Academy Life
Discover more about King James I Academy including Ofsted inspection reports, Bus Timetables, Uniform requirements and details surrounding the School Day.
Learn MoreStudents
Information for our students, including bus times, uniform, timetable information and Student Support.
Learn MoreHomework Timetable
This year in response to feedback from our teachers and students we will be trialling a homework timetable.
Learn MoreSafeguarding
Learn about our academy's safeguarding team, make a referral or read our key policies.
Learn MorePersonal Development
Information on our Personal Development programme across all Key Stages.
Learn MoreParents
Information for parents of students attending or thinking about attending our school.
Learn MoreContact Us
Contact Details such as Address, Telephone Numbers, Email Addresses and Points of Contact within the Academy.
Learn MoreYear 6 Transition
This year we can return to our full transition programme to ensure a smooth start to Year 7.
Learn MoreOur Vision Statement
Welcome 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 2024/25 academic year we continued to build upon our many successes and we will continue to do the same in 2025/26 as we look forward to another exciting and inspiring year filled with opportunities to learn and grow. We are over-subscribed for the seventh year running and hope to be again in September 2026, 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, Majorca, France and the Netherlands last year, and have more planned for the future.
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 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
Latest News...
Year 5 Curriculum Weeks
Today we welcomed Year 5 pupils from Etherley Lane, St Andrew's, Oakley Cross and Woodhouse Primary schools to King James.
Year 9s return from Normandy
35 students in Year 9 have returned from a trip to Normandy in France with Academy Librarian, Mr Wheatley, our Director of Learning for Languages, Miss Stephenson and History Teacher, Miss Best. The trip combined opportunities for students to develop their language skills with learning about French culture and World War II history.
Slam Poetry with Steph's Poetry Space
Slam poetry is a, exciting, high-energy form of performance poetry, designed to be spoken aloud rather than read from a page. It combines writing, theatrical delivery and audience interaction.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
This year, over 40 students in Years 9, 10 and 11 have earned one of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Awards following completion of tasks in four main sections of the programme: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition.
Shortlisted for The Key Awards 2026
Two teams of Year 12 Media students at King James I Academy have been shortlisted to receive an award at The Key Awards 2026. The teams, calling themselves ‘The Gourmet Gurus’ and ‘The Escape Artists’ have been nominated in the category of ‘Key+ Innovators of the Year’.
Performance workshop with Victoria Melody
Students in Years 7 and 8 have had the chance to participate in a practical workshop featuring games and drama activities with the award-winning performance artist, Victoria Melody. Victoria is the artist in residence for the Shildon-based project called PLACE Lab.
Hoppers and Nando's!
A group of Year 8 girls have recently used their Stage 1 Key Challenge funding for a trip to the cinema and a meal at Nando's in Darlington. The team of five students call themselves The Aqua Girls.
Gourmet Gurus Go Glamping
A team of Sixth Form students, calling themselves 'Gourmet Gurus Go Glamping', who have been taking part in The Key+ Challenge, have used their funding to organise an overnight glamping experience.
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