This academic year we have launched an exciting new partnership between King James I Academy and Shildon AFC. The partnership will allow footballers of all standards to progress their skills whilst studying an academic qualification.

Our annual Academy Sports Day was an outstanding demonstration of determination and sportsmanship as young athletes in all year groups competed in a variety of track events from sprints to relays.

Our annual Academy Sports Day took place on the last day of term and our young athletes competed with great determination and sportsmanship in a number of track events from 100m sprints to relay races.

This month, eight of our Year 10 girls travelled to London to take part in our Girls Active Wimbledon trip. The two-day trip is organised each year by our PE Department to promote female participation in sport and to reward students who show dedication in their lessons.

A group of 32 students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have recently returned from a football-inspired trip to Holland. Organised by our PE Department, the trip was designed to inspire a passion for sport, health and fitness, whilst giving students the opportunity to experience Dutch culture.

A 10-man King James Year 7 and 8 squad were recently lucky enough to take part in the first ever Angry Birds Egg Cup Football Tournament at Goodison Park, the home of Everton FC.

The King James Elite Football Academy Team is celebrating victory in the North East Colleges Development League Cup Final.

Each year, over 800 school children across the country take part in the Panathlon "mini Paralympic' multi-sport challenge. Here at King James we are always keen to take part.

A total of 33 students in Years 7-10 have just returned from an exhilarating five-day Outward Bound experience to Watermillock in Cumbria. This year, due to the popularity of the trip and the increased demand for places, we took more students than ever.

A group of eight Year 11 students have visited Durham Climbing Centre this month as part of their GCSE PE qualification.