Discover more about King James I Academy including Ofsted inspection reports, Bus Timetables, Uniform requirements and details surrounding the School Day.
Learn MoreInformation for our students, including bus times, uniform, timetable information and Student Support.
Learn MoreLearn about our academy's safeguarding team, make a referral or read our key policies.
Learn MoreInformation for parents of students attending or thinking about attending our school.
Learn MoreContact Details such as Address, Telephone Numbers, Email Addresses and Points of Contact within the Academy.
Learn MoreThis year we can return to our full transition programme to ensure a smooth start to Year 7.
Learn MoreWelcome to King James I Academy and thank you for taking the time to visit our website where you will find out about the exciting things that are happening within the Academy
Throughout 2023 we have continued to build upon our many successes and we will continue to do the same in 2024 as we look forward to another exciting and inspiring year filled with opportunities to learn and grow. We are over-subscribed for the sixth year running and will be again in September 2024, meaning that we can provide the King James experience to as many young people as possible from the local area.
At King James, we pride ourselves on the quality and breadth of the curriculum we offer and we employ specialist teaching staff to ensure that all of our children are well cared for, supported, and academically challenged. We are keen to work in close partnership with our parents and we work hard to ensure that our students enjoy and succeed in all aspects of their education.
We are an inclusive school, and recognise the increased pressures for young people in modern society; in order to support students, we employ a large number of highly skilled support staff who are available to help all of our students to prosper and overcome barriers. From our Student Support Workers who provide day to day support to students to our Learning Support team we are a caring school. We also employ a School Counsellor, and a dedicated Attendance Officer as well as having access to external support staff who help students to be prepared and able to learn.
Our International School Award reflects our belief in learning beyond the classroom and our Vision Magazine celebrates the variety we offer and the many achievements of our students. We were delighted to be able to re-launch international visits following the pandemic, and have more planned for the future.
King James I Community works closely in partnership with our local primary schools and the local community to provide a venue for a large range of out of hours, community-led educational and leisure activities including supporting Roots (a local performing arts group), hosting Bishop Auckland Juniors Football Club, Bishop Ladies, Bishop Auckland Reserves, and the Bishop Auckland District Football Teams, as well as working in partnership with Shildon AFC.
Our children take part in a range of academic, sporting, and other activities beyond the school day and there is a seamless connection between the school and community activities which take place on the Academy site. Students benefit from an Enrichment period at the end of every day, other than Friday, that provides them with the opportunity to develop new interests and to extend their learning.
King James offers a wealth of opportunities, which help our students to thrive and achieve excellent outcomes and which help us to provide "learning to inspire". Ultimately, we aim to develop our students into confident, responsible young people with the skills that enable them to thrive in modern society.
Should you require a copy of Vision or any further information then please access information via the website or contact the Main Reception on 01388 603388, or if you are interested in visiting King James then please do not hesitate to make personal contact with me.
Best wishes.
Simon Whitehead
Headteacher
Each year, during the final week of term at King James, we treat students to Activity Day, where Heads of Year organise a variety of fun activities for students in their year group.
Media students in Years 10 and 12 have visited Beamish Museum to study how sets, props, costume, hair and make-up are combined to reflect a specific time period; in the media industry this is called mise-en-scene.
As part of our busy programme of events for the last week of term, our PE Department organised four Sports Day events, one for each year group from 7-10.
Working with Mrs Donnison, students in Year 9 have been able to get involved in the Topical Talk Festival in partnership with Eton College and The Economist. ‘Topical Talk’ is a programme from The Economist Educational Foundation, which supports weekly discussions about the news.
Four students in Year 9 have achieved the Industrial Cadets Teamwork Award 2024 as part of our extra-curricular STE(A)M activities programme. The programme is an initiative from the nationwide educational charity, EDT.
Year 9 and 10 students in our Food & Nutrition Department have enjoyed a full-day educational visit to The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate. The focus of the trip was food provenance and sustainability.
Each year, students in Years 10 and 12 take part in Work Experience Week, with placements in a wide variety of sectors.
As part of their Geography lessons, students take part in a variety of practical field trips to study topics directly relating to their classroom learning. This boosts their understanding by giving real life context to their learning.