Bishop Auckland Town Council’s Youth Awards is designed to give recognition to outstanding young people in Bishop Auckland. This year, we are proud to announce that our students won five awards!

Award winners and their families were invited to attend a red-carpet event at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, with over 100 dignitaries and guests in attendance on the evening.

Nominated by Mrs Aitkin, our Deputy Headteacher, our Year 10 Mental Health & Wellbeing group received the ‘Biggest Impact Award’ in recognition of their pro-active approach to supporting initiatives that promote positive wellbeing across the whole school. Over the past couple of years, the group have planned and delivered a series of campaigns and events within school to reach out to the wider student population. These events have been extremely successful in supporting awareness and in turn promoting strategies to support positive mental health and wellbeing.

Bradley H, who was nominated by Mr Raitt, won the ‘Above and Beyond Award’. As well as representing King James as an excellent footballer over the last five years, Bradley has also represented the Bishop Auckland District and local grassroots teams including Escombe Youth FC and Newton Aycliffe Youth FC. Bradley’s attitude and desire to achieve in his football has always set him aside from his peers and he was rewarded for this in 2023 when he signed for Tow Law Town FC, a senior semi-professional football team who play in The Northern League Division 1. For Bradley to be involved at such a high level is a real testament to his hard work and dedication.

Now studying a Degree in Archeology and Anthropology at Oxford University, Hannah S received the ‘Wow Award’. She is the first female student from King James to successfully gain a place at this prestigious university since 1998. Very few students from the North East of England achieve a place at Oxford but Hannah worked tirelessly to break the mold and realise her ambitions at this world renowned institution; of this we are exceptionally proud. Hannah was nominated by Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Stead.

Year 12 student, Adam V, was nominated by Mrs Nicholson, our Head of Sixth Form for the hard work and initiative in the Kings Feast, our outdoor food hub. This has benefited the whole student body by providing them with an alternative outlet for refreshments. He is also known to frequently prepare afternoon tea for his peers in the Common Room. Adam received the ‘Inspirational Young Person Award’.

Young footballer, Layla V received the ‘Nic Cooper Award’ for her talent and achievement on the pitch. Layla, who has been playing football since she was just five years old dreams of becoming a Lioness and she is well on track following two outstanding seasons playing for Sunderland Women’s Under 14s and attendance at no less than five invite-only England Talent Camps. She was nominated by Mr Longstaff for her sporting talent and for her respectful and positive attitude as a student at King James. Congratulations to all of our award winners.