Cramlington Learning Village

The school was established in 1969 as Cramlington County High School, after the upgrading of Cramlington to a new town under the New Towns Act 1946.{{Cite book |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8129511 |title=Northumberland: Cramlington County High School |date=1979–1986 }} In line with Northumberland Local Education Authority's other high schools, the name was changed to Cramlington Community High School in the early 1990s as part of a scheme that enabled wider community use of the schools. Though a second high school was originally planned, as of 2022, it remains the only secondary school in the town.

Former head teachers include Peter Dines CBE, later the Chief Executive of the Schools Council from 1988 to 1993 and the National Curriculum Council, Angus Taylor OBE and Derek Wise CBE (born 6 June 1949).{{Cite web |title=Derek Wise: Bloomsbury Publishing (UK) |url=https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/author/derek-wise/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.bloomsbury.com}} Wise, head from 1990 until 2010, led a turnaround in the school's performance and began to implement the process of "Accelerated Learning" in 1997.{{Cite web |title=Obituary - Derek Wise |url=https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/obituary-derek-wise |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Tes Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=Birch |first=Tony |date=15 October 2003 |title=School Portrait: Cramlington Community High School, Northumberland, England |url=https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/4976/7/ICT%20in%20schools%202004%20School%20Portraits%20-%20Cramlington%20Community%20High%20School%20(PDF%20format)_Redacted.pdf |journal=Ernist Ict}} By 2004, it was performing significantly above local authority and national averages on all key measures.{{Cite web |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Cramlington Community High School |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/03/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/929_4424.stm |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=BBC News}}{{Cite web |title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Education {{!}} League Tables {{!}} Cramlington Community High School |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/05/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/929_4424.stm |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=BBC News}}

For a number of years, the school used the tagline "where the science of learning meets the art of teaching".Wise, Derek. [http://www.cchsonline.co.uk/cchsontheweb/1.htm "When the Art of Teaching Meet the Science of Learning"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907211007/http://www.cchsonline.co.uk/cchsontheweb/1.htm|date=7 September 2008}}, "CCHS Online". Retrieved 4 April 2008 Wise, along with former deputy headteacher Mark Lovatt, wrote Creating an Accelerated Learning School, a book explaining their implementation of accelerated learning techniques.

Wendy Heslop succeeded Wise as headteacher.{{Cite web |last=Luke |first=Adam |date=2015-07-16 |title=Cramlington Learning Village placed in special measures by Ofsted |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/cramlington-learning-village-placed-special-9667593 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en}} Upon her retirement in 2021, she had worked at the school for 35 years.{{Cite web |title=A Message From headteacher Wendy Heslop – Meet Our New Co-Heads for September 2021 – Cramlington Learning Village |url=https://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?p=6587 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk}} John Bird and Kim Irving were then appointed Co-Heads.

It had Science College status and was later awarded a second specialism in vocational education. In 2003, it was selected as one of the nation's Leading Edge schools by the office of Public Service Reform (Cabinet Office).

{{unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}

File:Cramlington Learning Village Campus.jpg

The school is divided into separate "villages":

• the Junior Learning Village – years 7 and 8
• the Senior Learning Village – years 9 to 11
• and the Advanced Learning Village – years 12 and 13 (Sixth Form).

The original buildings were constructed in 1969, consisting of a tin-plastic mixture, using the Consortium of Local Authorities Special Programme building system. A number of additional buildings have been added over the years, and the originals blocks were reclad in the 1990s.

The main buildings now include two 'blocks', Inspire and Innovate, with classrooms focussing on English, Maths, Science and Languages, 'Imagine' (a design, craft, food and ICT block), two dining halls attached to Inspire and Innovate (known as Inspire Cafe and Innovate Cafe respectively), 'Investigate' focussing on Humanities, the 'Learning Plaza', which is a mixture of a social area frequented by Years 9 to 11 (formerly the Social Block) equipped with computers, conferencing facilities. Additionally there is an Applied Learning Centre (formerly Music and Drama) where subjects such as construction and computer science are taught.

More recent additions to the school's architecture include the Advanced Learning Village (formerly Sixth Form Centre), built in 1996 to house A-Level students. It features a large seating area, small café and the Independent Learning Centre, a room for self-study with computers. There are also two small classrooms for Sixth Form specific subjects such as sociology, psychology and politics.

