History of St Joseph’s
St. Joseph's Catholic Academy in Hebburn began as St. Joseph's Grammar Technical School in 1959, officially opening in 1960. It served as a grammar school with a technical focus, catering to Catholic children in the north of County Durham and South Shields. The school later merged with St. James' RC Secondary Modern School in 1974, becoming a comprehensive school. In 1996, it gained Technology College status and was later converted to an academy in 2013 as part of the Bishop Chadwick Education Trust, becoming St. Joseph's Catholic Academy.
For decades our alumni have had a positive impact on the local community and beyond. So many have truly let their light shine and paved the way for future generations of successful St. Joseph’s students to have a similar impact wherever they go.
Wall of FLAME
Many of our former St Joseph’s students have achieved extraordinary success and are now recognised on our Wall of FLAME. Former students you may recognise include Sir Brendan Foster, Acclaimed author David Almond OBE, BBC weather presenter Jen Bartram and Sunderland Captain Dan Neil. The inspirational display demonstrates to students that they can achieve anything the put their minds to and that the education and opportunities they receive at St. Josephs will help achieve this.
Keep in Touch
We love to hear from our former students as they have a wealth of experiences and success they can share which offers inspiration to present students. We invite all our Year 13 leavers back into school for an afternoon tea a year after they leave. This is an ideal opportunity to catch up and share stories of how they have started their journey beyond St Joseph’s.
In addition, if you would like to share your success please get in touch: office@stjosephs.uk.net.
Get Involved
It is great to see so many former students return to be part of our career's events or be guest speakers at influencer events. If you could attend a careers event and help make a difference please contact us at office@stjosephs.uk.net.
A Lasting Legacy
Our alumni have always been generous to help our school community in may ways, including:
- The donation of trophies for our rewards and prize giving
- Corporate sponsorship of our sport awards evening, football teams and other events
- Donations of soil and plants for the school garden
- Cash donations towards our enrichment programme and extracurricular clubs
- Donations for charitable events
These are just some of the meaningful contributions that our alumni have already made, to give back to the school community. These contributions are invaluable in helping us enhance to our personal development and careers programme and provide academic and extracurricular rewards that recognise the achievements of our pupils.
Additionally, legacy gifts enable us to support some of our most vulnerable pupils, ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has access to the same opportunities for success.
Through scholarships and bursaries, we can provide financial support to those who need it most, helping them access a breadth of opportunities both in and beyond the classroom. Your support helps us sustain an inclusive and aspirational learning environment, empowering all pupils to reach their full potential by letting their light shine.
Leave a legacy – get in touch: office@stjosephs.uk.net.