Dear Parents, Carers and Families,
Over the course of the half-term holiday, you may have seen coverage of the depressing, if not surprising, report from the ex-government minister Alan Milburn about the number of young people in this country classified as NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training. The latest data shows some 957,000 people aged 16 to 24 meet this description, or 12.8% of that part of the population. Milburn himself described this situation as shameful, and I would agree. Here in the North East, this situation is even more acute, with the latest data showing that the North East has higher rates of NEETs than other parts of the country, and of the different local authorities in the North East, it’s County Durham that has the highest proportion in the region. This is not a league table anyone would want to be on top of. There isn’t one reason for all of this, and there certainly isn’t one solution
We’re one school, one community, and it’s beyond any one school in isolation to overturn these systemic issues. However, we can be part of the solution. First and foremost, we can create a school that allows students to reach their full academic potential, so that they gain the qualifications necessary to be masters of their own destiny in terms of their entry to the workforce. It remains true that academic success is the biggest determinant of earnings and social mobility later in life, although this has become less true in recent years, especially for graduates. We can also offer more careers guidance. We already have a strong careers programme here in school and are lucky to employ a trained careers advisor, something most other schools do not. We’ll be looking to strengthen this provision within our classrooms over the course of the next academic year by asking staff to be more explicit about how the skills being developed or content covered might relate to future careers, so that students can directly see the connection between what they’re learning and their potential future. Focusing on good results and clear careers guidance are two vitally important parts of getting students ready for life after school.
However, good qualifications and knowing what career choices are available can only ever be part of the solution. Young people need to learn how to be part of a team, how to work alongside others, and develop the resilience needed to master new skills. The day I finished my GCSE exams, I got my first part-time job, washing pots in a kitchen. The money wasn’t anything to write home about, but I did learn massive amounts about the reality of work. Statistically, the majority of people of my generation got their first part-time job aged 16. Now, a minority of young people do so. I think this makes it even more important that we, as a school, offer young people the sorts of opportunities that develop this side of them. The Fram Media club is a good example of this, another of whose videos is featured below. A group of young people working together to achieve a goal. If the percentage of young people across the country, but particularly here in the North East, who enter the work force, is to increase, then we as a school need to continue to offer more than just an academic education – we also need to provide those sorts of life experiences that set all young people up for the world of work.
Many thanks as always to you all 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.
Safeguarding Survey - A reminder
Thank you to all those parents and carers who have recently completed our Safeguarding Survey.
Your feedback is extremely valuable and will help us review and improve our safeguarding practices, culture and support systems within the school. If you have not done so already, could you please take a few minutes to complete this survey.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping us maintain a safe and supportive environment for all children, both in school, online, and in the community. Feedback so far has been really helpful and given us a strong insight into parents’ and carers’ views.
Access the survey here Parent & Carer Survey May 2026 – Fill in form
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
Mobile Phones
Many thanks for your support in terms of the changes to our stance on mobile phones that we began to implement this week. For a reminder about why we're changing our position and the practical implications, please see this previous update. Headteacher's Update 15.05.26 | Framwellgate School Durham
Rewards Evening
Our whole school awards evening will take place on Thursday 18th June at the Gala Theatre in Durham, 6.00-8.00pm. When winners have been decided, information will be sent out to parents and carers. It will be an excellent night of celebration, recognising the hard work and positive attitudes of our wonderful students.
Mr Sands, Curriculum Leader for PE, Sport and Health
New Build Update
Below is the latest video from our Media Club about the rebuild progress.
Students in the News
Charlie, featured in this news article, is one of our Year 9 students. We share his story here: Newcastle fan enjoys 'really cool' hospital visit from Joelinton and Kieran Trippier | Chronicle Live
You can also link directly to his fundraising efforts here: https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-krjpkml3ork7o
End of Year Art Exhibition Invitation
You are warmly invited to our End of Year Art Show, celebrating the fantastic work of our Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students.
