A SCHOOL has secured £228,000 to make changes to try and help its students achieve more.

The money will go to Wyvern Academy, in Darlington as part of the Department for Education's Opportunity North East (One) Vision initiative, aimed at improving attainment in North-East schools.

The £24m was launched in 2018.

At Wyvern, six people have been appointed to tackle keys areas, including new deputy headteacher Simon Chalk, IT curriculum leader Chris Holden, attendance and family welfare officer Izzy Brown, special educational needs and disabilities co-ordinator Kris Marley, exams, data and timetable manager Carole Moran and behaviour support officer Adrian Crumpton.

Headteacher Julian Leader said: “At Wyvern Academy every child does matter and we work hard to achieve excellence for all, day in day out, whether that is in academic studies, sport, music or through our pastoral care and to provide the widest possible opportunities to secure a truly rounded education.

“For every child to achieve their full potential they need a positive, supportive and well-disciplined environment in which to work. We are able to provide this by focusing on our key drivers of excellence and opportunity. This ensures that high quality teaching is supported by disruption‐free learning in an atmosphere of high expectations and high aspirations.”

As deputy headteacher, Mr Chalk will try to create a culture in which students can excel in their studies while accessing activities like music, sport, drama, art and work experience.

“One size doesn’t fit all, children have varying and different abilities and it is up to us to help them discover and develop their skills,” he said.

“As we look to see what skills they will need in life we will also ensure we have great links with the next stage of their development, such as in further education at Darlington College, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College or apprenticeships."