King James I Academy
King James I Academy (formally known as King James I Community Arts College) is a medium size academy school and sixth form centre for mixed gender aged 11–18 in the town of Bishop Auckland in County Durham in north east England. It traces its history to the early 17th century.
| King James I Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
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South Church Road , , DL14 7JZ England | |
| Coordinates | 54.6598°N 1.67°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Established | 1605 |
| Local authority | Durham County Council |
| Department for Education URN | 136770 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Chair | Elizabeth Varley |
| Headteacher | Mr S. Whitehead (Formerly Nicholas Grieveson) |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Colour(s) | Black and Gold |
| Former names | King James I Community Arts College King James I Community College King James I Comprehensive King James I Grammar School |
| Website | http://kingjames1academy.com/ |
History
Opened in 1605, it went through multiple transformations and renaming.[1] It was mainly known as King James 1st Grammar School and became the first secondary school in south-west Durham to be upgraded to academy status.[2]
In an interview, Elizabeth Varley (Chair Of Governors For The Academy and former student) described how many years ago, students had to pass a test to be able to attend the academy since at the time it was a Grammar School where boys and girls were educated separately. She also revealed that the current Art block was not part of the original Middle School building, and that it was added at a later date to house a school swimming pool.
There are currently over 900 students in the academy and roughly 90 staff, including representatives from Connexions, and the NHS
Notable former pupils
- Andrew Ayre, High Commissioner to Guyana from 2011 to 2015
- Stan Laurel, comedian
- William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong, who founded Armstrong Whitworth
- Keith Hampson, Conservative MP from February 1974 - 1983 for Ripon, then Leeds North West from 1983 to 1997
- Harold Heslop, writer
- Derek Hodgson, priest
- Prof Philip Hutchinson FREng, Principal from 1996 to 2006 of the Royal Military College of Science (Cranfield University), Head of the School of Engineering from 1987 to 2007 at Cranfield University
- Prof Ian Lauder FRCPath FMedSci, Dean of Medicine from 2000 to 2008 at the University of Leicester, and Professor of Pathology from 1984 to 2000
- Prof Harold Orton, Professor of English Language and Medieval English Literature from 1946 to 1964 at the University of Leeds
- Rt Rev Tom Stanage, Bishop of Bloemfontein from 1982 to 1997
- Thomas Wright, astronomer
- Andrew Nelson (Footballer) Footballer for Dundee F.C.
References
- Dorothy Wearmouth. King James I Academy, Bishop Auckland, Heritage Statement & Statement of Significance, Archaeo-Environment Ltd, May 2013. A Brief History of King James I Academy: "The school has had a number of names throughout its history. It started as Bishop Auckland County School for Girls, then became Bishop Auckland Girls’ Grammar School. In 1962 it amalgamated with King James I Grammar School (for boys) and became known as Bishop Auckland Grammar School. In 1974 it became the Bishop Auckland Comprehensive Secondary School. (and Community Centre) and then King James I Community Arts College. In 2011 it became King James I Academy and the original girls’ school formed the Middle School."
- King James School, Bishop Auckland, celebrates academy status, North East Life, 25 August 2011