staggering £ 76,700 for worthy causes.
Held in association with headline sponsors Ward Hadaway, guests enjoyed a range of entertainment, featuring casino games, Scalextric, air hockey and a 360-degree camera experience.
The night also featured a surprise performance from Back Chat Brass and from magician Paul Lytton, as well as live music from local band Storm, with a silent disco that kept the fun going.
Winners – Teesside was named University of the Year 2025 at the Times Higher Education( THE) Awards.
Teesside wins prestigious Times
University of the Year award
Teesside University has been named University of the Year 2025 at the prestigious Times Higher Education( THE) Awards, in recognition of its achievements and transformative impact across the UK’ s higher education landscape.
The University of the Year is the latest in a series of major achievements that have reinforced the university’ s reputation as one of the UK’ s most successful and ambitious modern universities, which was exemplified by the recent award by the Daily Mail as the Modern University of the Year 2026.
Judges at the awards praised Teesside University as“ unashamedly ambitious for its students”, and for“ delivering in spades” on its“ clear sense of mission”.
They also highlighted the key role Teesside University plays within the regional economy,“ retaining a laser focus on local skills needs”, and the extensive campus
Groundbreaking ceremony for new secondary school
Work is now well underway on the new, permanent Outwood Academy Riverside school building, with the steel structure emerging from the ground in recent days.
An official groundbreaking ceremony marked a significant step forward in providing a top-quality educational environment for students and staff who have long awaited a permanent site.
The ceremony was held at the site in Middlehaven, close to the Transporter Bridge, symbolising a new chapter for the school and the community it serves.
The event followed years of dedicated work and collaboration between Outwood Grange Academies Trust( OGAT), the Department for Education( DfE) and Middlesbrough Council to bring this project to fruition.
Andy McDonald MP, Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke, deputy mayor Philippa
redevelopment and impressive teaching facilities.
Professor Paul Croney OBE, vicechancellor and chief executive of Teesside University, said:“ Receiving the accolade of University of the Year is a tremendous honour and a fitting culmination of our recent successes.
“ This recognition confirms that Teesside University is rightly regarded as one of the country’ s leading higher education institutions and it is a powerful endorsement of our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, alongside our outstanding research and knowledge exchange.”
In addition to being named University of the Year, Teesside was also a finalist in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category, further highlighting its role as a vital anchor institution for the region.
Ceremony – construction has started on the new Outwood Academy Riverside school in Middlesbrough.
Storey and Cllr Zafar Unddin were in attendance alongside OGAT CEO Lee Wilson and the school’ s principal, Melissa Brant-Smith.
The new building will provide outstanding facilities in line with the school’ s ambitious curriculum.
158 | Tees Business