Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

This week, like every week, much of our focus has been on the importance of attendance in school. On a practical level, all families should have received a letter about the specifics of the attendance process here in this school from Mr Ward, Assistant Headteacher. This information is focused on three simple concepts for students, stressing to them that here at Framwellgate is:

  • Where you are known
  • Where you are valued
  • Where you belong

Being known and valued is one of our key school principles and forms a central part of our ethos. We want all our students to feel that they are cherished for who they are as individuals, celebrated for the great things they can do and supported to master those areas they find difficult. This can take the form of being greeted by name on the gate each morning, being rewarded in assembly, being offered additional support in a subject they’re finding difficult, and countless other ways. We’re a big school, but one where these aspects really give a sense of community to everyone here.

It’s not difficult in the national press to pick up on stories about students who find attending school difficult. The reasons given are varied. For some it relates to their mental health, others, their responsibilities like being the carer for an adult at home, mean that school can take a back seat, and some children look around and only see insecure work and the failure of education to change that for anyone they have known for generations. In addition to these deep-rooted challenges to attendance, the reality is that students also get ill. We know and understand all these things, but it doesn’t change some key realities. Students with a strong attendance record perform better in exams. For example, Year 11 students who miss just 10 days of that academic year reduced their likelihood of achieving grade 5, a strong pass, in English and Maths by around 50%. Such a student would still have an attendance record of 90-95%, which on the surface might feel enough, but means these students are limiting their prospects. In addition, lots of the support we offer students takes place here in school, as do all the other things we want students to learn and enjoy beyond the academic. Students not in school can’t access pastoral care or careers guidance, they can’t develop meaningful friendships and they can’t learn the social skills to navigate a complex world.

We ask parents and carers to help us support attendance in the following ways:

  • Help your child feel they belong

Our values here ensure that students are known and valued. You can reinforce this by talking positively about school, encouraging participation in enrichment activities, clubs and trips, and joining us in celebrating their achievements, both academic and personal.

  • Understand the opportunities attendance unlocks

When students attend regularly, they gain access to career guidance and work placements, extracurricular clubs like STEM, arts, sports and Duke of Edinburgh, pastoral and wellbeing support from dedicated staff, and can attend trips and experiences that broaden horizons, such as Spain, Italy and beyond.

Encourage your child to explore these opportunities and remind them that being present is the first step.

  • Build positive habits at home

Support your child in developing punctuality with consistent morning routines, responsibility by helping them prepare for school the night before, and resilience by talking through challenges and encouraging problem-solving. These habits not only improve attendance but also prepare them for life beyond school.

  • Stay connected with the school

Reach out early if your child is struggling with attendance or punctuality. Contact the school for support and guidance.

  • Avoid unnecessary absences

Where possible, please book appointments outside of school hours, avoid term-time holidays and keep the school informed of any issues that may affect attendance.

  • Encourage engagement beyond the classroom

We offer STEM clubs, language trips, music ensembles, sports teams, and more. These activities help students build friendships, discover passions and develop life skills. Support your child in finding what excites them — it makes school a place they want to be.

As a final note, we do recognise that the vast majority of families already do these things and we also recognise that while I’m writing about attendance in the broad sense, on an individual level, if your child is struggling to maintain a strong attendance record, then these simple tips can feel overly simplistic when the truth of the matter can be very complex. However, the more we work together as a community on this, the more your children, our students, will not only feel happy and secure while here, but also the more likely it is that they’ll have the foundations for a happy and successful future.

Many thanks for your continued support of the school; I hope you all have a good weekend.  

Michael Wright

Headteacher

Please find this week's key messages below.

Year 6 Open Evening - Thanks

A massive thank you to all students who gave up their time on Monday evening to help show people around the school. I received multiple comments of praise over the course of the evening and in follow-up emails afterwards.

School History

Last week I wrote about the fact that I didn’t have access to details about the school's history. Can I thank the people who contacted me with information, including a copy of a book published in 1977 to mark 100 years of the school, a great resource.

This Half Term

The school for some years has closed for two days prior to the October half term. This year we will be closed to students only on the Friday of the final week, meaning the last day in school for students will be Thursday 23rd October. There was an error on our website which means families may have thought we were open to students on that Friday. I apologies for any confusion caused.

6th Form Update

It has been wonderful to welcome back our Year 13 students. We've been incredibly impressed with their proactive approach to their UCAS applications and other Post-18 plans, which include degree apprenticeships, employment and volunteering abroad. Mrs Moss, our Careers Guidance Manager, is in the process of meeting with each student individually to support them with their applications and future plans. 84% of this year's cohort are applying to university, with applications currently being written for a wide range of courses including law, economics, physiotherapy, psychology, history and politics and early years education.  We wish them all the very best of luck with their applications; it is always just as exciting for us as it is for them when the offers start to come in!

We are of course busy getting to know our new Year 12 students, who have adapted quickly to life in the 6th Form and risen to the challenges of their Key Stage 5 studies. They are already impressing us with their enthusiasm and positivity.  Last week they made their enrichment choices, with students signing up to options including the Sports Leaders Award, peer mentoring and supporting in the running of clubs and activities in the lower school. As well as contributing to the wider school community, we have no doubt that they will be outstanding role models for our younger students.

It is also great to see so many of our 6th Formers making the most of opportunities beyond their immediate studies: some of our Year 13 students completed work experience placements over the summer, including our Student President, Georgia, who worked at J.P. Morgan in London; several of our Year 12 science students are embarking on a research project with Durham University, and our new EPQ students will soon be deciding upon their topic of interest for their extended project.

Finally, we would like to wish our most recent alumni the very best of luck as they prepare to leave for universities across the country. We are so grateful that some of them have popped in to see us before they go. We know they are going to thrive in their new environments, and we can't wait for them to come back and tell us - and our current sixth formers - all about their experiences.

Mrs King, Head of 6th Form

Year 7 Parent/Carer Information Evening Thursday 25th September 5.30pm Venue: Main Hall

Presentations throughout the evening will include a welcome from Mr Wright, an outline of rewards and school culture, how Class Charts can support your child's learning, independent learning expectations and the culture of reading.  We would ask that, if possible, students do not accompany parents/carers due to the capacity of the Main Hall.

Year 10 Parent/Carer Information Evening Thursday 2nd October 5.00pm Venue: Main Hall

Presentations throughout the evening will include helping and supporting your child with their GCSEs and looking ahead at work experience and careers advice.  The curriculum leaders of Maths, English and Science will also speak on the curriculum within their subjects.

Year 11 Parent/Carer Information Evening Thursday 2nd October 6.00pm Venue: Main Hall

Presentations throughout the evening will include helping and supporting your child in their final year of the GCSEs and looking ahead at Post-16 choices.  The curriculum leaders of Maths, English and Science will also speak on the curriculum within their subjects.

Safeguarding 

We have a dedicated Safeguarding Team in school who can help and support parents and carers,  as well as students if you have any worries or concerns. All of our Heads of Year and Pastoral Managers are Designated Safeguarding Leads, but we thought it would be useful to provide you with details of First Contact - 03000267979 should you wish to discuss any concerns with them also. 

Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding