Dear Parents, Carers and Families,

Since ground was broken on the rebuilding project of the school, we offered information as part of these updates, but it feels appropriate to offer a little more insight into the full extent of the work being undertaken onsite. Some of our students working with Mr Knights as part of the Media Club have been using a drone to record progress. This video shows the construction site from above on 1st November, and even in the few weeks since, there have been some significant changes with the construction of an additional road to access the site this week and next. What the footage does show well is the footprint of the site, which can help people visualise the changes in relation to our current building.

It’s also of course great to have some of our students developing their filming and editing skills as part of our rich extra-curricular offer. We want the new building to reflect the shared ambitions we all have for the children here, but a fancy building isn’t a school, it’s the people within it who make it a true community, and it’s the qualifications, skills and friends that they will leave us with that they’ll remember beyond all else.

Earlier this month, the government announced that they would start judging the extra-curricular offer made by all schools and that every child should have access to what they have labeled as five different areas: civic engagement, arts and culture, nature, outdoor and adventure, sport and physical activities and developing wider life skills. As an aim, I support this, although of course if we say all children are entitled to these things, we should fund it accordingly, and often our best students are our busiest students. I can see, for example, our students taking part in civic engagement through the student council, art and culture in the form of the many auditioning for the production of Romeo and Juliet that the school is putting on this year, the STEM club focused on sustainability, students getting ready to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, stopping back after school to compete in a variety of sports teams and, I would argue, in every single one of these clubs or societies and the many others we offer, developing their wider life skills.

Childhood in 2025 has become for too many young people something lived online but I don’t think this offers an adequate replacement for the learning we all develop when we spend time with others in person, the deep connections we forge with our peers, alongside learning how to negotiate, listen and collaborate with others that comes from in-person interactions.

The weather this week has highlighted both the need for a new building and the positive qualities of many of our children. Our site at present rapidly becomes flooded in heavy rain or when snow falls and melts, and having to go outside to access different buildings and lessons in driving rain is no one’s idea of a treat. However, on Wednesday, when I stood at the gate in the morning in the driving snow, I watched young people walking in, smiling and saying good morning and showing the resilience, perseverance and empathy for others that we want in all our young people.

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

Michael Wright

Headteacher


Please find this week's key messages below. 

Parent and Carer Survey

Many thanks to those people who’ve already completed this. The survey is still open but closes tonight. If you haven’t been able to share your views yet, please take this opportunity.

Parent and Carer Survey November 2025 - Framwellgate School Durham

Visiting Artist Workshop

Year 11 and 6th Form students have been working with local artist Sarah Calavera to learn the art of gelli printing. They will now take these new skills and use them within their own personal projects. Images from the session can be found here gelli printing workshop - FSD ART & DESIGN

Mr Carney, Curriculum Leader for Art & Design 

Traffic on School Site

There is an increasing amount of traffic coming onto site during the school day. Can we please ask that if you are dropping your child off at school if they are late or have had an appointment, you drop them off at the pedestrian gate and wait until they have been let onto the school site safely by staff at Main Reception. This is to ensure safeguarding across the site and to minimise the amount of traffic on site during the day.

Can we also politely remind parents and carers not to park on the main school site at the start or end of the day, unless you have a pass to do so.

Humanutopia

Last week in school, our Year 9 students took part in workshops delivered by a company called Humanutopia. The workshops focus on building confidence, developing life skills and making positive changes, and encouraging honest reflection. Our Year 9 students were exemplary in the session, and all students positively engaged with the programme. So far, feedback has been extremely positive from students in school, and we hope that your child has discussed this with you at home too.

Non-prescribed Medicines in School

We know that at this time of year there are a lot of students suffering from cold and flu symptoms, amongst other symptoms from feeling generally unwell. Can we please ask that if your child brings in any non-prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines, they leave the medicines with staff at the Main Office and that parents and carers make school aware that your child is bringing medicines to school. As a reminder, all prescribed medicines given to school must have a clearly labelled sticker/prescription label on the medicine with the child's name, date of birth, dosage and expiry date.  Medicines can be left with the Main Office, but staff cannot administer them without parental consultation.

Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding

Friday 28th November

A reminder that school is closed on this day.

Christmas Lunch

We will be serving Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 16th December. More details to follow!

End of Term

This term ends on Friday 19th December. School will finish for all students at 12.45pm that day and we will arrange for buses and taxis to be here earlier as a consequence.

Christmas Appeals:

As we approach the festive season, we’re launching two special appeals to support families and children in our school community – and we’d love your help.

Christmas Present Appeal This year, we’re doing things a little differently. Instead of giving every child the same gift, we’re asking for donations so we can buy a chosen present for each child – something they truly want. Any size donation is welcome, and every penny goes towards making a child’s Christmas extra special. Donate here: [Christmas Present Appeal 2025 - JustGiving]

Christmas Food Appeal We’re also raising money to support families who may be struggling with food shopping over Christmas. Your donation will help us provide food vouchers so that every family can enjoy a warm, nourishing meal this festive season. Donate here: justgiving.com/campaign/christmasfoodvouchers2025

If you’d prefer to buy a gift directly, I can anonymously share a student’s wish with you, and the gift can be brought into school. We also welcome donations of selection boxes or other festive treats, which can be given alongside the student’s gift.

Thank you so much for your generosity and kindness.

Miss O’Neill, Assistant Headteacher

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.

Resource Hub