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 2005…
London wins bid for 2012 Olympics
On 6th July, London wins the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Seeing off Paris by 54 votes to 50 in the final round, the English capital becomes the first city to host the Games for a third time.
YouTube founded
YouTube, a global video-sharing website, is founded by three former PayPal employees in California on 14th February. As of January 2016, the highest-viewed video on the website was Psy – Gangnam Style with 2.49 billion views.
Commencement of Civil Partnership Act 2004
Passed the previous November, the Civil Partnership Act 2004 comes into force on 5th December. The first couples are allowed to form civil partnerships 15 days later.
Is This the Way to Amarillo?
Tony Christie’s 1977 hit Amarillo is re-released by Tony and comedian Peter Kay on 14th March to raise money for Comic Relief. The single would take the top spot for seven weeks, and become 2005’s biggest-selling single and the third biggest-selling single of the 2000s in the UK.
Batman begins
Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins is released on 16th June. With an all-star cast including Christian Bale as Batman, the film would be regarded as one of the best super-hero films of the decade. In November 2008, Empire ranked the film 81st in its 500 Greatest Movies of All Time list.
Blair third term
The Labour Party under Tony Blair win their third consecutive victory in the general election on 5th May. Despite this, Blair would resign his position just over two years later.
You’re Beautiful
You’re Beautiful, English singer-songwriter James Blunt’s third single from his debut album Back to Bedlam is released on 30th May. It would go on to be the 39th biggest-selling single of the decade, and the first single by a British artist to reach number one in the USA since Elton John’s Candle in the Wind in 1997.
SSAT class of 2005
Schools to have joined SSAT in 2005, and still be part of the SSAT network, include:
- Bingley Grammar School
- Unity City Academy
- Moreton Community School
- Stockley Academy
- The Harefield Academy
- Grace Academy, Solihull
- Trinity Academy
- Westminster Academy
- Byrchall High School
- Formby High School
- Lambeth Academy
- Bradley Stoke Community School
- De La Salle School
- St Bernard’s High School
- Colton Hills Community School
- St Francis Xavier’s College
- Cardinal Hume Catholic School
- Kingsford Community School
- Greig City Academy
- The Norton Knatchbull School
- Central Foundation Girls’ School
- John Madejski Academy
- Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School & Language College
- St Andrew’s CofE High School for Boys
- Slough and Eton CofE Business and Enterprise College
- David Young Community Academy
- Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School
- The Petchey Academy
- Hellesdon High School
