Many thanks for your interest in Alumni 150, Framwellgate School Durham’s organisation for former students. This is the first update of the new alumni organisation.
Since becoming Headteacher here in 2024 I’ve been really struck by how many of the parents I speak to are also former students, something that gives the school a community feel unlike any other I’ve worked in. As you may already know, 2027 will mark 150 years of a school being here in Framwellgate and is also the year that we’ll be moving into our rebuilt school, in effect the third home for the school since 1877 following its establishment in what is now the community centre on Front Street, the move into the current buildings in the 1960s and now our new building which as I type is being built where I believe many of you will have completed cross country. At this rate of progress, it seems likely there might be a fourth new building in or around 2077.
Aims of Alumni 150
The purpose of this project is simply to keep interested people updated on life in the school. We’ll aim to write to people every half term or 6 times a year with information on what has been happening in school as well as pointing out how people might help and support us if they wish. This might take the form of active participation in events like mock careers interviews for our students; it might be as simple as us sharing information with people in the local community so you can have a better understanding of what’s going on. We’re also asking people to share their memories of Fram with us ahead of our celebrations in 2027. We’d like to create a visual display that charts people’s time here, both in terms of images and written memories. Therefore, our first “ask” is for people who have any photos to share them with the school. You can do this in several ways.
You can send in high-resolution scans directly to enquiries@framdurham.com marked Alumni 150.
If you only have physical print copies then you can drop them off at main reception, again marked Alumni 150, and we’ll take a copy. If you’re doing this and would like the photos back, please remember to leave your contact details and we’ll let you know when they’re ready to collect again once we’ve taken a copy.
Rebuild
As some of you may already know, the school is currently being rebuilt with construction work taking place on part of our school fields where I’m told students in the 1980s would do cross-country. Drilling work for both the foundations and the ground source heating system has revealed a vast network of old mine shafts which is not that surprising here in County Durham on a site next to a road called Old Pit Lane. Some of our students have been filming progress via drone and there’s a link here to their latest video (although work has been progressing so quickly that this is already slightly out of date) and there is already the beginnings of the steel frame of the main building taking shape.
Memories
We’ve already asked you for some of your memories. Below is a selection of some of my favourites, all of them honest, not all of them something that if they’d happened with me as Headteacher I might be happy about...
Lots of memories but I do fondly remember the German Exchange when we were allocated penpals with students who lived in Lohne, West Germany (at the time). They then came to stay in our homes and vice versa. Can’t see that happening in 2026! A fantastic experience, however.
A large tile fell out of the library ceiling and just missed my head one time. I didn't take the hint and have ended up as a librarian!
Going to Jordan and America on cultural exchange trips. Speaking in the House of Lords with the English Speaking Union and Debate Club.
Holding the school record for 110m hurdles! Fabulous foreign exchange trip to Chalons Sur Marne. Basketball exchange with VFL Rheinhausen and still in contact with my exchange student 43 years on!
Brass band and competing at the Royal Albert Hall
Playing hockey with concrete hockey balls
One of the science labs had a piranha tank, and a certain teacher who shall remain nameless occasionally put confiscated items in it which students could retrieve if they liked... They generally didn't like and the items were removed when the tank was cleaned.
I can confirm that we do not currently have a piranha tank or indeed any other James Bond evil mastermind like methods of keeping control.
Residential to Montdidier in France circa 1989-1990, many thanks to Mrs Craig for sharing.
Next Steps
We'll be writing again in late June/early July but please do feel free to share memories and photos using the methods above as well as encouraging others to sign up using this link: Framwellgate School Durham - Alumni 150 sign up – Fill out form If you have a practical way in which you’d like to try and help the school, please do get in touch, emailing in and marked for my attention.
Michael Wright
Headteacher
May 2026