Last term, we launched our own Academy Bank for students in conjunction with Darlington Building Society. The bank offers our students the opportunity to develop valuable life skills and watch their money grow through a number of incentive-based savings initiatives.

Fifteen Martin Gray Football Acadaemy students, accompanied by Mr Laybourn, have recently returned from a trip to the 'Match for Children' in aid of UNICEF fundraising event at Old Trafford, which was organised by David Beckham.

In a moving tribute to the many servicemen and women who lost their lives in conflict, student members of the ongoing World War I history project at King James stood alongside 95 year old WWII veteran, Mr George Iceton, The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Lee Brownson and other special guests at our new war memorial.

Year 9 student, Chloe C is the first winner in our year-long "Accelerated Reading' competition. The initiative, which is run by Miss Wharton in our English department in conjunction with Mr Wheatley in our busy school library, offers book lovers the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw each half term to win a "Kindle Fire.

The Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Lee Brownson demonstrated excellent babysitting skills during a recent visit to our Health and Social Care Department.

We have received excellent feedback and many positive comments from families in our local community who joined us at our "Treasure Island' themed Year 6 Open Evening event on September 30th.

This week. former King James student, the Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr. Lee Brownson officially open the newly-refurbished and renamed Agnew Building.

Staff and students have raised over £250 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support by taking part in the National Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning event.

Students in all year groups, including our Sixth Form, have enjoyed a Careers Fair this week, attended by representatives from a number of local businesses, national organisations, colleges and universities.

We are all now enjoying lessons in the refurbished Agnew and Lockey Buildings and watching our landscaped areas take shape. This month, we will be celebrating the completion of phase two of our development at a Grand Opening event on Thursday 24th September.