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 2009…
Obama inaugurated as president
Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on 20th January. He is the first African American president, the first non-white president, the first president born in Hawaii, and the sixteenth Democratic president to take office in the White House.
Long live the King of Pop
On 25th June Michael Jackson falls unconscious while lying in bed at his Los Angeles mansion, and is pronounced dead just over two hours later.
Swine flu pandemic
In late April the World Health Organisation declares its first ever “public health emergency of international concern” after failed attempts to prevent the global spread of swine flu.
Avatar released
James Cameron’s science fiction blockbuster Avatar is released on 17th December. Fifteen years in the making, the film becomes the first to gross more than $2 billion and goes on to be nominated for nine Academy Awards. Cameron announces in April 2016 that there are plans for four sequels, with the first to be released in 2018.
Hudson River plane landing
Capt. Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew are hailed as heroes as they guide US Airways Flight 1549 to an emergency landing on the middle of the Hudson River, New York City. After both engines are disabled by multiple bird strikes, all 155 on board survive. The incident would come to be known as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’.
Icelandic financial crisis
Public protests against the Icelandic Central Bank and Parliament rock the country on 20th January. Protesters and police clash after what is seen as a lack of responsibility by the government before and after the financial crisis.
Paparazzi released
The fifth single from Lady Gaga’s debut album The Fame, Paparazzi is released on 6th July. It would become Gaga’s fourth song to top the three-million units sold mark, and would be certified three-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
SSAT class of 2009
Schools to have joined SSAT in 2009, and still be part of the network, include:
- Francis Combe Academy
- Parkwood E-ACT Academy
- The Littlehampton Academy
- Essa Academy
- Appleton Academy
- Nottingham Academy
- Manchester Enterprise Academy
- Dixons Allerton Academy
- Midhurst Rother College
- Oasis Academy Hadley
- Sidney Stringer Academy (Sidney Stringer Multi Academy Trust)
- The JCB Academy
- Bolton St Catherine’s Academy
- Strood Academy
- Shirebrook Academy
- St Chads Catholic and Church of England High School
- North Birmingham Academy
- Grace Academy Darlaston
- All Saints Academy
- Skinners’ Academy
- Tudor Grange Academy, Worcester
- University of Chester Church of England Academy
- Kettering Buccleuch Academy
- Charter Academy
- The East Manchester Academy
- Manchester Communication Academy
- Ormiston Park Academy
- Kettering Science Academy
- Stanley Park High School
- Brighton Aldridge Community Academy
- Harris Academy Purley
- Sirius Academy
- King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy
- Skinners’ Kent Academy
- Oasis Academy Shirley Park
- City Academy Norwich
- Maltby Academy
- The Ridings’ Federation Winterbourne International Academy
- Rosedale College
- South Wolverhampton & Bilston Academy
- Abbotsfield School
- Park Hall Academy
- Bedford Academy
- Northumberland Church of England Academy
- Furness Academy
- The Crest Academies
- The Duston School
- Trinity Academy Halifax
- The Oldham Academy North
- Irlam & Cadishead College
- St Aldhelm’s Academy
- Drapers’ Academy
- Taunton Academy
- The Co-operative Academy of Stoke-on-Trent
- The Bishop of Winchester Academy
- All Saints Church of England Academy Plymouth
- Hammersmith Academy
- Freebrough Academy