The Sporting Club, opened 12 February 2002, is another later addition to the site. Owned by Northumberland County Council and used by students for physical education, it houses a fitness suite, dance studio and tennis courts. There are also several fields (for football, rugby and cricket), a student-built cricket pavilion, and Astroturf suitable for play even during wet weather. There are also several large halls in other buildings suitable for indoor sports.

File:The Junior Learning Village Street.jpgThe most recent addition, completed in the summer of 2008, is the Junior Learning Village. The centre contains resources for teaching Years 7 and 8 after the council reforms of 11 September 2001 which moved the education system in Northumberland to the two-tier system after decades of using the three-tier system. Also contained within are resources for music and performing arts. The building is made up of other isolated 'blocks' called Enquire, Explore, Discover, Create, Communicate and Care. Other features of the JLV include its "Village" street, open science Learning Plaza, Knowledge Café, Pasta King and flexible learning spaces.

The school also uses a three-dimensional screen across the curriculum and the 'Biome' which was the result of a successful bid through the "Faraday" project designed to take the teaching of science into the 21st century. The building also has a multipurpose space called 'The Hub' which is used for assemblies, conferences, socialising at lunchtimes and hosting live shows and performances for music and drama/performing arts.

In August 2023, a consultation was released to temporarily increase the number of Year 7 places for September that year. It was then agreed to open two portacabin classrooms near the Investigate block to accommodate the extra pupils. These mobile classrooms will also be used for when the school is demolished to be rebuilt.{{Cite web |title=CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE TEMPORARILY THE NUMBER OF YEAR 7 PLACES – Cramlington Learning Village |url=https://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?p=7264 |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=23/02232/CCD {{!}} Temporary (max 2 years) single storey, double classroom building to aide teaching whilst the works to construct a new school will be undertaken {{!}} Land Within Cramlington Learning Village Cramlington Northumberland NE23 6BN |url=https://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=RWCBTTQSIG500 |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk}}

In July 2022, it was announced that the school had been selected as one of those to be rebuilt as part of the Department for Education's School Rebuilding Programme, though the extent of the development was yet to be decided.{{Cite web |title=School's Rebuilding Programme July 2022 – Cramlington Learning Village |url=https://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?p=7031 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=School rebuilding programme: third set of 61 schools |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-rebuilding-programme-2022-to-2023-approved-schools/school-rebuilding-programme-2022-to-2023-prioritised-schools |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

File:Cramlington Learning Village rebuild plans.jpg

In October 2024, DPP Planning revealed the plans for the construction of a new three-storey learning complex in the location of the existing car park and field. Bowmer + Kirkland is the appointed contractor for the project, where they will demolish all existing blocks apart from the newer additions of the Junior Learning Village and Sporting Club buildings. DPP Planning anticipate the construction will commence in the summer of 2025, and for students to move into the new block by 2027.{{Cite web |title=Cramlington Learning Village {{!}} DPP Consulting |url=https://dpp1.co.uk/cramlingtonlv/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=School Rebuilding Update – Cramlington Learning Village |url=https://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?p=7527 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk}}

The school is technology rich and has over 1500 PCsCramlington Learning Village. [http://www.slideshare.net/FrogTrade/cramlington-learning-village-presentation-from-frog12-13481767?qid=39bc9c50-c042-4f60-8802-e3456bafb5c2&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1 "Cramlington Learning Village Presentation from #frog12"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605052247/http://www.slideshare.net/FrogTrade/cramlington-learning-village-presentation-from-frog12-13481767?qid=39bc9c50-c042-4f60-8802-e3456bafb5c2&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1 |date=5 June 2014 }}, "SlideShare". Retrieved 1 June 2014 on site, with at least some in every classroom. Classrooms are also equipped with a teacher's PC, projector, interactive whiteboard and speakers. The school has its own monthly payment scheme for the provision of mobile devices to students.Cramlington Learning Village. [http://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?page_id=90 "Mobile Device Scheme"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529145510/http://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?page_id=90 |date=29 May 2014 }}, "Cramlington Learning Village". Retrieved 1 June 2014 Initially, a Samsung Galaxy tablet was offered. From September 2014 onwards, the scheme provided Chromebooks for Year 7s, before being opened to all year groups the following year.

