St Aidan's Church of England Academy: Difference between revisions

Line 42: Line 42:

| website = {{URL|https://www.staidansacademy.co.uk}}

}}[[File:Eastbournecofeacademylogo.PNG|thumb|Former school logo]]

”’St Aidan’s Church of England Academy”’ is a [[coeducational]] [[secondary school]] with [[Academy (England)|academy status]], in [[Darlington]], [[County Durham]], England.

==History==

Originally ”’Eastbourne Comprehensive School”’,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/06/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/841_4283.stm|title=Eastbourne Comprehensive School|publisher=BBC|date=11 January 2007|access-date=19 November 2009}}</ref> the school converted to academy status and was renamed ”’Eastbourne Church of England Academy”’. The school was later renamed St Aidan’s Church of England Academy.

The new academy building was built on Hundens Park, to the north of the original school site.

There are 550 pupils enrolled at the Academy for 2023.

== Ofsted ==

In January 2020 the school was ~~rated~~ Good in all areas.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ofsted Communications Team |date=25 July 2022 |title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare |url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report |access-date=5 June 2023 |website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk}}</ref> “This is a school of great warmth. It feels almost possible to reach out and touch the school’s caring ethos. The pupils are proud of the school.”

In January 2020 the school was Good in all areas.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ofsted Communications Team |date=25 July 2022 |title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare |url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report |access-date=5 June 2023 |website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk}}</ref> “This is a school of great warmth. It feels almost possible to reach out and touch the school’s caring ethos. The pupils are proud of the school.”

There was an inspection in 2025, Ofsted stated in all categories that the school was good <ref>{{Cite web |last=enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk |first=Ofsted Communications Team |date=2022-09-09 |title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare |url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk}}</ref>

There was an inspection in 2025 Ofsted stated in all categories that the school was good<ref>{{Cite web |last=enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk |first=Ofsted Communications Team |date=2022-09-09 |title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare |url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk}}</ref>

==Notable former pupils==

Line 63: Line 63:

=== St Aidan’s Church of England Academy ===

*[[Alex Pattison]], footballer

==Leadership==

In February 2015, principal Catherine McCoy and assistant principal Stephanie Francom stood down. Nicole Gibbon became principal and oversaw the Academy achieving an Ofsted “Good” rating.

In December 2021, Nicole Gibbon stepped down, with Anthony Martin, former Deputy Principal, becoming Acting Principal until the end of the year. In July 2022, Dean Lythgoe was appointed Headteacher, the first time since the Academy’s conversion from “Eastbourne” that the term was used, rather than Principal.

In July 2025, Dean Lythgoe stepped down at the end of the school year, with Nikki Gibb becoming Headteacher after.

As of September 2025, Nikki Gibb is the Headteacher.

== References ==

Academy in Darlington, County Durham, England

St Aidan’s Church of England Academy is a coeducational secondary school with academy status, in Darlington, County Durham, England. There are 550 pupils enrolled at the Academy for 2023.

Originally Eastbourne Comprehensive School,^[1] the school converted to academy status and was renamed Eastbourne Church of England Academy. The school was later renamed St Aidan’s Church of England Academy.

The new academy building was built on Hundens Park, to the north of the original school site.

In January 2020 the school was judged Good in all areas by Ofsted.^[2] “This is a school of great warmth. It feels almost possible to reach out and touch the school’s caring ethos. The pupils are proud of the school.”

There was an inspection in 2025 and Ofsted stated in all categories that the school was good.^[3]

Notable former pupils

[edit]

Eastbourne Comprehensive School

[edit]