It's Been an Amazing Journey!

June 2017

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Twin sisters, Emelia, left and Niamh, right, have travelled to many destinations since joining King James in Year 7.

What better way to demonstrate the opportunities we provide for our students than to offer a case study or two? Here, Year 13 sisters Niamh and Emelia talk about their time at King James.

The twin sisters joined King James in Year 7 with very different personalities. "I was very quiet and shy", said Emelia, "but Niamh was outgoing and ready to conquer the world! King James has given us both the opportunities that we needed to flourish and grow - chances to build confidence for me, and plenty of challenge for Niamh."

In Year 11, Emelia celebrated being the highest achieving student on results day with no less than 15 GCSEs at grades A*- A! She is now eagerly awaiting her A-Level results and preparing to leave for Nottingham Trent University where she will be studying a Degree in International Media and Communications. "As part of the course I will be learning Mandarin and studying in China for a year. I would never have thought that I would have the confidence to live abroad, especially so far away, but thanks to King James I now have complete faith in my ability to succeed."

Sister Niamh said, "In the last seven years, we have travelled all over the UK and the world; this has really fuelled my ambitions to live and work abroad. There have been so many opportunities to gain life experience as well as good grades, and we have both really appreciated this."

"Teachers at King James really think outside of the box to make lessons interesting and exciting", Niamh continued. "I have been given opportunities to lead, perform, compete, teach, travel, fundraise and work, alongside my timetabled lessons. I don't believe I would have been able to enjoy so many different experiences at any other school."

"Working as part of the Jamaica Difference project and the Brazilliant project has been the highlight of my time here. I would definitely describe myself as a free spirit and the cultural experiences I have had through these projects has reinforced my belief that we should all embrace every opportunity and challenge in life."

Niamh will be working at King James for three months starting in September before heading off to live and work with young people in Brazil.

Looking back...

"As part of our studies at King James we have enjoyed international experiences in Jamaica, Brazil, Disneyland Paris and Ireland, some of these more than once! We have also taken our learning to Beamish, Redcar, Hexham and the Lake District; and have taken part in Outward Bound activities at Howtown."

"Thanks to the 'Aim Higher' programme we have explored Universities and experienced city life in London, Edinburgh, York, Leeds, Liverpool, Durham, Northumbria and Teesside. Plus, we also attended two brilliant events at Planet Leisure and Bowburn Hall."