Also the winner of this year’s science, technology and engineering team award, Sedgefield Community College was recognised by judges as an “exceptional” school, where staff have ambition to do their very best for students.

The Covid pandemic has presented huge complexities for schools. Sedgefield has not only managed these with “initiative and drive” but has extended support to other schools in the region.

The school was rated as “outstanding” in all categories by Ofsted in 2017 after being seen as a “failing” school several years earlier. But rather than seeing this as the culmination of a journey, the school saw it as a springboard for further development.

The school believes it has a moral imperative to share best practice and make a significant difference to the standards of education for as many young people as possible in the region.

In spring last year, it joined the Laidlaw Schools Trust, through which it provides extensive support to two other secondary schools, both of which are said to have “exceptionally challenging” student cohorts.

What’s more, the school plays a key role in the development of more than 100 trainee teachers each year.

Judge Christine Gilbert said: “Sedgefield Community College is an exceptional school, which has provided an excellent education for its students over many years. The passion, determination and ambition of all involved in the school to do their very best for students shines through all aspects of school life. 

“This year, Sedgefield has not only continued to develop well, managing the complexities of the pandemic with characteristic initiative and drive, but has also extended even greater support to other schools.”