Headteacher's Welcome
St. Aidan’s is a Catholic learning community proud to be part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust in which all individuals are provided with the opportunity to flourish in a way that is rooted firmly in the values of the Gospel. By placing Christ at the centre of all that we do and recognising learning as the fundamental focus of all our work we are achieving our mission objective to ensure that each person can ‘Celebrate life to the full’.
Our ethos and practice is proudly rooted in these beliefs and in the core values: Hard Work,Trust and Fairness. From the moment a student arrives at St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy we expect them to live by these values.
Our
Legacy
The 1970s building on Willowbank Road belies the 96-year history of St Aidan’s!
The origins of St Aidan’s date back to 1928 when St Mary’s Grammar School was opened in Bede Tower (Stockton Road) by Canon Smith, the then parish priest of St Mary’s to serve the Catholic boys of Sunderland as the town’s population expanded rapidly due to the success of the coal mining and ship building industries.
The Jesuits took over in 1935, transferring the school to The Briery on Ashbrooke Road the following year, when it was renamed Corby Hall. The name was then changed again in 1937, to Sunderland Catholic College, before becoming Corby School in 1939.
What Pupils & Parents Say About Us
"I like science so much because of the amount of information and data that needs to be used. I also like science because of my teachers and the brilliant work they do every day"
James, Year 10
"English gives me the chance to be creative and express myself"
Jacob, Year 10
"Office 10 (SEND base) is a safe place to go and get help when you just need someone to talk to in private"
Year 7 Pupil
"Teachers help me one to one in my lessons, they always check I understand and talk things through with me if I have questions"
Year 8 Pupil
"I’ve learned more than a language, a culture and a way of life, but also how to be mature and responsible – a new me"
Year 9 Student
"The Art Department is a great environment to work in, calming and supportive. Everywhere you look fantastic examples of visual arts inspire you"
Michael, past student
"If you want your son to excel, then this is the place to be"
Mr Sanderson, Parent, 2023
Pupils are happy at school and confident when speaking about their experiences. One pupil told inspectors that teachers ‘want to get the best from us’. Inspectors agree.
Ofsted June 2023
"My son’s reading has thrived since starting at St. Aidan’s. He is now asking to go to book shops and buy books and is actively reading for pleasure. The reading Canon sessions have really brought him on and improved his self confidence with reading and that they have “done him the world of good”
Year 7 Parent