Headteacher reveals radical overhaul at Teesdale School

“MUCH, much better.” That’s the message from the headteacher who is driving a major overhaul at Teesdale School – and she says there is “no doubt” it will become the best in the region.

The school is undergoing a revamp with hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on makeovers for classrooms and equipment. Subjects such design and technology, which had been taken off the curriculum along with drama and RE, are being reinstated and a new library is to be created. Food technology facilities have also been refurbished – as has the music room.

Mobile phones have been banned for students and teachers are discouraged from shouting at the children – instead a “new culture” is being instilled where problems are solved “a different way”.

The school received a poor Ofsted report in 2015 but has had the slate officially wiped clean after it joined a multi-academy trust last year. The North East Learning Trust is responsible for eight schools in the region.

The first year since the change saw Teesdale School being measured in the top five schools in the county after a high percentage of students got grades 9 to 5 in GCSE English and maths.

A new uniform is also being introduced for year seven children and will filter down the school as they grow older.

Executive headteacher of Teesdale School Dr Janice Gorlach, who is also a lead Ofsted inspector, said: “There is not a shadow of doubt that this will be the best school in the North East.

“The amount we have changed is phenomenal. We want these students to have the best in the area but we’re not just interested in league tables – we want an excellent school where the kids excel in everything.

“That’s why we’re putting more emphasis on music. The message is that this school is much, much better.

Some £100,000 was spent in the summer holidays giving classrooms a makeover, she said.

“The difference is chalk and cheese,” said Dr Gorlach, whose time is split between schools in the trust.

The school says the previous two-week timetable was chaotic and lacked routine. Now it’s condensed into one week.

There is a new house system, along with a scheme that rewards students for results, as well as simply being thoughtful. A specialist counsellor works with students to address any issues.

Prefect and deputy head boy Ethan Rawlins, 15, said: “The school was going downhill but a lot of things are being done differently for the better. There’s a different attitude to learning.”

Year nine student Ben Arundel, 13, said he was delighted how the school had ambitions of being a centre for music, adding that felt “betrayed” to hear how the school had been described as “floundering” by an anonymous Facebook group.

Ben added: “There has been a dramatic improvement in behaviour.”

Two subjects have been introduced for year seven students – French and Spanish. Students are also learning photography in A-level art and the school has its own dark room – a nod to the revival of 35mm film. Staffing has also been reorganised. A French speaking linguist is also joining the school shortly.

Leaders at Teesdale School say they hope it will be a first-choice for post-16 students.

Simon Henderson, one of the heads of sixth form and head of history, said: “We aim to have the best sixth form in Durham and to be a first choice for A-levels. We’re creating an elite ethos, although we’re not saying everybody will get A and A stars but many will – it’s about the approach to studies.”

He used examples such as the school being an official partner of the Freedom City 2017 project, which marks the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King receiving an honourary degree from Newcastle University. A GCSE revision session with a history professor from Oxford is also planned.