In the news this month...

Local News Stories

Sedgefield dad reaches for the stars

A Sedgefield dad living with advanced cancer has achieved a dream by publishing a children’s book, years after doctors predicted that he would die. James Smith is a new author who wants to inspire imagination, while leaving a lasting legacy for his wife and daughter. James has now published his first book, three years after medical professionals expected him to die.

After being diagnosed with cancer, James Smith wasn't expected to see his 43rd birthday, but last week turned 46.

In ‘Beyond the Stars’, James asks readers if they have ever wondered what it would be like to explore deepest, darkest space. The central character Orbi (Or-bee) sets out on an adventure to the edge of the universe to find everything from familiar planets and stars to unbelievable cosmic mysteries. Young readers have the opportunity to learn fun facts along the way.

James comments: “I'm so proud of this book and my emotions are a little bit all over the place at the moment. Obviously I'd like Beyond the Stars to do well, but nothing will beat the feeling of reading it to my daughter Ida at bedtime. She loves it - there's no better feeling in the world than being a dad.

We'll just have to make the most of it, because no one can say how many birthdays I've got left.” Beyond the Stars is now available in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon (search for 'Beyond the Stars book').

Geoff Receives British Empire Medal

As reported in the August edition of Sedgefield News, Geoff Hill was named in the King's Birthday Honours. He recently received his medal from the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Mike Butterwick CBE, assisted by the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Amanda Hopgood, at a special presentation ceremony.

Reflecting on the occasion, Geoff said: “It was a brilliant day for me and my family.”

Congratulations to Geoff on this well-deserved honour and recognition of his long-standing commitment to safeguarding and sharing the area's aviation heritage.

Schoolchildren Join Big Autumn Clean

More than 30 pupils and staff from Sedgefield Primary School joined Sedgefield Ploggers to help tidy the village centre as part of County Durham’s Big Autumn Clean.

Plogging, which combines litter picking with exercise, has been a regular community activity in Sedgefield since the group was founded in 2018. Year 5 pupils took part in the clean-up alongside experienced young ploggers from other year groups, collecting an impressive amount of litter around the village. Chris Lines of Sedgefield Ploggers said it was "brilliant" to work with the school and praised the children's enthusiasm and community spirit.

Head teacher Leanne Collings said the event gave pupils the chance to make a positive contribution to the community while supporting both environmental awareness and their own wellbeing.

For more information, visit the Sedgefield Ploggers Facebook page.

Homework Help

Homework Help feels that education is an opportunity to invest in oneself and one's future. If you're a student/pupil and you'd like a hand understanding your homework or lessons, contact us: homework@sedgefielddevelopmenttrust.co.uk - also if you are someone who could spare an hour a week to share your knowledge and understanding with a student.
You don't have to be a trained teacher.
All volunteers are DBS checked.

Christmas tree collection

Following this year’s success, Bloomers will once again be organising a collection of Christmas trees next year. This will take place on Saturday 9 January 2027. Anyone who would like to use this service can easily get in touch.

Simply contact Phil Hogg treasurersib25@gmail.com or on 07940504486. For a donation of £5, we will collect it from you and recycle it.

All the monies raised will go directly towards funds to enable us to keep Sedgefield blooming.
Melissa Hill

Ever wondered what bellringing is all about?

Bell-ringing is fun, rewarding and suitable for all ages.

It's a great way to make friends, work as a team, and enjoy a mentally and physically stimulating hobby.

St Edmund’s Bellringers invite you to a free demonstration and taster session: Sunday 1 November, 10am-12 noon. Come for a cuppa, meet the ringers and have a go. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, contact Janet Tiplady on 07539 260054 or email sedgefieldbelltower@gmail.com.

A round up from the Schools

Sedgefield Students Win Ducati STEM Challenge

We were delighted to recently find out that a team from Sedgefield Community College had won the ‘Build the Villain’s Machine’ competition: a competition created by the North East STEM foundation working in partnership with Ducati UK.

Our team of students were tasked with reimagining a Ducati motorcycle in order to create the ultimate ‘villain’s machine’ and were announced as winners at an awards dinner that took place at Dalton Old Pump House in Seaham.

Teams from across the region took part in the competition and it was a wonderful achievement to be judged as having presented the strongest entry. In addition to being invited to the awards dinner, the winning team of students will also win an exclusive Ducati & Silverstone Performance Experience, taking part in a visit to Silverstone and the Ducati UK headquarters.

Mrs Lennox, the school’s Subject Leader for Design Technology explained, “Our students really embraced the challenge and put a huge amount of thought and effort into their ideas. Experiences like this bring the subject to life and show young people the opportunities STEM subjects can open up.”

Well done to all of the winning team and it is fantastic that the creativity and innovative thinking of our students was recognised in this way!

Ex-Pupil Returns as a Qualified Teacher

From a high-achieving pupil to an inspiring teacher, Ned Hampson has come full circle by returning to Sedgefield Primary School.

Sedgefield Primary School is delighted to welcome back former pupil Ned Hampson, who has returned to the school as a qualified teacher. Now embarking on his career as an Early Career Teacher (ECT), Ned is gaining valuable experience teaching pupils across the full primary age range, from Nursery through to Year 6.

Having once walked the school's corridors as a pupil himself, Ned is now helping to shape the learning experiences and futures of the next generation. His return is a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact a school can have and of the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for its pupils.

Ned attended Sedgefield Primary School before continuing his education at Sedgefield Community College. He remains an active member of the Sedgefield community and is also involved with Sedgefield Cricket Club, making his return to the school particularly special.

Some members of our experienced staff even remember teaching Ned when he was a pupil here just over a decade ago. It is a proud moment to see a former pupil return, having achieved so much, to begin his own teaching journey.

We are incredibly proud to see Ned return to where his educational journey began. His story is an inspiring example of how today's pupils can become tomorrow's professionals, role models and educators, and demonstrates the positive impact that education can have within a community.

Running Away with Success

Sedgefield Hardwick Primary Academy is celebrating an outstanding set of sporting results after our young athletes excelled in recent Go Well competitions.

The school’s cross country runners enjoyed a fantastic afternoon at the Go Well Cross Country Competition, held at Ferryhill School on Friday 2 October. Pupils from Years 3 to 6 represented the academy superbly, demonstrating determination, resilience and fantastic team spirit throughout the competition.

The Year 5/6 girls’ team produced a brilliant performance to secure 2nd place overall, while the Year 5/6 boys’ team went one better, taking 1st place, with Sedgefield Hardwick runners also securing exceptional individual finishes in 1st and 2nd place. There was further success for the younger runners, with the Year 3/4 girls’ team finishing in 1st place.

In a remarkable display, Sedgefield Hardwick pupils took 1st, 2nd and 3rd places individually, setting a record for the best team finish by any team in the competition.

The fantastic performances also mean that many of Sedgefield Hardwick’s teams have qualified for the County Finals later in the year, where they will have the opportunity to represent the school once again and compete against some of the best young runners from across the county.

Success has not been limited to cross country, with the academy’s footballers also enjoying an excellent start to the sporting year. The Sedgefield Hardwick A Team were crowned winners of the Go Well Football League, finishing top of the table on goal difference after a closely contested campaign.

The school’s B Team also represented the academy brilliantly, securing a respectable midtable finish and gaining valuable competitive experience along the way.