Over 300 people braved the high winds and torrential rain to attend Woodham Academy’s Open Evening on Thursday night. Headteacher, Christine Forsyth, addressed prospective pupils and their parents, giving a flavour of what Woodham Academy can offer in terms of academic success, care for the individual child and extra-curricular opportunities. These include foreign visits such as the annual ski trip to Italy and the French visit to the Côte Opale, performing arts and Woodham’s More Able Academy programme of visits. This was followed by a presentation on Woodham Sports Academy which provides free coaching in a range of sports including dance, football, gymnastics, swimming, boxing, water polo, table tennis, cricket, netball, basketball and, new for this year, mountain biking.

Woodham Academy is one of the top schools in County Durham in the most recent league tables, with pupils making a quarter of a grade better progress in all subjects than other schools nationally. This year, 70% of students passed GCSE maths and almost 80% a GCSE in English.

Student ambassadors from Year 11 showed families around the school so that they could see what goes on in all subject areas. There was also an opportunity to view the stunning Year 11 Art exhibition, including several pieces from the 5 students who achieved a top grade 9.

Woodham Academy is holding an Open Morning for parents / carers on Friday 28th September at 9.30am for any Year 6 parents who would like to see the school during a normal school day.

There is also an Open Morning for students on Saturday 13th October 10.00am – 12.00 noon. Activities will include trampolining, table tennis, making your own computer game, Crystal Maze, Google Balloons, Medical Mummies and investigative journalism. Parents will be able to speak with senior members of staff and attend briefing sessions whilst students are participating in activities. Refreshments will be provided.

Places can be booked at Woodham Academy reception telephone 01325 300328 or email info@woodham.org.uk