TWO classroom assistants have praised the value of apprenticeships after securing jobs at their former primary school.

Mark Bailey and Jordan Jackson-Bailey, both 22, are back at Chaloner Primary School in Guisborough, east Cleveland, after impressing bosses from their time as the school's first ever apprentices.

The pair were taken on by headteacher Angela Hull after completing the first year of a level two apprenticeship in supporting teaching and learning at Redcar and Cleveland College.

The duo, who are former pupils of Laurence Jackson School, also in Guisborough, are now teaching assistants and will continue studying at the college from September.

Mark, from Guisborough, said he wants to become a teacher.

He said: “I have always wanted to be a teacher, but university wasn’t really for me, so the apprenticeship was an excellent opportunity to start my career in a classroom.

“It’s wonderful working in the school where I went as a child.

“I have great memories of coming here and hope I can help create some more for our pupils.”

Jordan, also from Guisborough, was an out of work trained gardener before finding a passion for helping children after volunteering at his old school.

He added: “I love coming to work every day and like working with the little ones in foundation stage.

“Knowing you are a role model is really rewarding.”

Lisa Bone, an assessor at Redcar and Cleveland College, said Mark and Jordan were reaping the rewards of their hard work.

She added: “It’s lovely to see a school hiring apprentices and we would really like to see more schools taking up the opportunity.”