I am delighted to be able to welcome you to the Link School and introduce myself as the Head Teacher. The Link School is an alternative learning provider working with young learners and their families across the City of Sunderland. There are two sites; The Link School, Springwell Dene which works with learners across Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 and The Link School, Pallion, which provides education for learners at Key Stage 4.
2018-2019 was another fantastic year for Link School which saw us officially become one all through school. We successful formally joined with the KS1 PRU and moved from Tudor Grove to our fantastically refurbished site at Springwell Dene which hosts some excellent new facilities for all of our pupils.
In addition, we retained our Inclusion Quality Mark and Anti-Bullying Platinum Award whilst also achieved the Investors in Careers Award and the Mental Health Chartermark (Bronze level). This demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our young people are at the heart of what we do.
The GCSE results for this year have also shown continuous improvement with 88% of pupils achieving a GCSE English qualification and 84% of pupils achieving a GCSE Maths qualification. We have increased the number of pupils who have left the school with five or more GCSE qualifications.
I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to take over the leadership of the Link School. My priority as Head Teacher is to ensure the Link School continues to grow on its journey to becoming outstanding. This can only happen with you and your support. Being a mum of two girls, I am very much aware of the importance of family and I really do believe you and your children, as part of our link school family have the strength and passion to ensure that this happens together.
As the Head teacher of the school, I am looking forward to getting to know you and your children over the coming months whilst ensuring children are safe, happy and achieving well whilst they are in our care.
Donna Walker
Link School Tudor Grove Ofsted report 2018 .PDF
We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Link School, at our Springwell Dene Site. This has affected our KS1 bubble.
Read moreWe have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Link School, at our Springwell Dene Site. This has affected our KS2 Class 2 bubble.
Read moreThere has been a positive Covid-19 case confirmed over the weekend at our Springwell Dene site. To ensure that we continue to provide a safe environment for all pupils and staff, the Springwell Dene site will be closed on Monday 11th January 2021
Read moreDear Parents/Carers,
We are working to keep our school as safe as possible. You may have heard that testing for those without coronavirus symptoms is beginning across the country using new, quicker COVID-19 tests known as ‘lateral flow tests’.
Read moreDear Parent/ Carer
Further to my letter on the 18th December, we have received additional guidance from the Department for Education around the school based coronavirus testing programme over the Christmas holidays, I am writing to inform you that school will now be closed to all pupils on Monday 4th January
Dear parent's/carer's
As you may have seen in the news yesterday afternoon, the government has announced that secondary school pupils will return to school on a staggered basis on the first week of the Spring Term.
Mindfulness phone call appointments - Beginning Tuesday 5th January
During remote learning
9am – 3pm
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope that you and your families continue to be safe and well, in the current Tier 3 situation. After a long and challenging Autumn Term I would firstly like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your understanding and support during this time, it means a lot to us.
Read moreDue to our continued high levels of staff absence, our Pallion site will be closed and not re-open to all pupils (except 10A) on Monday 23rd November 2020. 10A will return to school on Wednesday 25th November 2020.
Read moreA guide for Pupils and Parents/Carer's about their return to school in September 2020
Read moreHere you will be able to find out about local providers and organisations that offer education, training and employability courses to help you to gain the skills, qualifications and experience required to help you move forward in your career and find employment.
Read moreTogether for Children recognise The Link School Sunderland have been working hard to support their pupil’s families during this difficult time.
Read moreLink School Springwell Dene
Swindon Road, Springwell, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR3 4EE
Tel: 0191 561 5777
Email: caroline.granton@schools.sunderland.gov.uk
Link School Pallion
Waverley Terrace, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear SR4 6TA
Tel: 0191 561 4777
Email: anita.blakeman@schools.sunderland.gov.uk