Sedgefield Community College have won the Innovation Award at the 2016 Northern Echo Schools Awards, being deemed by the University of Exeter the only ‘Advanced Thinking School’ in the region. 

Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, attended the annual Norther Echo School Awards which were held at the XCEL centre in Newton Aycliffe, and was honoured to receive the award on behalf of Sedgefield Community College.

Phil said “It was a privilege to collect the award on behalf of Sedgefield Community College.”

“The staff have worked hard to improve learning across the school, and it is great that it is being recognised.”

“To be the only ‘Advanced Thinking School’ in the region is a fantastic achievement, which students and staff alike should be very proud of.”

Sedgefield Community College, which has been the highest attaining secondary school in County Durham for two consecutive years, was one of 10 winners on the day. The school received the Innovation Award which recognised the changes the school has made in how they approach learning.

Starting in 2009/2010 Sedgefield Community College began to look at how learning took place in the school. Staff wanted to ensure that students had the ability to think for themselves.

To move forward, the school aimed to become an accredited ‘Thinking School’, an award which comes through the University of Exeter.

To be accredited with the award schools must demonstrate a commitment to encouraging everyone to think deeply, and for themselves.

Sedgefield Community College created ‘The Sedgefield Leaning Box’. A metaphorical box for tools and strategies to support students and staff in thinking independently and effectively.

The success of the metaphorical 'Sedgefield Learning Box' has provided structures for students and staff to think in different ways, enabling different understanding. The approaches are currently being used across the school by teachers in all subjects.