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Dear Parents, Carers and Families,
This is the final update of term. The term ends on Friday 19th December. School will finish for all students at 12.45pm that day, and we have arranged for buses and taxis to be here earlier as a consequence.
A reminder that we start back on Monday 5th January at the normal time for all students.
Below is the winning design from this year's Christmas card competition. Phoebe's design was used on all the cards the school sent out this year and can I, like her, wish you all a “Framtastic” Christmas, a restful holiday and a Happy New Year. We all look forward to the school remaining a vital part of this community in 2026 and beyond.
Many thanks for your continued support of the school; I hope you all have a good weekend and a lovely holiday when it comes.
Michael Wright
Headteacher
Please find this week's key messages below.
Celebrating Success
Reward Milestones have arrived. Students can now climb The Ascent, being recognised at each milestone throughout the year. A large percentage of our students have already reached the Bronze Ridge and Silver Plateau, and certificates will come from tutors before Christmas. When students reach the Golden Crest and beyond, this will be celebrated in assemblies as the year progresses.
Mr Sands, Curriculum Leader for PE, Sport and Health
Sixth Form Update
It has been a busy and productive term in the Sixth Form. We are extremely proud of the way in which students in both Year 12 and 13 prepared for and performed in their recent assessments. We saw some fantastic results which reflect not only students' academic ability but also their hard work and commitment to their studies.
Year 13 students have been firmly focused on the future, and for the vast majority of this year's cohort, this has meant applying to university. After working hard on their applications, we are delighted to see so many students receiving offers from a wide range of universities, including Bristol, Warwick, Edinburgh, York, King's College London, Queen's University Belfast, Manchester and Nottingham. Many students have faced in-person and online interviews and have risen to the challenge admirably. We would also like to say a huge well done to our students who have secured interviews at Oxford and Cambridge. A special thank you also to Mrs Moss, our guidance manager, who has used her incomparable expertise to support our students through every step of the process.
We are squeezing in a little more post-18 enrichment before the end of term, as we welcome back some of our Sixth Form alumni next week to talk to both Sixth Form and Year 11 students about their experiences of university and degree apprenticeships.
Year 12 have made an extremely positive start to their key stage 5 studies. As well as following a tutor programme that has focused on 'making the leap' from GCSEs to A levels, they have also benefitted from a personal development programme that has included a drivers' awareness course run by Durham County Council, visits from the charities Oddballs and Knickers in a Twist, and sessions from the Social Mobility Foundation and Sunderland University.
Next half term will see the launch of our Broadening Horizons Award with Year 12, which is unique to our Sixth Form. This offers students the opportunity to build up a portfolio of evidence that will benefit them when it comes to university applications and CVs/interviews, whilst also developing their academic skills and interests. Year 12 students will also focus on finalising their work experience placements, ready for their week in the 'real world' in April.
Extra-curricular and community activities have also been plentiful this term. The sixth formers have raised money for Show Racism the Red Card, organising the highly successful ice-bucket challenge; they have also enjoyed participating in our annual pumpkin-decorating challenge and our pyjama day for Children in Need.
Our student presidents, Georgia and Sylvie, took time out from their studies in November to visit Poland as part of the national Lessons from Auschwitz project and will share their experience with the wider school as part of our Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations in January. A group of our Year 13 students is also taking part in the Ethics Cup debating competition next week at Durham University; we would like to wish them the very best of luck!
We are looking forward to our festive celebrations and Christmas Jumper Day next week, as well as another incredible festive performance from our resident band, Jam Tub.
Finally, we are absolutely delighted that so many of our Year 11 students have applied to our Sixth Form. Our formal interviews will take place in January, where prospective students will have the opportunity to discuss their subject choices and post-18 plans, and to ask any questions they might have.
We hope that all our sixth formers and lower school pupils have a restful festive break; we look forward to welcoming them back in January.
Mrs King, Head of Sixth Form & PSHE Lead
World Challenge 2026 - Norway
Well Done to the 6th Form World Challenge Team!. Over the last two weeks they have completed their training days and launch event for their upcoming visit to Norway in the summer.
They will soon be finishing their final preparations for the expedition, which includes developing their fitness, readying their kit and finishing off any fundraising that they intend to do.
World Challenge 2028 - Turkey (Years10 & 11)
Thanks to everyone who came along to the Turkey meeting last week, fantastic to see some of you there!
Applications are still open – you can sign up via the trip page here. The deadline for applications is 19th December 2025.
If you missed the talk, here is the recording – https://youtu.be/S8TjaCeAtgU
You can still sign up and find out about the expedition on our trip webpage here.
For any questions, please email Ali at World Challenge: aions@world-challenge.co.uk
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award - Year 12
This week our Year 12 Silver DofE students had their first meeting and began the process of completing their award. The majority of this will be completed via the eDofE app.
If you have a student at home that is enrolled onto the Silver award with us, please have a conversations with them about their 'three sections' and the plans that they have to complete these. Failing to complete these sections on time is one the biggest barriers students tend to face when it comes to completing the course.
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award - Y ear 10
Shortly after Christmas our Year 10 Bronze DofE students will have their final meeting to conclude the course and sign off final sections and paperwork.
Over the next few weeks it would be beneficial for all students and parents to check on thier eDofE app again and ensure that all sections are finished and ready to submit, each with acceptable evidence.
For any questions about any of these different items, please email Mr Boreland: boreland.l@framdurham.com
Mr Boreland,
Safeguarding during the Holidays
We know that during the holiday period, some individuals and families may benefit from some extra help and support.
If you have any safeguarding concerns or worries during the holidays, you can contact First Contact on 03000 267979 or the Police on 101. If you need any urgent support or are finding the festive period quite difficult, you can contact Childline on 08000 1111 or the Mental Health Crisis Team on 111 option 2.
Foodbank Opening Times and Locations
As Christmas is quickly approaching, we know a lot of families might find this time particularly stressful for lots of reasons. We have attached the link to local foodbank locations in Durham https://durham.foodbank.org.uk/locations/
The opening times will be available on the foodbank website in the upcoming weeks.
Online Safety
As many of you may be purchasing electronic devices for your child for Christmas, we thought it may be helpful to signpost parents and carers to the website Children’s tech buying guide | Internet Matters, where you will be able to understand key features and set up devices safely for any new technology. This includes guidance before you buy, how to set up parental controls and how to add other features to safeguard your child in the online world.
The UK Safer Internet Centre and Cyber Safe websites also provide some helpful tips on staying safe online at Christmas. Top tips for staying safe online at Christmas - UK Safer Internet Centre and Gifting a smart device to your child is not just for Christmas - CyberSafeKids are easy websites to navigate in ensuring online safety.
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.
For information about different A Level and GCSE exam boards and programmes of study, please follow this link: Exams | Framwellgate School Durham