On the 21st of March, Jarrow School entered the first round of the national Mock Trial Competition, run by Young Citizens every year, which challenges students to undertake a whole host of roles in a simulated court environment. We are delighted to share that our Year 9 entrants were successful and will continue on to the second round of the competition! The students have shown a fantastic commitment throughout this term and presented themselves with the utmost professionalism and this result reflects all of the hard work they put in.

The competition challenged students to either step into the role of barristers, arguing their case in front of a magisters bench, or into the shoes of the witnesses, having to learn their parts and accurately answer questions thrown at them by other competitors. Some students also took on more professional roles, as either a court usher, keeping the trial moving steadily forward or sat on the bench themselves, with the difficult job of deciding the final verdict of the case. The judges were exceedingly impressed with both the prosecution and defence side of our team, with everyone giving stand out performances.

The first trial of the day was between the defence team of Jarrow School and the prosecution team of Durham Johnson. Our team was led by Yathu Anbu Bhuvaneswari and Naomi Mendes and they presented themselves brilliantly, successfully achieving a not guilty verdict for their defendant. The witnesses were played by Caitlyn Ferguson and Neil Dixley, who both held up under questioning and were excellent in their delivery. The second trial between Jarrow School prosecution and the defence of Belmont School was equally successful. Our team was lead by Fiona Jayawardena and Izzie Coyle, whose arguments managed to sway the magisters and achieve a guilty verdict, a very impressive feat that rarely happens during competition. The witnesses Caitlyn Ferguson and Hollie Reynolds were crucial to this success as their preparation made sure no other choice could be made. 

This achievement was particularly noteworthy given the level of competition they faced and the complexity of the case they were required to present. For all of the students, this was their first experience of a mock trial, making their performance all the more impressive. It is a testament to their resilience, responsibility and respect, upholding the Jarrow School morals.

The team was led by two staff members, Miss Angus and Mr Simmonds. This was a collaborative effort between students and staff and their ongoing support of the students has been vital.

The team now looks ahead to the next round of the competition in a few months time and we wish them every success. Regardless of the outcome, their achievement already is truly impressive and they have made the school incredibly proud. We look forward to their ongoing success and celebrating what promises to be an exciting journey.

Congratulations again to everyone involved!

Jarrow School Named South Tyneside’s Culture, Media and Sport Ambassadors

Jarrow School has been proudly crowned the winners of the Culture, Media and Sport Ambassadors for South Tyneside, following an inspiring celebration led by South Tyneside Youth Council (STYC). The final event of this year’s Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) campaign took place on Wednesday at the historic Jarrow Hall, where young people, schools, and community partners gathered to reflect on a year of creativity, participation and youth-led action.

The event opened with the official launch of STYC’s new Young Volunteer Guide, an exciting resource designed to help young people discover opportunities to get involved in cultural, sporting and media activities across the borough. The guide forms part of STYC’s mission to ensure young people not only have a voice, but also the tools and confidence to shape their own futures.

Attendees were also treated to a screening of STYC’s latest film, created in partnership with the talented team at Red Stamp Productions. The film captured the energy and innovation behind this year’s CMS campaign. Its high-quality production and uplifting message earned warm praise from everyone at the event.

Schools from across South Tyneside took to the stage to share the ways they had championed Culture, Media and Sport throughout the year. From visual arts projects to new sports opportunities, from digital media creations to community engagement activities, each school demonstrated passion and originality. Their presentations highlighted just how much talent and enthusiasm exists among the borough’s young people.

After hearing all the contributions, STYC announced Jarrow School as the overall winner of this year’s award. The school was recognised for its outstanding commitment to enriching student life through culture and sport. Judges praised Jarrow’s extensive extracurricular programme, which encourages students to take part in a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. Beyond school walls, Jarrow School has been a strong advocate for local community events, actively promoting opportunities and celebrations across social media.

One of their standout achievements has been their collaborative project with Jarrow Hall, aimed at inspiring more young people to engage with the museum. Students not only championed the venue but also created a mural inside the museum, leaving a lasting artistic legacy. Additionally, Jarrow School launched their own podcast, “Student Soundwaves,” which highlights positive activities, youth achievements, and good news stories from across South Tyneside.

Wednesday’s event marked yet another successful campaign delivered by South Tyneside Youth Council—an organisation consistently dedicated to ensuring that young voices are heard, respected, and responded to. Their work continues to strengthen opportunities for youth involvement and celebrates the creativity and leadership of young people across the borough.

Congratulations to Jarrow School on their well-deserved award, and well done to STYC for another inspiring, impactful campaign.

Celebrating Excellence: Jarrow School Achieves Ambassador School Status

Jarrow School has been recognised nationally for its educational excellence after being awarded Ambassador School Status by the Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT).

This prestigious accolade highlights the school’s exceptional commitment to high-quality teaching, evidence-informed practice, and a culture of continuous improvement.

A Two-Year Journey of Progress

The recognition follows Jarrow School’s completion of a two-year SSAT programme focused on embedding formative assessment as a central part of everyday learning. The programme—developed by leading international expert Professor Dylan Wiliam, alongside Siobhan Leahy and SSAT—is based on more than fifteen years of research.

Jarrow students are already seeing the impact of the improved teaching methods introduced over the past two years. Average point scores have risen from 3.55 to 3.88, and the proportion of students achieving five strong qualifications, including English and Maths, has increased from 42.7% to 49.7%. Those with consistently good attendance have made the greatest progress, demonstrating the value of regular engagement with learning.

Improving Practice Through Collaboration

Throughout the programme, Jarrow teachers met regularly in Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs) to explore evidence-led strategies that strengthen formative assessment. These approaches help teachers check understanding frequently during lessons and adjust their teaching in real time to support student learning.

As part of this process, teachers observed one another’s practice and offered constructive, supportive feedback—a process that has strengthened both teaching quality and professional collaboration.

Leadership Perspective 

“Achieving Ambassador School Status is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our staff. Over the past two years, we have worked together to strengthen our Teaching for Learning culture, ensuring every classroom is a place where students can thrive. I am incredibly proud of our team and the positive impact this work is having on our young people.”

Paul Atkinson, Headteacher

Recognition from SSAT

SSAT EEF Mentor Andy Williams praised the commitment shown by both staff and students:

“Over the two years at Jarrow School, I have seen a great deal of excellent practice. The teachers embraced the programme openly and honestly and were able to talk through how their practice has developed. Their sustained focus on formative assessment has enriched the daily learning experience of students. The students themselves are impressive—confident, thoughtful, and eager to discuss their learning. I have no doubt this strong foundation will continue to grow in the years ahead.”

He also commended the teachers who led the Teacher Learning Communities:

“The TLC Leaders who facilitated the programme so effectively over the two years have not only helped colleagues identify and address areas for development but have also strengthened the collaborative culture across the school.”