Hetton-le-Hole and its surrounding area has a proud cricketing tradition. Local clubs such as Eppleton Cricket Club and Hetton Lyons have successful junior teams competing in the Durham Cricket League (North-East Premier League) and both have strong youth development set-ups. Many of the former players of these clubs have progressed onto the books of Durham County Cricket Club, County Champions in 2008, 2009 and 2013 and located just 5 miles away. This area is indeed a ‘hotbed’ of cricket.

At Hetton School, we pride ourselves in our sporting achievements. At the top of this are our young cricketers. In the past two years our school teams have won the County Cup, the Sunderland Inter City Cup and reached several finals. This is credit to the skill and commitment of our own staff who have coached and supported our students to such cricketing success.

Many of the ex-students of Hetton School have progressed to represent Durham and England at a range of levels including first class representation. These include Ryan Pringle, Graeme Welch and last year, Ben Whitehead.

We believe that it is now time to join up our thinking. Working together in partnership with Durham Cricket Board, Hetton Lyons Cricket Club and Eppleton Cricket Club, we are proud to announce the arrival of the Hetton School Cricket Academy.

Proposal

Commencing in September 2014, we will be recruiting young cricketers (boys and girls) across 4 year groups who wish to be an apprentice of the Hetton School Cricket Academy. At the same time, they will be starting in Year 7, 8, 9 or 10 at Hetton School. Some of these may be current Hetton School students but others may have previously been attending another school and wish to attend Hetton School in order to benefit from our Cricket Academy.

We will build a personalised curriculum around the coaching needs of our young cricketers. All students will follow the national curriculum at both Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) but will be able to access the equivalent of a day and a half of coaching and cricket development each week. Coaching will be provided by Durham Cricket Board coaches and school staff and may take place in a number of venues including local cricket clubs and at Hetton School itself.

At Key Stage 3, it is essential that all students make academic progress so that at Key Stage 4 all students achieve well and leave with excellent GCSE grades. Hetton School achieves GSCE results that are well above national averages with 94% of students gaining at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C and 64% of students gaining at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C including English and Maths in 2013.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to become an apprentice at the Hetton School Cricket Academy, you must

Already play representative cricket for a club and be nominated for the league based course
Pass a rigorous one day trial run by qualified coaches
Have an interview with the Headteacher (with parents or carers present)
Promise equal commitment to academic study and cricket development
Have an excellent attendance and behaviour record
Commit to play for Hetton School cricket teams
Application process

Applications are accepted at any time during the 2013-14 academic year for a September 2014 start.

If you are already a student of Hetton School, you must complete the Application Form for the Hetton School Cricket Academy.

If you are currently Year 7, 8 or 9 and attending another school you must also complete a School Transfer Form.

If you are currently in Year 6 and attending a Primary School, you must log-on to www.sunderland.gov.uk/admissionsonline and you will find the online application form.

The Hetton School Cricket Academy is accessible for both boys and girls and hardship grants are available to students for whom the purchase of equipment might be difficult.

Further information

If you wish to find out more or visit us, please contact Mr D. Hardman (Cricket Academy Leader) at Hetton School on 0191553 6756 or by email to hetton.school@sunderland.gov.uk