A SCHOOL community was united in song and dance in a showstopping extravaganza to mark the 20th anniversary of an educational innovation.
Primary, secondary and special schools, which form the Education Village Academy Trust, came together to celebrate two decades of learning with pupils, staff, friends and families.
EVAT led the way in 2006 when an education village was constructed in Haughton, Darlington, to provide a learning environment in which children of all ages and abilities to thrive.
Visitors to the celebration event were treated to a spectacle of young talent who performed songs and dance routines, in ensembles, solos and choirs, even a rock band, which kicked off appropriately with an all-schools rendition of Elton John’s Circle of Life, from Disney’s The Lion King.
This was followed by impeccable performances by pupils from Marchbank Free School, Haughton Academy, Springfield Academy, Whinfield Primary School, Reid Street Primary School, Gurney Pease Academy and Beaumont Hill Academy.
Hosted by pupils Rufus Tams, Kieran Stewart, Matthew Ramtohul, Ollie Bell, Lyla Lomas and Annie-Rose Hamilton, guests also witnessed long service awards being presented to prefects and heard addresses by the retiring chief executive Mike Butler and the incoming CEO Marie Roe.
Directed by principal at Haughton Academy Jane Darbyshire, she said: “Thanks to the incredible help of so many colleagues from all of our schools the show made our 20th anniversary performance a wonderful success.
“Without their commitment and dedication, ensuring our students and pupils were so well prepared through school and ensemble rehearsals, this simply could not have happened.
“Anyone can have an idea, but to make it a reality takes a special team of people. This truly was a herculean EVAT team effort which embodied everything we believe in as a trust.
“All our students were simply fabulous, their talent, effort and support of each other was just so moving to see. The performance brought so much joy to our children and to those who watched it.”
Mrs Darbyshire said that since joining EVAT, she had been wowed every day by how staff went above and beyond to support children, no matter what their needs or starting points, to fulfil their dreams and potential.
She added: “As our children sang the lyrics from For Good, 'because I knew you, I have been changed for good', I believe that applies to us all.”
Mr Butler told guests: “It is now 20 years since this fabulous building opened and since then the Education Village has stood as a place where individual strengths and talents are valued; where possibilities are recognised and nurtured; and where young people aged 2 to 19 are supported to achieve their full potential and to flourish.
“Years ahead of its time, the Education Village was the bringing together of a mainstream primary, a mainstream secondary and a large, generic 2-19 special school onto a single site, all to be housed within the one building, with an ethos of inclusion and ‘all-through’ approaches at the heart of the concept.
“It was a courageous vision developed by Dame Dela Smith, the first CEO of the Education Village. For me, this was the main attraction when I applied to work here almost 12 years ago, and I know it continues to inspire many people some 20 years on.
“As a trust, we share a common goal and a common purpose: to educate children and young people so every single one of them can thrive.”
