We are an Academy full of enthusiastic fundraisers and most recently, Mr Graham, our Lead Practitioner for English organised a 4-week long sponsored fitness challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

At just 13 years old, King James I Academy student, Layla V is already making her mark in the world of professional football. Not only has she spent the last two seasons playing for Sunderland AFC Womens’ Academy Under 14s team, but she has also attended two England ‘invite-only’ camps for potential lionesses.

Next year, our Computing Department will be running an exciting CyberFirst Girls competition for Year 8 students, which aims to inspire girls who are interested in technology.

To celebrate the end of exams for our Year 11s, and to commemorate their secondary school years at King James, we organised an end of year barbeque.

Students in Years 9 and 10 have achieved the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award by logging hours volunteering, doing physical activities, developing a new skill and completing a two day expedition.

At King James we make a priority of rewarding our students for their hard work in meeting our Seven Standards. Last year, we launched our Class Charts Rewards Store as a trial with our Year 10 and 11 students.

Lewis Lumley-Young, Teaching Assistant at King James I Academy, has won the Bishop Auckland College Teaching Assistant Apprentice of the Year Award 2024.

Students in Year 10 who are interested in trade careers have visited Bishop Auckland College to take part in taster sessions.

As part of our extensive Careers Advice and Guidance programme, Year 10 students have been taking part in a variety of hour-long talks delivered by professional speakers from different industry sectors.

As a result of the cost-of-living crisis, we have teamed up with the Local Authority Financial Inclusion Support Officer (FISO) Programme to offer support and advice to our local community.