Our Story
|
Date |
Development |
Detail |
|---|---|---|
|
1562 |
Dudley Grammar School founded |
Queen Elizabeth the First is on the throne and a number of schools are founded in this period. |
|
1897 |
Move to St James’s Road |
The original school block, including the historic hall on the first floor, is still in use. |
|
1975 |
The Dudley School |
The boys’ grammar is merged with Dudley Girls’ High School to become a mixed comprehensive. |
|
1989 |
Castle High School |
Another change of name and another merger, this time with The Bluecoat School. |
|
July 2017 |
Launch of Dudley Academies Trust |
Four Dudley secondary schools are brought together under the sponsorship of Dudley College of Technology to form a new Multi Academy Trust. |
|
September 2017 |
Our new mission and vision: |
Working together we will develop inspirational schools which instil ambition and desire in young learners, open their minds, widen their horizons and equip them to succeed in a challenging world. |
|
April 2018 |
SMART curriculum introduced |
The Trust makes the first of many big changes to come. |
|
August 2018 |
Developing our estate |
Work starts on improvements to the fabric of the academy, particularly its heating and roofs. |
|
August 2018 |
A new identity |
Castle Academy is re-named St James Academy. The name is chosen by the learners. |
|
September 2018 |
All change! |
Learners start the term with new uniforms (free blazers and ties), a new school day and new teaching methods centred around Collaborative Learning. |
|
September 2018 |
Introducing Values Driven Expectations |
A new system of rewards and behaviour management brings a different culture to the schools and a boost to teaching and learning in the classrooms. |
|
November 2018 |
Upgrade initiative |
The Academy day is extended by one period on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for all Year 11s. |
|
Winter 2018/19 |
Investment in IT |
Delivery starts of new PCs and laptops. Major improvements are made to cabling and wireless networks. |
|
December 2018 |
Pandas encourage attendance |
Perfect Attendance – No Days Absent attendance strategy is launched across the Trust. |
|
February 2019 |
New classroom computers installed |
Old computers in nearly 40 teaching classrooms are replaced with newer computers. |
| March 2019 |
Learning with Artificial Intelligence |
Century AI software is introduced to accelerate learners’ progress in English, Mathematics and Science. Year 11 learners get to grips with it during a second extra period at the end of the school day. |
|
Spring 2019 |
New IT Suite computers are installed |
3x I.T. suites are replaced with over 90x brand new computers and equipment. The old obsolete equipment disposed of. |
|
Summer 2019 |
I.T. Suite refurbishment work completed and new computers installed Additional laptops for L4L students |
Refurbishment of 2x further I.T. Suites are completed and brand new computers and equipment installed.
|