50 Years of Oxclose Community Academy: Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Future

Oxclose Community Academy has celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special event bringing together pupils, staff, former pupils, former headteachers and members of the wider Washington community to mark five decades of education, achievement and shared memories.

Held on Wednesday 14th October from 4pm to 6pm, the celebration took the form of a ‘festival of memories’, giving guests the freedom to explore exhibitions, take part in activities and reconnect with people and places from across the Academy’s history. Centred on the theme ‘50 years: Celebrating the Past. Inspiring the Future.’, the event honoured the Academy’s heritage while recognising the people shaping its present and future.

Four guests took to the stage to share their reflections on the milestone: Headteacher Amanda Parkes, Laidlaw Schools Trust CEO Sally Newton, Chair of Governors Linda Williams and former pupil George Clarke, the Sunderland-born architect, lecturer, writer and Channel 4 presenter.

Reflecting on her 23 years at Oxclose Community Academy, Amanda Parkes spoke about the distinctive sense of community that makes the Academy special.

“When I first started here 23 years ago, people spoke about the ‘Oxclose feeling’, which I didn’t really understand. It took me a few months, but I finally realised what they meant.”

- Amanda Parkes, Headteacher, Oxclose Community Academy

Sally Newton also paid tribute to the staff at Oxclose Community Academy, highlighting how their care and commitment embody the Trust’s ambition to provide extraordinary education.

“Extraordinary education is epitomised at Oxclose Community Academy through the care, commitment and dedication of its teachers, who make such a difference to the lives of their pupils.”

- Sally Newton, CEO, Laidlaw Schools Trust

Guests were welcomed with a look back at Oxclose Community Academy’s early days, including BBC footage from when a new area of the school first opened. The event also recognised the Academy’s longstanding place within Washington and its contribution to the local community as part of Laidlaw Schools Trust.

A special exhibition brought together photographs, artefacts and memorabilia from across the Academy’s 50-year history. Former pupils were encouraged to share items connected to their time at the Academy, including school uniforms, bags, textbooks, school reports, yearbooks and awards, helping to bring decades of memories together.

Pupils played an important role in making the celebration possible, helping to gather materials from the Academy’s archives and plan the displays and activities. Visitors could explore a timeline of the Academy’s history, look back at Prom Through the Years and discover displays celebrating PE and sporting achievements. Other exhibits included editions of the Oxclose Herald, school yearbooks and the Academy’s rewards shop, alongside interactive games and quizzes such as Guess the Teacher and Complete the Memory.

These activities gave former pupils, staff and visitors the chance to share stories, recognise familiar faces and reflect on how Oxclose Community Academy has changed over the decades.

George Clarke’s return was another highlight of the celebration. Having once walked the same corridors as the pupils now attending the Academy, his journey into a successful career in architecture and television offered an inspiring example of the opportunities and ambitions that can grow from a strong educational foundation.

The school band performed live, adding to the celebratory atmosphere as guests circulated between displays and caught up with old friends and colleagues.

The occasion also brought back memories of school dinners, with a nostalgic menu served on traditional school dinner trays. Familiar favourites included chicken curry, melting moments, apple cornflake crunch, old-school flan and the much-loved sprinkle cake.

A huge thank you goes to the catering and site teams, the Discover team at Oxclose Community Academy and all the staff and pupils who contributed their time, ideas and effort to bring the event to life. Their work helped create a celebration that reflected the character of the Academy and the strength of its community.

For five decades, Oxclose Community Academy has been an important part of life in Washington, supporting generations of young people and building lasting connections with families and the wider community. Its 50th anniversary was an opportunity not only to celebrate that history but also to recognise the people and relationships that continue to shape the Academy today.

Laidlaw Schools Trust is proud to be part of Oxclose Community Academy’s journey as it marks this milestone. Looking to the future, the anniversary serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of a school rooted in its community and committed to providing extraordinary education and opportunities for young people.