Dear parents, carers and families,
This week in school we were looking to the future as well as remembering the past.
On Monday evening it was our own 6th Form Open Evening where we were joined by not only current Year 11 students here and their families but also those people thinking of joining the school next year. This time of year, Year 11 students across the country start to make their own informed choices about their next steps in education. Here at our 6th Form I spoke about what we offer. Our grades last year were the joint highest in the county, a reflection of the support students get. We also offer a blended curriculum where students can choose a traditional academic pathway, a more vocational one or, as many of them do, a mixture of both. There is no one right way to succeed or be successful and we avoid only offering narrow pathways to students. Next year in our new building the 6th Form is purposely right in the heart of the new school so it serves as a beacon of aspiration to all out students so everyone who joins us knows that they have a path to success here with us.
Of course, like the rest of the country, we also looked back on Wednesday as we observed a period of silence and reflection at 11.00am as our own Act of Remembrance. It was with a sense of pride that I saw so many of our students in their various cadet uniforms and those of the Scouting and Girl Guides. Remembrance is about honouring those who have given their lives in service for a cause beyond themselves. The uniforms are a visible reminder that many young people in this country are still willing to be part of a collective and one that is a force of positivity. Of course, not every young person will want to be part of, for example, cadets, but I would argue that every young person who is part of some wider organisation, be that a sports team, a youth club or any volunteer group is likely to experience a greater sense of belonging and wellbeing than those who are not involved in such activities.
On Wednesday itself at lunchtime I watched a group of Year 7 boys play tag, a young Year 9 couple on their regular daily "date" having their lunch together on a bench under one of the trees and spoke to another student about his love of rugby. These simple pleasures and freedoms, which we are fortunate to enjoy because of the sacrifices of others, should never be taken for granted, something sadly proved in those parts of the world today where these things can't happen due to conflict.
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.
Emailing Staff Members
I'd like to clarify our stance on emailing the school and contacting individual staff out of hours. I appreciate that for many people they find email a more convenient form of communication in the first instance although I would argue it often delays the response in a way that a telephone call doesn't as people are able to understand more quickly what's needed. It is not appropriate to email individual staff members during non-working hours, nor to expect a swift response. I would not email my solicitor, my doctor or any other professional and expect a response within a tight timeframe at the weekend and schools are no different. I have a duty of care to staff members and to the public purse and people emailing out-of-hours can have a negative impact on staff wellbeing and school resources.
We would therefore ask parents and carers not to email individual staff members outside normal working hours.
If you wish to email staff but need to write your email in the evening please send it on a timer in the morning at the start of the school day. Alternatively use the school website: Contact Us | Framwellgate School Durham
Anti-Bullying Week - Monday 16th November
As a school, we are committed to ensuring every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive and learn. During Anti-Bullying Week, we will be exploring this year’s theme, “Break the Silence,” encouraging students to find their voice, speak up when something is wrong, and support one another with kindness and empathy. Through assemblies, tutor activities and discussions, we will remind students that bullying is never acceptable and that seeking help, challenging bystander behaviour, and reporting incidents or concerns are all signs of strength. By working together as a school community, we can create an environment where everyone feels heard, respected and confident to stand up for themselves and others. Personal development lessons will be focusing on Anti-Bullying and students are always encouraged to report concerns or worries they have. Students will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire regarding bullying as we value their views and opinions in school. As a parent or carer, we also encourage you to contact your child's Year Team if you have any worries or concerns regarding bullying or unkind behaviour.
To support the start of Anti-Bullying week, we are encouraging all staff and students to wear odd socks on Monday 16th November to celebrate what makes us all different and unique!
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
Parental Survey
Thanks to everyone who's already taken the time to complete this. If you haven't done so already, please click on this link and let us know your thoughts: Parent and Carer Survey November 2026 - Framwellgate School Durham
Parental Forum – Working in partnership
Thanks to everyone who has signed up for this. The deadline to express interest is Monday 16th November at which point we'll write to those specific people who've signed up. If you'd like to be involved, you can sign up here: FSD Parental Forum - Wednesday 25th November - 5.00pm
Year 11 Mock Examinations- Week Beginning 16th November and 23rd November.
All students have now received their individual examination timetable, including their allocated seat number. Students must ensure they arrive at school on time and are fully prepared for their examinations.
The morning examination will begin at 8:45am.
A copy of the mock examination timetable and a study booklet outlining what students will be assessed on is still available on the Class Charts announcement sent to parents and students last half term. Students have also been provided with a paper copy.
Please encourage your child to make use of the Resource Hub, which can be accessed through Office 365. This contains a range of revision materials and past examination papers to support their preparation.
We would like to wish all students the very best of luck during this examination period.
School CPD Day closure
A reminder that the school will be closed to students this half term on Friday 27th November.
Student Christmas Dinner
This year the school Christmas Dinner will be served to students on Tuesday 15th December.
End of Term arrangements
On the last day of term, Friday 18th December, lunch will be served to students at an earlier time, and they will be dismissed from school at the earlier time of 12.45pm for the Christmas holidays.
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 - 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