The 1960s brought with them some interesting times in terms of educational changes.

Within four years of opening, increased enrolments in local schools made it necessary to reduce the size of the original intake area for the School.

Current thinking was away from the selective system, in favour of local comprehensive schools and the change at Jesmond was made in this direction.

From the beginning of 1960 the whole first year intake came from Jesmond, Heaton, Shortland and Lambton schools. (After 1962, Lambton too, was excluded from the intake area.)

The school developed its identity and students were involved in a range of activities and learning.

Sport was always an important part of the Jesmond culture.

Courses in French and Latin were introduced, the range of all subjects was extended to Leaving Certificate level and in 1960 the name of the School was changed to Jesmond High School.

Nine students sat for the first Leaving Certificate Examination at the School which was held in 1962.

The Wyndham Scheme became a reality, which meant that the Intermediate Certificate (at Third Year) and the Leaving Certificate (at Fifth Year) were phased out and replaced with a School Certificate and an extra year of school to attain a Higher School Certificate.

The first School Certificate was undertaken by students in 1965; the same year in which the last full class sat for the Leaving Certificate. The first Higher School Certificate was administered in 1967.

By 1966 there were 800 students at the School and new buildings were needed to accommodate them. C Block was officially opened on the 9th June, 1967.

An approach to the School from the Area Director of Education resulted in the decision to locate a unit for partially sighted students at the School. The caring nature of the student population was cited as one of the most important reasons for the unit’s location at Jesmond. The Partially Sighted Unit was a purpose-built structure and Jesmond was the only High School outside the metropolitan area to have such a facility.

1965 saw the end of the Algie era at the school and in 1967 the long serving Deputy, Ted Murphy, retired.

The new Principal, Mr. Magennis, was certainly the man for the times - arriving at the time of the first Higher School Certificate, he showed an amazing understanding of how best to mange students who were older, but perhaps not always wiser.

Unmistakably though, the friendship and spirit that has always been the core of the Jesmond culture flourished during these times.