Dear parents, carers and families, 

Welcome to the first weekly update of the academic year. For those of you who are new to the school, each Friday we send a link to parents and carers to a news item on our website, trying to capture slices of what's happening in school, share key information about important events and reflect on the values of this school community. At this start of the academic year, it is great to be able to share some positive news. Our A Level students achieved the strongest results in the school's recent history with their average grade of a B being the joint top in the County – you can read more here: A Level Results 2026. At GCSE the school achieved its best set of results since the Covid pandemic, another sign that the improvements to the school we've been trying to make are paying dividends: GCSE Results 2026. These results are a testament to the hard work of all these students and the support they have received here at school and, crucially, from their families at home. We celebrate these results not because of the grades themselves but because of what the hard work they represent and the freedom and choices they will now give to so many of our students. 

However, when our new Year 7 students joined us on Thursday, I suspect that many of them weren't thinking about the GCSE results they'll gain in 2031. As is normal they showed worries about getting lost, worries about making new friends, the lunch menu and navigating their own way home. There was also excitement about seeing friends again, struggles with how to wear a tie and keenness on the part of some to make sure everything that could possibly be underlined was underlined correctly. As parents some of you will have been far more nervous than them about the transition to "big school" but it's important to remember that change is normal and that your children, our students, will develop that most important of skills, resilience, by navigating these changes and accepting that some aspects of it may be difficult at first but will ultimately be worthwhile. 

For students throughout the school this week we've been introducing our new behaviour focus, centred on explicitly teaching expectations around the 3 R’s: what it means to be Respectful, Responsible and Ready to learn. We're focusing on these areas as we believe it will help all students become better prepared for the adult world and support them to gain the qualifications that give them more choices. A student who is always ready to learn doesn't lose time trying to find the right equipment and therefore can spend more time focused on their learning and increase their chances of getting the grades that will allow them to choose what they want to do later in life. They'll also develop the habits that every single employer looks for of knowing it isn't just about turning up, it's about turning up on time with the right equipment to succeed. Many thanks in advance for supporting the school in establishing how important baseline expectations like this are for everyone. 

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.  

Equipment Reminder 

All students will now have been issued their equipment packs by their tutors. They should ensure they have these with them every day. This is about our students being ready to learn. Tutors and teachers will be checking this daily. The equipment packs are now available to pay for on ParentPay (£1). Thank you to everyone who has already purchased these. As a reminder, the compulsory items that students should be bringing to school every day are: Bag, pencil case (as provided), calculator and PE kit on PE days. Negative behaviour points will be issued where these items are missing so we really appreciate your help at home in reminding and reinforcing these messages; helping your child in this aspect of their organisation and being ready to learn.  

After-School Detentions 

Detentions this academic year will take place after school every day from 2:55–3:25pm. Students will have access to a computer during this time to support them in completing any appropriate work. Students will receive a detention when they: 

  • Receive three or more lates in one week 

  • Receive three or more uniform violations in one week 

  • Are removed from a lesson. 

Detentions will normally be set for the following day. Where a student has been removed from a lesson, the teacher will set a suitable date for the student to attend a detention and take part in a restorative conversation. Detentions are set on Class Charts and so it is very important that students, parents and carers check this. We ask that parents and carers support us in ensuring that students attend their detentions. Detentions are compulsory, and students are expected to attend when they have been issued with one. Your support is greatly appreciated in helping us maintain high standards of attendance, uniform, and behaviour across the school. 

Children’s Commissioner’s National Survey 

We’ve been asked to share the link to the Children’s Commissioner’s National Survey – you can find the link here: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigfuture 

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, explains the purpose of the survey on her website, saying, “I am asking children about the changes they want to see in their communities, their biggest concerns, and their hopes for the future. More than anything, I want to know what they think a good childhood should look like, now and in the future.” You can find more information at her website. 

Uniform Reminder 

A reminder that our uniform policy permits one pair of studs and no other items of jewellery. Students shouldn't wear smartwatches to school, these are prohibited under exam regulations as well as within our policy on mobile phones. All students in Years 7 to 11 should have their blazer with them and wear plain black shoes or trainers. 

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. Learning how to use this excellent resource early in their time here will be very beneficial to students later as they approach their GCSE studies. All GCSE students should be making regular use of it as a matter of course.  

Resource Hub 

For information about different A Level and GCSE exam boards and programmes of study, please follow this link: Exams | Framwellgate School Durham