Learning to Inspire
Learning to Succeed
Learning to Develop
Learning to Excel
Learning to Respect
Learning to Appreciate
Learning to Share
Learning to Challenge
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 MoreThis year in response to feedback from our teachers and students we will be trialling a homework timetable.
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 the 2023/24 academic year we continued to build upon our many successes and we will continue to do the same in 2024/25 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 hope to be again in September 2025, 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 safe, 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 a fully inclusive school, and recognise the increased pressures for young people in the world today; 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, develop reslience, 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 with trips to Malta and the Netherlands last year, and have more planned for the future, including Majorca, as well as funded trips to France and back to Malta.
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 and Shildon Youth teams.
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
12 year old Keanna C, a student at King James I Academy in Bishop Auckland, has returned from Italy with a gold medal and a world title following her victory at the Muay Thai World Championships.
30 students in Year 9 have returned from a five-day trip to Normandy in France with Academy Librarian, Mr Wheatley, our Director of Learning for Languages, Miss Stephenson and History Teacher, Miss Broadbent. The trip combined opportunities for students to develop their language skills with learning about French culture and World War II history.
King James I Community has one main aim this upcoming season - to empower the clubs, groups and businesses that they work with.
The growth of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has opened up exciting new opportunities for young learners. Used wisely, AI can be a powerful ally in boosting creativity, learning and problem-solving skills. However, without proper guidance, young people may stumble into challenges including inaccurate information, data security risks, and a growing reliance on AI over their own critical thinking.
This year, students in Years 9, 10 and 12 have earned one of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Bronze or Silver Awards following completion of tasks in four main sections of the programme: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition.
In June, at the end of the GCSE exam season, we celebrated the hard work of our students with the annual Year 11 Leavers’ event.
Eight students in Years 7-9, who are all members of our lunchtime Carnegie Book Club, have travelled by train to London with our Librarian, Mr Wheatley to attend the Carnegie Book Awards ceremony at the Cambridge Theatre. Throughout the academic year, students read and discuss the nominated books, before submitting a vote for their favourite.
We understand that the transition from primary to secondary school can be worrying for some youngsters, and for that reason we have an extensive programme of activities that are specifically designed to ensure pupils are confident and looking forward to joining us at King James from day one.