Welcome to the SSAT class of… series. We’re looking back at the past 27 years and paying tribute to some of our longest-serving member schools. We hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane and feel free to add your own memories in the comments below or via social media (remember to use #SSATClassOf)!
The year that was 1996…
Discovery at Alexandria
French underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio discovers Alexandria’s city quarters – previously lost for more than 1,000 years. Goddio would go on to present his first complete map of the sunken quarters in April 2001.
Royal divorce
After years of uncertainty, Princess Diana and the Prince of Wales formally divorce on 28th August.
Dolly the sheep
Dolly the sheep – the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell – is born on 5th July. Named after Dolly Parton, she would have six lambs before passing away in February 2003.
Hill wins world championship
Williams’ English driver Damon Hill is crowned Formula One World Champion after finishing the season 19 points ahead of Jacques Villeneuve – his Canadian teammate. Hill is the first Briton to win the title since Nigel Mansell four years earlier.
Independence Day
Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman, Independence Day is released on 2nd July. It becomes the year’s highest-grossing film, and the second-highest-grossing film of all time at that point. It would go on to win an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Girl power
Spice, the debut album of British girl group the Spice Girls, is released on 19th September. It would go on to become 1997’s top-selling album worldwide and the biggest-selling album in music history by a girl group.
Gazza vs Scotland
On 15th June, England’s Paul Gascoigne provides one of the all-time iconic moments of the England national team. After flicking the ball with his left foot over the head of Scotland’s Colin Hendry, Gascoigne meets the ball with his right foot and hammers a volley past Andy Goram. The infamous ‘dentist’s chair’ celebration followed, and another chapter in Gazza’s career had been written.
SSAT class of 1996
Schools to have joined SSAT in 1996, and still be part of the SSAT network, include:
- St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy
- Great Yarmouth (VA) High School
- Selly Park Technology College for Girls
- The Hermitage Academy
- Torquay Boys’ Grammar School
- Weaverham High School
- Alsop High School
- St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy
- Priory Community School
- Hartsdown Academy
- Guiseley School
- St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
- Melksham Oak Community School
- Montgomery High School
- Carlton le Willows Academy
- Chosen Hill School.