The exhibition will take place on Friday 10th July from 4.30pm until 6.30pm.
This is a wonderful opportunity to see the creativity, skill, and dedication our students have shown throughout the year. As well as examination groups, work from students who have taken part in Art during Enrichment Week will also be showcased.
Everyone is very welcome to attend, and we hope you can join us in supporting and celebrating our students’ achievements.
Mr Carney, Curriculum Leader: Art & Design
World Cup & Family Pressures
As we approach the World Cup, we know that this can be an exciting time for many families and young people. However, we also recognise that large sporting events can sometimes bring added pressures at home, and for some, this may increase the risk of emotions running high, family tensions and non-school attendance for students.
We want to remind you that support is available. If you or someone you know is experiencing any difficulties at this time, you are not alone, and help is there when you need it, confidentially and also anonymously. Our school is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all our families, and we are here to listen and support if needed.
If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also access support through the following national services:
County Durham Drug & Alcohol Recovery Services – 03000 266666 or cddars.adult@waythrough.org.uk
Stop Domestic Abuse – 03300 533630 or advice@stopdomesticabuse.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) or www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.
To report concerns anonymously, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
First Contact Social Services 03000 267979
If you are in immediate danger, please call 999, or 101 for non-emergencies.
We care about the safety and wellbeing of every family in our community. Please reach out if you need support.
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
Year 11 GCSE Exam Plan
This information has been shared with students directly, but please see below for details.
Study Leave
Students are only in school if they have an exam, or they are going to a gradebuster session arranged by departments (see list of opportunities below).
Registration takes place during Quick Tips sessions, so it is essential students attend.
Students to leave school after they have sat their exam. If staying between exams they can go to Einstein’s. If students wish to come into school rather than study at home, please let the Year 11 pastoral team know.
Gradebuster Sessions
Revision sessions the day before an exam. Even though students are on study leave, they are welcome to come into school/stay in school after a morning exam, to work with a teacher during these sessions and prepare for their next exam.
Tuesday 9th June: Maths Paper 3, Periods 3 & 4 with MRO, EWE, JEV, JGR & PRI (+ JDI, JWA and PDI joining period 4) IN SCHOOL (B18, D14, B26, B24, B25)
Wednesday 10th June: Geography Paper 3, Lunchtime & P5 with KSC & DHO. IN SCHOOL (D1/D2)
Thursday 11th June: Chemistry, periods 3-4 with JSU, SSM, SAT. IN SCHOOL (Science Dept)
Friday 12th June: Physics, periods 3-4 with ITI, SBA, JEC. IN SCHOOL (Science Dept)
Miss Lutynski, Assistant Headteacher
Exam Stress
During exam season, stress for students becomes more prevalent. If you’re worried about how your child is coping with the stress and worries of exams and revision, please see the links below which you may find helpful.
Exam Time & Exam Stress | Parents Guide To Support | YoungMinds
Help your child beat exam stress - NHS
Mentally Healthy Schools’ Anna Freud also shares some practical advice and resources for young people with their mental health and wellbeing through independent self-care. The link below may help students create their own self-care plan my-self-care-plan-secondary.pdf and support them emotionally and socially.
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
Year 6 Parents
If you have a child starting with us in Year 7 in September, a reminder to visit this section of our website: Transition | Framwellgate School Durham
Summer 2026 Exams – Contingency Day
All students taking GCSE, AS, or A‑Level examinations in summer 2026 must be available up to and including Wednesday 24th June 2026.
This date is known as the contingency day. It is set nationally by the exam boards and the Department for Education as a safeguard.
The contingency day is only used if there is a major disruption that prevents an examination from taking place as scheduled. This could include events such as:
- severe weather
- widespread transport disruption
- a national emergency
If such a disruption occurs, affected examinations may be rescheduled to this contingency date.
Students should therefore avoid making travel or other commitments that would prevent them from being available on this date.
Mrs Mersh-Roberts, Deputy 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.