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Rydal Unveils Innovative EYFS Outdoor Village to Inspire Early Years Learning
The Rydal Academy is delighted to announce the official opening of its brand-new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Outdoor Village, a purpose-built learning environment designed to spark imagination, curiosity and play. The Outdoor Village was formally opened recently by Tim Fisher, CEO of our Partnership, who joined staff and pupils to celebrate this exciting new chapter for the school. Children wasted no time exploring the immersive new spaces, which include a bakery, veterinary clinic, gym, supermarket, school, architect’s studio, and more. Each area has been thoughtfully designed to support role play, communication, problem‑solving and collaborative learning. The Rydal Academy extends…
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Rydal Academy Pupils Take Part in Young Voices 2026 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena
Pupils from Years 5 and 6 at Rydal Academy were given an unforgettable opportunity this year as they took part in Young Voices 2026 at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield. The event forms part of Young Voices’ 30th anniversary celebrations, marking three decades of bringing children together through the power of music. Thousands of pupils from across the country joined voices to create one of the largest children’s choirs in the world, performing alongside live musicians and special guest artists. Rydal pupils proudly joined the massed choir, showcasing their singing skills and experiencing the excitement of performing on a major arena stage.…
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From Classroom to Housing Development: Young Minds Bring Nature-Inspired Street Names to Life
Pupils from Year 5 at Mowden Junior School have been working alongside Bellway Homes on their latest housing development on Staindrop Road, Darlington, helping to shape part of the new community in a unique and creative way. As part of the collaboration, the children were invited to suggest street names inspired by nature. After careful consideration, the following names were chosen for the development: The project gave pupils the opportunity to see how their ideas can influence real-world developments, linking classroom learning with the local community. A huge thank you goes to Bellway Homes for providing such an exciting and memorable opportunity. Staff…
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QE Student Turns Pages into Opportunities with Penguin Books
Meet Lailah Mudd, a current QE second year studying English Literature, Tudor History and Business Technical. Beyond the classroom, Lailah has carved out an impressive niche as a successful book influencer, who’s reputation and passion in the online book reading community has caught the eye of major book publishing company Penguin Books. Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Lailah has collaborated with Penguin Books on exciting projects: receiving exclusive PR boxes of new releases; proofreading manuscripts; beta reading; and even expanding her skill set by assisting editorial teams on upcoming titles. She also partners with independent authors, helping…
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Year 11 Longfield Netball Squad Secures 5th Consecutive Town Title
The Year 11 Longfield Netball squad has done it again! Taking on the pressure at Polam Hall School, the team demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, winning every match to secure the title of Netball Town Champions for the fifth consecutive year. The squad is celebrated not only for their talent on the court but also for their team spirit, dedication, and hard work. While the players have evolved from Year 7 to Year 11, the passion and commitment of the team have remained unwavering. “The girls are truly remarkable,” said Miss Piggott, Head of Year 11. “Their relentless commitment, support for…
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All Three Hurworth Teams Qualify for Northern Championships
Hurworth School is celebrating a fantastic achievement as all three of its table tennis teams have qualified for the Northern Finals at Bradford Grammar this February. This success is a testament to the dedication, skill, and teamwork of every pupil who took part. The school community is incredibly proud of all the players for their hard work and commitment throughout the season. “Qualifying all three teams for the Northern Finals is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Mrs Somerville, Headteacher. “We are thrilled to see our pupils compete at this level and wish them the best of luck in Bradford.”
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QE Students Shine at Darlington Borough Council Stronger Communities Awards
QE was honoured to attend the Darlington Borough Council Stronger Communities Awards 2025 at the Dolphin Centre, a fantastic celebration of the people and organisations that make our community thrive. We were thrilled to see several QE students and alumni recognised for their achievements across multiple categories. Being shortlisted for these awards is an incredible accomplishment and reflects the hard work, ambition, and commitment each student demonstrated during their time at QE. Academic Excellence Award A huge congratulations to Louis Brett, a QE alumnus who left in 2025, for winning the Academic Excellence Award. Louis achieved an outstanding four A* grades in…
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Fit for Royalty: Prince Edward Visits Longfield to Celebrate 200 Years of the Stockton and Darlington Railway
Longfield Academy was honoured by a visit from Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. The royal visit celebrated the railway’s rich history and its enduring impact on the local community. Prince Edward met with students and staff, taking the time to acknowledge Darlington’s pivotal role in preserving this historic legacy. The visit concluded with a spectacular helicopter departure, leaving the community buzzing with excitement and pride. “It was a truly historic moment for Longfield and the whole Darlington community,” said Mrs…
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QE Student Secures Place at World’s Top Veterinary Medicine Institution
A determined and dedicated A Level student from Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE), Darlington, is celebrating after securing a place to study Veterinary Medicine at the prestigious Royal Veterinary College – ranked number one in the world for veterinary medicine. Alexandra, a former student of Greenfield Community College, Newton Aycliffe, achieved A* grade in Chemistry, A grade in Mathematics and a B grade in Biology, earning her place through the highly competitive Sutton Trust programme. Alexandra explains: “I have always been passionate about animals and knew veterinary medicine was the right path for me. The support and opportunities at…
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QE Student’s Ambition Takes Flight with Prestigious U.S. Engineering Scholarship
Eighteen-year-old Noble Anim from Thornaby, a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE), is set to take flight to the United States after being awarded a prestigious full financial scholarship to study engineering at the world-renowned Georgia Institute of Technology. This opportunity comes after his successful participation in the Sutton Trust Fulbright US Programme. Noble’s outstanding achievements mark a significant milestone in his academic journey, showcasing his dedication, resilience, and passion for engineering. The scholarship will fully cover tuition fees and living expenses, enabling him to pursue his ambitions without financial barriers. A former student of Trinity Catholic College…
