£10million investment powers record breaking year for Caldew School Sport
Caldew School is celebrating an exceptional year of sporting achievement, with pupils delivering outstanding results across football, rugby, hockey and netball – making it the school’s most successful sporting year to date.
The success follows the launch last autumn of the first phase of a £10 million investment programme, designed to create a centre of educational excellence and significantly enhance opportunities for students to fulfil their potential.
As part of the investment by the Story Group of companies – Story Contracting, Story Homes and Story Plant – Caldew School introduced an enhanced performance sports programme, investing in elite coaching, improved equipment and structured development pathways.
The impact has been immediate, with teams excelling throughout the Autumn and Spring terms. Highlights include:
• Year 7 Girls Football – District and County Cup Champions; last 16 of the National Cup
• Year 7 Boys Football – District and County Cup Champions; last 32 of the National Cup
• Years 7, 8 and 9 Football – District Champions
• Year 10 Boys Football – County Cup Champions
• Year 11 Boys Football – County Cup Runners up
• Netball – District Champions (Years 7, 10 and 11); runners up (Year 8)
• Year 9 Rugby – County Champions
• Year 7 Rugby – District Champions
• Hockey – Year 10 District Champions; runners up in Years 7 and 11
Mark Butler, Head of PE, said:
“The funding we have received from the Story Group has enabled us to bring in the very best coaches to support our students. This has been our most successful year for sport, with outstanding team performances that reflect the commitment and hard work of our students.
As we move into the summer term, our focus turns to athletics, with highly qualified coaches supporting our elite athletes during both curriculum and extra-curricular time.”
Headteacher Vicki Jackson added:
“We have ambitious plans to raise aspirations and provide the highest quality learning environment. The investment from the Story Group has allowed us to invest in our talented young sportspeople, alongside the facilities, equipment and coaching needed to help them reach their full potential.
We are incredibly proud of our students’ success and would like to thank the PE team, coaches and sponsors for their commitment and continued support.”
Fred Story, Chairman of the Story Group of companies said:
“I am absolutely delighted with the results the school have managed to achieve in such a short period of time, they are incredible. It shows that with the right level of enthusiasm from the students and teachers, alongside some targeted investment that a massive difference can be made. I am looking forward to seeing what can be achieved when these programmes are fully embedded. Well done to all the students on brilliant results”.