It was a double celebration for 29 people in St Albans last week as not only did they graduate as teachers, but each one has already secured a job.

Alban Federation, the largest single teacher training organisation in this county after the University of Herts, held a graduation ceremony at the Sandpit Theatre, Sandringham School, last Wednesday (24).

The federation is an accredited initial teacher training provider which has been training teachers for a decade, and comprises 10 schools within St Albans and Harpenden.

Alan Gray, head teacher at the organisation’s lead school, Sandringham, explained that the 29 had chosen to either change career and go into teaching, or train upon completion of their degrees through Alban Federation.

Members of the group successfully completed their year’s training and have gained qualified teacher status.

Alan said: “All 29 have secured teaching jobs - the majority in the schools they trained in - and will be making a significant contribution to improving the education of young people in the area.

“As chair of the federation I had the pleasure of awarding each graduate with their qualified teacher status which was celebrated in the presence of their families and staff from training schools.”

For this September, a total of 40 people will be starting their training through the federation, which is already starting to recruit for its September 2016 intake.