Art, Photography and Media students in Year 10 have recently enjoyed a trip to Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) to investigate the wide range of creative degree courses on offer.

A group of ambitious Science and Psychology students, accompanied by Miss Newton, have recently visited a section of Newcastle University, which is attached to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), to attend a post-mortem examination. Here, Year 13 Applied Science student, Callum D talks about the trip.

Mr Shearer's Aim Higher residential visits take place throughout the year to a host of universities across the UK. The trips raise aspirations by giving students an opportunity to sample university life.

It has been a busy term for students in Religious Studies with educational visits, fundraising events and visits from various speakers.

Once again, our A-Level Maths students are celebrating great success in the prestigious UKMT Maths Challenges, which recognise the abilities of the top Maths students in the country.

Last term, we launched our own Academy Bank for students in conjunction with Darlington Building Society. The bank offers our students the opportunity to develop valuable life skills and watch their money grow through a number of incentive-based savings initiatives.

Fifteen Martin Gray Football Acadaemy students, accompanied by Mr Laybourn, have recently returned from a trip to the 'Match for Children' in aid of UNICEF fundraising event at Old Trafford, which was organised by David Beckham.

In a moving tribute to the many servicemen and women who lost their lives in conflict, student members of the ongoing World War I history project at King James stood alongside 95 year old WWII veteran, Mr George Iceton, The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Lee Brownson and other special guests at our new war memorial.

Year 9 student, Chloe C is the first winner in our year-long "Accelerated Reading' competition. The initiative, which is run by Miss Wharton in our English department in conjunction with Mr Wheatley in our busy school library, offers book lovers the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw each half term to win a "Kindle Fire.

The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Lee Brownson demonstrated excellent babysitting skills during a recent visit to our Health and Social Care Department.