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Dear Parents, Carers and Families,
This week's update comes not from me but from some of our new Year 7 students. We asked some of them to reflect on their first half term here as it draws to a close. At first, I asked three of the students who’d spoken at the Year 6 Open Evening, but then it was felt we should broaden this to include the views of more of the year group. You can find their comments below. I think it provides a useful insight into what it’s like starting at a secondary school aged 11, an experience that has many universal features but also is very personal for every child as they learn how to negotiate the next steps in not just their education but their adult life. Reading the comments has been a highlight of my week, and I’d like to thank every child for their insights.
This is the last update from me for this half term as we’re closed to students on Friday 24th October. The term restarts on Monday 3rd November for all students at the usual time.
Many thanks for your continued support of the school; I hope you all have a good weekend and indeed a good holiday when it comes.
Michael Wright
Headteacher
Year 7 comments below with the questions in bold.
What have you enjoyed most since starting at this school in September?
Making new friends. (This was the most popular type of response by far)
The thing I love about our school is that there are loads of after-school clubs to choose from. I also love the fact I have met loads of new people and made new friends. The teachers are also very nice and helpful.
I like how every lesson brings something new and interesting and learning something new every single day in every lesson.
I really love how nice the teachers and most of the students are at Fram. And of course, drama and computer science.
I've enjoyed Fram because I've found new friends, I've found my way around the school and after-school clubs. I've enjoyed trying new lessons and meeting new teachers. I'm not sure why I was worried because I'm having a great time.
The thing I have most enjoyed since I have been here at Fram would be learning about table tennis. I had always wanted to learn how to play it but never had the chance to until I came here.
I have enjoyed learning how to get around the large school site and getting into some of the clubs and doing things with my friends in my year. I also like to play games with my friends from other years like football, one bounce and just having a chat about the things that we have done on that day.
Robotics club because I get to engineer and improve my robot, history because we got to talk about battle strategy, science because we got to use fire, talk about potatoes and ducks, and freedom, responsibilities and self-worth.
What has been your favourite lesson? Why?
Science because I find it fun.
Art because I have always just liked art and I do like to think that I am very good at it.
I like computer science because I like working on computers and finding out different ways to use them.
I can't really pick favorites because I like them all equally, they are all fun and engaging because I learn things I didn't know.
Drama because I'm able to have fun as long as I'm sensible.
P.E. because p.e. has been real fun and I really enjoyed handball and learnt some great things that really helped me to improve.
Geography has been my favorite lesson as the teacher is really sweet, and I have always found geography interesting. Also specifically in geography, we are doing Africa which I love, as for an example it is rich in many ways like its climate, its wildlife, and also economy.
Tech because I like designing things and making them.
Maths, english and science because the teachers help me and I enjoy it a lot.
What extra-curricular clubs have you taken part in, if any, and what have you enjoyed about them?
I've started chess club, it’s been a joy to be there.
I have taken part in netball after school with Miss Love on a Tuesday. It is really fun because I like playing with my friends.
Uno club because I wanted to try something new.
Netball. I enjoy it because I’ve never played for a team or a sport before and everyone’s nice and it’s really fun.
I have taken part in art club and I like how you can draw or create anything you like.
I am in the school football team and I have a very good time in the football team.
I have been doing volleyball and science club. I find volleyball really fun and I didn't expect to as I'm not very sporty but it was really fun to join in. For science club, I wasn't going to do it but when I read all the exciting stuff we would do, I decided to go which I'm so glad I did as it’s so fun, we get to use microscopes and we made marble runs out of plastic, cardboard and more.
I have taken part in: Monday VEX Robotics club at lunch, Tuesday chess club at lunch, Tuesday science club after school, I am about to have my first day at Wednesday book club at lunch, Wednesday VEX Robotics after school, Thursday ? (I do something at lunchtime but I can't remember what), every Week 1 rotation Friday drama club, every Week 2 rotation Friday VEX Robotics club. I do this because I enjoy having things to do and I really enjoy all of these activities/topics.
What one piece of advice would you give to someone else who was starting at the school?
My first few weeks at Fram have been good and my tip is not to worry, it will be ok.
Listen to the teachers and make friends.
Don't be nervous, it’s not scary and make sure to try new things.
Try your best in everything. Take every shot you get. Engaging in the lesson makes it 100% more enjoyable.
Don't worry about getting lost, it happens all the time and there will be lots of people around to help you find your way.
Don't be afraid about making new friends. Fram is full of respectful and kind people.
Just be yourself and try your very best. Also be kind to people and smile and you will be alright and there is always a teacher there for anyone.
Please find this week's key messages below.
Lockdown Drill - Advance Notice
As part of our commitment to keeping pupils safe, we will be conducting a lockdown drill on Tuesday 21st October. A lockdown drill is a practice exercise that helps pupils and staff know what to do in the event of an emergency that requires us to secure the school building. Just like fire drills, these are important for ensuring everyone knows how to stay safe. We understand that the idea of a lockdown drill may be concerning. Please be assured that this is a planned and controlled practice, and no actual threat is present.
Sparx Maths
How does Sparx homework work?
Sparx personalises each child’s homework, creating a weekly set of questions tailored to their level of understanding and learning pace. The questions are designed to be achievable whilst offering the stretch that learners need to make progress. Each week, topics are set by your child’s maths teacher and will make up most of the homework questions. Questions from previous topics will also be included in the homework so that students can keep practising the skills they have learned. Homework for all year groups will be set every Wednesday and will be due in the following Wednesday.
How can I help my child with their homework?
We appreciate that you will of course want to support your child with their home learning, but please try not to help them with a question until they’ve had a go first. It is important that they complete their homework independently, and that questions are marked as correct. This way, Sparx can make sure your child continues to see homework that’s at the right level for them.
