Dear parents, carers and families,
I took the photo below at the end of this half term last year. I knew that this land would soon be fenced off and become where our rebuild work would start.
Below you can see the newest video from our own media club that highlights just how much has changed in the past 12 months.
At the time of writing, everything remains on track for our move into the new building in September 2027, with demolition work on all current buildings, except the sports hall, due to begin immediately. Can I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during this process as a parent body as we ensure that we have a school building that reflects the ambitions we all hold for your children.
The new building is long overdue with its replacement first agreed in the late 2000s before being pulled in 2010. This latest project was itself delayed for some years and impacted by the RAAC concrete crisis that impacted schools across the country and here in Durham as resources were, rightly, diverted to support schools who suddenly found they had to move into temporary accommodation. On a personal level it has meant that within months of becoming Headteacher in 2024 I was involved in the design meetings for this new build and I do feel the privilege of having had a say in the building that will be the home of secondary education in this part of the city for years to come.
However, I'll conclude by saying something I've said many times before. While the rebuild work is exciting, schools aren't buildings, they are communities, and they are the people within that community. Like all young people, some of our students occasionally find it difficult to establish their place within that community hard or difficult but that's part of what school life is about, learning how to exist in something bigger than yourself and gaining happiness, security and joy from being part of that collective.
Many thanks for your continued support of the school. I hope you all have a good weekend, a great half-term, and that those going trick-or-treating get just what they deserve...
Michael Wright
Headteacher
Please find this week's key messages below.
Alumni 150
We shared this with our Alumni network yesterday but if you're a former student of the school, please click on the link and consider joining the network yourself. Alumni 150 | Framwellgate School Durham
Parent SEN Information Evenings
Last term we held a parent information session to enable parents of students with special educational needs to hear from experts and ask questions. The session last term focused on neurodivergence and we had a number of Durham's SEND and Inclusion Advisory Teachers in attendance to share their expertise.
We plan to hold these information sessions on a termly basis if there is enough demand, but before arranging the next one, we would like to gather parents' views on what we should focus on.
Sessions could focus on anxiety, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, developmental language disorder, or another topic of your choice. Your child does not need to have a diagnosis for you to attend - even if you think your child MIGHT have a difficulty in one of these areas, come along for an informal chat and find out more.
To help with the planning, please click on the link to fill in the online survey, and tell us what you want to know more about.
Parent SEN information sessions – Fill out form
Details of the next session will be shared via the newsletter as soon as they are confirmed.
Mrs Forrest, SENCo
Firework safety
As Bonfire Night approaches, we want to remind our school community about the importance of firework safety. Fireworks can be exciting and beautiful, but they also carry serious risks if not handled correctly. Every year, accidents occur that result in burns, eye injuries, and hearing damage — many of which could be prevented with proper care.
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase fireworks, and they should only be used under the supervision of a responsible adult. If you are to attend displays, we encourage families to attend organised public displays, where trained professionals ensure safety and enjoyment for all.
If fireworks are used at home, please follow these key guidelines:
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Keep a safe distance from the launch area.
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Never return to a lit or malfunctioning firework.
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Wear gloves and eye protection when handling sparklers.
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Keep pets indoors to avoid distress.
We ask parents and carers to discuss these safety measures with their children, reinforcing that fireworks are not toys and should never be played with. Together, we can ensure that celebrations remain fun, memorable, and safe for everyone. If you would like any further advice or guidance please see the links below.
Firework safety advice hub | Safe fireworks for families
Bonfire Night Safety Tips Factsheet
Safeguarding during half term
We know that during the half term break, some individuals and families may benefit from some extra help and support.
If you have any safeguarding concerns or worries during the half term break you can contact First Contact on 03000267979 or the Police on 101. If you need any urgent support, or finding the holiday difficult, you can contact Childline on 080001111 or the Mental Health Crisis Team on 111 option 2.
Foodbank Opening Times and Locations
As the half-term holiday approaches, we know that many families may find this period particularly stressful for a variety of reasons. We have included a link to local food bank locations across Durham. https://durham.foodbank.org.uk/locations/
The opening times will be available on the foodbank website in the upcoming weeks.
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
Family Hubs
Family hubs are local authority‑led centres in England that bring together health, education, parenting, and welfare services into a single “one‑stop shop” for families with children aged 0–19 (or up to 25 with SEND). They provide integrated support such as infant feeding help, parenting classes, mental health services, and early years development programmes. Durham has several Family Hubs, you can find out more here: Find out what's on at your nearest Best Start Family Hub - Durham County Council.
There are a number of excellent services available, but those we would particularly signpost are listed below.
Safer Choices - For young people of secondary school age to understand risky behaviours, peer pressure, consequences and how to make safer choices.
Staying Cool Teen - For teenagers, looking at anger management and ways to deal with their feelings.
Durham SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) drop-in.
Teen Zone - For young people of secondary school age who are struggling with confidence and self-esteem.
Educational Psychology drop-in - Talk to the Educational Psychology team about any concerns you may have about your child such as learning, communication and language, social and emotional-wellbeing, practical skills or being independent.
In general, Family Hubs offer a great service – we'd urge all parents to be aware of them and consider what support, if any, they may wish to access.
Miss O’Neill, Assistant Headteacher
In School Assessments
An overview of when students will be assessed in Term 1 can be found at
Assessment | Framwellgate School Durham
Further to this KS3 End of Year Assessments will take place on the following dates:
Year 7 - Week Beginning 24th May 2027
Year 8 - Week Beginning 7th June 2027
Year 9- Week Beginning 14th June 2027
Key Stage 4 Mock Examinations
Year 10 - Mock Exams Weeks Beginning 12th April and 19th April 2027
Year 11- Mock Exams 1 Week Beginning 16th November and 23rd November 2026
Year 11- Mock Exams 2 Week Beginning 22nd Feb and 1st March 2027
Key Stage 5 Assessments/ Mock Examinations
Year 12 and 13 Week 1 - Week Beginning 2nd November and 9th November 2026
Year 12 - Assessment Week 2 -Week Beginning 1st February and 8th February 2027
Year 12 Mocks - Weeks Beginning 21st June and 28th June 2027
Year 13 Mocks - Week Beginning 1st February and 8th February 2027
Summer 2027 Exams – Contingency Day
All students taking GCSE, AS, or A Level examinations in summer 2027 must be available up to and including Wednesday 23rd June 2027.
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:
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severe weather
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widespread transport disruption
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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.
Key Dates
Year 7 Progress Evening Tuesday 27th April 2027
Year 8 Progress Evening Tuesday 18th May 2027
Year 9 Progress Evening Tuesday 19th January 2027
Year 10 Progress Evening Thursday 18th March 2027
Sixth Form Progress Evening Thursday 10th December 2026 and Tuesday 9th March 2027
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:
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Knowledge organisers
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Revision checklists
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Past exam papers
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‘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.
For information about different A Level and GCSE exam boards and programmes of study, please follow this link: Exams | Framwellgate School Durham