File:TV Studio in the Junior Learning Village at CLV.JPG

In the late 1990s, the school began to develop its own Intranet, initially hosted subject-specific pages, but later also hosting online lesson plans for staff and student access. It has since implemented a Frog VLECramlington Learning Village. [http://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/?page_id=74 "Our VLE"], "Cramlington Learning Village". Retrieved 1 June 2014 (Virtual learning environment), offering access to timetables, attendance and punctuality, home learning facilities, school notices, a cashless catering provision and reward system. Parents are provided with their own access to the portal with specific information for their child.

'The Hub', a fully functional music venue, features a sound and lighting control systems and a 3D projection installation.

Further facilities include a recording studio, with two live rooms, and a TV studio, with green screen for chroma key. The studios have the capability to broadcast live across the school campus.

Most recently, the school was judged to be Good in an inspection published in May 2022.{{cite web |last=Ofsted Communications Team |date=2021-06-30 |title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare |url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk}}

It had previously been rated Good in an inspection published in February 2017. Having previously been rated Outstanding in four successive Ofsted ratings up until 2013, an inspection in July 2015, however, found the school to be Inadequate and placed it in Special Measures.{{cite web |last=Ofsted Communications Team |date=2022-06-07 |title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare |url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk}} The review proved controversial, being featured on the local television news on the evening of the report's publication.{{Cite news |date=2015-07-16 |title=Ofsted rates 'outstanding' Cramlington academy as failing |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-33533946 |access-date=2022-08-17}}{{Cite web |last=Luke |first=Adam |date=2015-07-17 |title=Teenagers defend Cramlington Village College after the academy was placed in special measures |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/teenagers-defend-cramlington-village-college-9682147 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Daniel |first=Brian |date=2015-09-28 |title=Cramlington Learning Village poised to axe six support staff after Ofsted criticism |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/cramlington-learning-village-poised-axe-10148133 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en}} A monitoring inspection, the report of which was published in October 2016, removed the Special Measures status, allowing the school to once again recruit newly qualified teachers.

{{unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}

• {{flagicon|USA}} – The school has a biennial exchange to Bettendorf, Iowa with Bettendorf High School.
• {{flagicon|Canada}} – In 2008, the school undertook a cultural and linguistical exchange with Polyvalente Hyacinthe-Delorme in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
• {{flagicon|Spain}} – Yearly exchange with an unknown school in Levante, Spain. Students swap places with other students.

{{unreferenced section|date=December 2021}}

File:The sound and lighting booth for The Hub.png

• High School Musical – March 2008
• Return to the Forbidden Planet – March 2009
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – March 2011
• We Will Rock You – March 2012
• CLV Christmas Spectacular – December 2012
• The Wizard of Oz – March 2013
• More Than Soulful Christmas – December 2013
• Our House – March 2014
• Now That's What I Call... CLV Xmas! – December 2014
• Footloose – March 2015
• Grease – March 2016
• A Disney Christmas – December 2016
• The Sound of Music – March 2017
• Billy Elliot – March 2018
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – March 2022
• We Will Rock You – March 2023
• Matilda Jr. - March 2024
• Aladdin - March 2025

{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2021}}

File:Ross Noble with CLV headmistress Wendy Heslop.jpg with Cramlington Learning Village headmistress Wendy Heslop, his former English teacher]]

• Ross Noble, stand-up comedian and actor. Voted the 10th-greatest stand-up comic{{when|date=December 2021}} on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/C/comedy_standups/results/results.html |title=100 Greatest Comedy Stand-ups |publisher=Channel 4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322170110/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/C/comedy_standups/results/results.html |date=2007 |archive-date=22 March 2007 |access-date=5 October 2021 }}
• Mark Clattenburg, football referee who refereed the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final and UEFA Euro 2016 Final
• Graeme Owens, former footballer who played for Middlesbrough
• James Brown, former footballer with Hartlepool United
• Stephen Miller, gold medal-winning British paralympics athlete
• Martin Brittain, former Newcastle United footballer
• Martin Taylor, footballer who played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City
• Alex Nicholson, footballer who plays for Gateshead

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.cramlingtonlv.co.uk/ Cramlington Learning Village website]

{{Schools in Northumberland}}

{{Alt text missing}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Educational institutions established in 1969

Category:Academies in Northumberland

Category:1969 establishments in England

Category:Secondary schools in Northumberland

Category:Cramlington