First Aid Training

10th July 2025Leanne Johnston

For the fourth consecutive year, we have partnered with ‘I Can Save a Life’ to delivered basic first aid training to our Year 10 students. As part of our PSHE curriculum and statutory Health Education, each student in Year 10 has the opportunity to work with a professional trainer to gain new skills.

 

Students get to understand some basic first aid, including CPR and how to use a defibrillator. The students have engaged fantastically well with the sessions and have been a real credit to the school, impressing Wayne with their engagement and enthusiasm.

KEVI takes GOLD… again!

4th July 2025Leanne Johnston

Well done to the PE Department who have, again been recognised for their hard work and dedication. The team have such a passion for Sport and its many benefits, and have continued this year to create so many opportunities and experiences for our students.

Sportsmark Gold Status for 2024-2025 it the fourth year that King Edward’s PE Department have been recognised; not only for the breadth and sheer number opportunities but the truley inclusive nature of PE at KEVI and the amount of students who participate in enriching and extra curricular Sport.

The team are aiming for Platimum in 2026 when even more students can get involved with our improved facilities. Congratulations to all of the staff and students that contributed to this achievment – you really make us proud!

Drawing for the Planet

1st July 2025Leanne Johnston

Enrichmnet Week 2025 saw another artistic conservation collaboration with local artist Jane Lee McCracken and Drawing for the Planet. This is the third time students have worked with Jane following marine projects in Laguna Beach and tiger conservation in Asia. This time, students worked with Jane on a project linked to conservation in the Amazon Rainforest.

The project features drawings of Amazonian wildlife created by our talented Year 9 students. They look stunning! https://drawingfortheplanet.org/pages/brazilian-and-peruvian-amazonian-wildlife

Sugar and Spice

6th June 2025Leanne Johnston

As part of our annual Enrichment Week, students interested in Food took part in the Sugar and Spice activity visiting culinery hotspots; Sachins Newcastle, R Place bakery in North Shields and York’s Chocolate Story.

Bob, the owner and Head Chef at Sachins provided a master class in curray making. Students got to see inside a professional kitchen and made their own naan breads… best of allo they got to taste everything!

 

Talking About Communication

5th June 2025Leanne Johnston

Many of our Year 10 students are out of school completing face to face work placements during our Enrichment Week. For those that are in school, the programme is focussing on employer enagement with Northumberland County Council and developing effective transferrable skills that would be useful in the workplace. As part of this we have partnered with Talk the Talk.

Expert trainers from Talk The Talk are in school on 5 June 2025 to work with students. This is to help them prepar for thier presentations at NCC County Hall on Friday.

The Talk About Communication workshop is an exciting and engaging master class developing speaking and listening skills within a creative learning environment. The workshop provides numerous speaking opportunities and students are coached and supported throughout the day to deliver a structured two minute presentation, on a topic for which they have a genuine passion, to their peers.

‘We demonstrate that speaking out should be an experience that we CAN do – and one that is nowhere near as daunting as we might think. One of the keys to the success of the Talk The Talk programme is creating an environment of mutual respect with a supportive ethos so that when students stand up and voice their opinions, share their thoughts and present their ideas – their skills and confidence grow.’

Mike, Talk The Talk

Talk The Talk’s mission is to develop students’ oracy skills and their communication confidence to support positive interaction in all life situations and improved social outcomes. This will be the third occassion KEVI have worked with Talk the Talk and student feedback has always been really positive.

Year 11 Class of 2025

29th May 2025Leanne Johnston

A fantastic time was had by both students and staff at the Year 11 Prom. The party from KEVI headed to St James’ Park on Friday 23 May to celebrate in style. It was great to see so many well wishes waving us off from the Bus Station. Mrs Gesinde and Mrs Devine pulled together a lavish celebration for their year group to enjoy with plenty of surprises.

Prom Icon Credit: Oraya Abhiromsawat via iconscout.com

 

Career Insights: Animation

23rd May 2025Leanne Johnston
The King Edward VI School Animation Club was delighted to welcome animator Callum Boyd to its meeting this week to share his industry experience with our students.
Callum of Atomhawk, an award winning studio that provides creative support to the games industry, delivered an informative talk where he outlined his route into animation as a career and shared some of the expertise he gained along the way.

Jeff Bridgewood who created the club to kindle creativity in our students commented.  “Our hardworking students were delighted to hear first hand from an industry expert and I am excited to see how they will be using his insights to inform their future projects.”

The King Edward VI School Celebrates Teaching Staff Honoured at Royal Garden Party

21st May 2025Leanne Johnston

The King Edward VI School is proud to share that two members of its teaching staff, Mr Chris Tedder and Dr Geoff Fox, were honoured guests at His Majesty The King’s Royal Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 14 May.

The invitation was extended in recognition of their exceptional service and dedication to education over a combined total of 61 years. Both Mr Tedder and Dr Fox are due to retire at the end of this academic year, making this prestigious event a truly fitting and memorable way to mark their remarkable careers and to thank them for their enduring impact on the school community.

This year marks the first time His Majesty The King has hosted a Royal Garden Party specifically to celebrate and recognise individuals working in the field of Education and Skills. The event brought together educators from across the country who have made a meaningful difference in their communities.

The invitation followed a nomination by the school’s Headteacher at the request of the Lord-Lieutenant, the monarch’s official representative in the county. Mr Tedder and Dr Fox were nominated for their long-standing commitment, inspirational teaching, and positive contributions to generations of students.

“It was a huge honour to be nominated and to attend such a special event,” said Mr Tedder.

Dr Fox added, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a wonderful way to mark the closing chapter of my career.”

The whole school community joins in celebrating this special recognition and in thanking Mr Tedder and Dr Fox for their outstanding service.