Why does my child need to achieve 100% compulsory homework completion?
Sparx Homework is designed to help students understand the concepts and skills they are learning by ensuring they cover the building blocks needed to make progress in maths. Research by Sparx has shown that an average of 60 minutes a week of personalised maths home learning leads to clear progress. It is advised that students do their homework as early as possible, so they have the time to seek help from their teacher if needed. Homework is not marked as complete until all the compulsory questions have been answered correctly, so starting early is key to finishing before hand-in time.
To help you keep track of your child’s homework completion, you will receive a weekly email from Sparx to let you know how they are getting on. Students will always get a full week to complete their homework, and it will always be set and due on Wednesday of each week to help students manage their time.
We hope you agree that Sparx will play an exciting and important role in helping your child’s understanding, success, and confidence in maths to grow. For all of this to work, we will be sharing your child’s data with the Sparx Maths team. For information, the Sparx Maths Privacy Notice is available via this link:
Privacy Notice - Sparx Learning
Below is a link to a video that explains how Sparx Maths works:
There is now also a Sparx 'parents' website which contains information on how Sparx maths works and how parents can support their children at home, which can be found here:
Mr Robinson, Curriculum Leader of Mathematics
6th Form Open Evening
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the Year 11 students - both internal and external - and parents and carers who attended our open evening on Monday; we really enjoyed having the opportunity to talk to you about what we offer at our sixth form. A link to our application form has been shared with all Year 11 students via ClassCharts.
A special thank you also to all of the current Year 12 and 13 students who gave up their time to volunteer on the evening, including those who spoke so eloquently as part of the subject-specific presentations. Our elected student presidents, Sylvie and Georgia, both confidently delivered excellent speeches about their Key Stage 5 experiences at FSD. We couldn't ask for better ambassadors for our Sixth Form; we are very proud of them all.
Show Racism the Red Card
Friday 17th October is 'Wear Red Day', organised by Show Racism the Red Card, the UK's leading anti-racism educational charity. Students in Years 7-10 have focused on the issue of racism in sport and wider society in their PSHE lessons this week and our sixth form students have been busy fundraising. As well as making sweet cones to sell, they have organised a staff ice bucket challenge; students across the school have made donations in return for a vote for their 'favourite' teacher to be drenched. Huge thanks to Mrs Wilson; Mrs Wright; Mr Oularbi; Mr Moran; Mr Welch and Mr Prested, who have all been amazing sports in the name of a good cause. We will reveal their fate very soon...
Mrs King, Head of Sixth Form & PSHE Lead
Key Year 11 Information
Progress Meetings
You will be receiving a progress meeting appointment time next week. This meeting is an opportunity for you and your child to meet with a senior member of staff to discuss current progress in Year 11 and how they have been preparing for the upcoming mock series, commencing on Monday 17th November.
Please note - due to the volume of appointments being conducted, we are unable to change appointments or reschedule. Your child will attend their appointment on their own should you be unable to attend. There will be an additional opportunity to attend an in-person parents’ evening in the new year.
Raising Achievement Sessions (RAS)
RAS started on Monday 13th October and will run through to the November mock series. These are targeted sessions designed to intervene where students struggle with key concepts and/or have knowledge gaps. If students have been selected by their teachers to attend a session, it will appear on their Class Charts timetable, and you will be able to see if they have attended or not. Students may be selected to attend up to 3/4 sessions a week, and the majority of the sessions take place at lunchtime, after your child has had a break and time to eat. Some sessions occur after school. Your support in getting your child to these sessions is crucial and much appreciated; last year there was a correlation between attendance at RAS and GCSE success.
There are two more blocks of RAS, one in January in the build-up to the February mock series and one in April in the run-up to the GCSE exam period. If your child doesn't have a session appear on their timetable for this block, they will likely be selected for one of the subsequent RAS blocks.
Miss Lutynski, Assistant Headteacher
‘Protecting Young People From Online Radicalisation’ Assemblies
Durham and Darlington Councils have commissioned the Small Steps group to deliver bespoke assemblies to schools with regard to young people and online radicalisation.
Next week in school, Years 7-10 will take part in these assemblies with the aim of upskilling young people to recognise the dangers online and when to recognise harmful content. As part of the age-appropriate assemblies, topics that will be covered include extreme right-wing movements, mixed ideologies, the incel movement, the manosphere and online networks involved in terrorist ideology and cybercrime.
Topics that will also be covered include where to get help if you are concerned, understanding the dangers of certain platforms, what to do if you are approached by an extremist group, interactive gaming activities and the dangers they pose to young people. The sessions will also cover topics such as misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories in line with updates in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.
Our Safeguarding Team have participated in specialist training sessions delivered by Small Steps and there is an opportunity for parents and carers to also take part in a training session. You can access the link for the parents and carers session here:
If you would like any further advice or guidance, please visit the website Parents' Resources - Educate Against Hate
If you would like to know more about this or wish to discuss any of this further, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s Year Team.
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
What is my child learning?
A reminder that you can find curriculum details about what your child is studying here on our website: Curriculum Overview | Framwellgate School Durham
How to help support your child at home?
Students can use the link below to access resources that will help them study independently at home, such as:
- Knowledge organisers
- Revision checklists
- Past exam papers
- ‘How to Revise’ instructional videos
Students have been shown how to access this SharePoint site and a 'how to' sheet has been sent to you via ClassCharts. As parents and carers, you won’t be able to access this, but the link will work for all students. Students learning how to use this excellent resource early in their time here will be very beneficial to them later as they approach their GCSE studies. All GCSE students should be making regular use of it as a matter of course.