Egglescliffe School

Egglescliffe School is a large mixed comprehensive school and sixth form in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham for students aged 11 to 18.HistoryBeginning as a small rural secondary school of 200 pupils in 1962, Egglescliffe became a comprehensive in the 1970s, gradually growing to its current size of over 1400 pupils, including sixth formers. There have been five headteachers since it opened: Mr. Frank Davison, Mr. Alan Basset, Mr. David Oliver, Mrs. Angela Darnell and Mr. Simon White.A specialist theatre was built to host the many Drama and Theatre productions throughout the school year. It is also home to Egglescliffe Youth Theatre, launched in its present form in September 1986, now one of the longest-running Theatre groups in the country. It holds weekly sessions and yearly summer productions.Academic achievementsIn 1999, Egglescliffe was awarded Specialist Status and designated an Arts College specialising in music and drama, since then refurbishment of the music block has transformed the interior structure of the department. Its Music Department has a longstanding reputation for performance work.Anthony GearsFrom 1999 until his death on 25 June 2010, it was under the direction of Anthony Gears, joined by a team of six, teaching drama and theatre. He was succeeded as Director of Performing Arts by Harmony Gibson, his daughter.