Dear Parents, Carers and Families,
The message below was shared with you all last week in a separate letter, but we’re resharing it here as it contains very important information for all parents, carers and students in terms of operational changes to the school that will take effect from September 2026.
Taught Behaviour Curriculum
As a school, we have a responsibility to not only deliver traditional academic lessons across the range of subjects, but also to explicitly teach our students the opportunity to learn and rehearse the behaviours that they need to be successful in school now, and beyond in later life.
For us, this means explicitly teaching expectations around the 3 R’s: what it means to be:
- Respectful
- Responsible
- Ready to learn
This can only be achieved through consistent modelling of positive behaviours, discussion, regular reinforcement, and requires clear routines and a consistent language so that students understand what is expected and feel secure. We are going to be doing a lot of work with our students about what it means to be respectful, responsible and ready to learn within our school community, and this is the language we will be continually returning to.
Students and parents will hear this narrative in letters home, assemblies, awards celebrations, lessons and through pastoral support. We know that students will make mistakes, but the purpose of a behaviour curriculum is to support them to learn from their mistakes, take responsibility, and put it right. We feel it is important to share this with you as parents and carers, so that we can all be ‘speaking the same language’.
Ready to Learn – Key Details
One of the key elements of our taught behaviour curriculum is about helping our students appreciate the importance of being ready for learning; arriving at lessons promptly and with the right attitude. This, of course, also involves ensuring that they are fully equipped.
As a school, we have decided that to help parents with the cost of providing the necessary equipment and to ensure consistency, we will ask students to have a ‘compulsory’ equipment pack (pre-filled pencil case). We are able to offer this to parents for just £1 and would ask that these are purchased through ParentPay before or during the summer holidays so that they can be distributed on the induction day in September. Students will be expected to have this equipment pack on their desks at the start of tutor time and in every lesson; their teachers will be checking this.
This means there are 3 items of compulsory equipment that students must bring to school with them every day:
- Pre-prepared pencil case to be purchased from ParentPay for £1.
- Scientific Calculator, which can be purchased from ParentPay for £10.
- A bag to store this equipment and anything else they need for the day.
There will be an equipment shop available before school and during morning break, where students can replenish their equipment, as needed, but it is their responsibility to ensure they are approaching their lessons fully equipped. Each clear pencil case contains the following: 3 black pens, 3 green pens (used for student response to feedback), rubber, ruler, pencil). Students can of course add additional stationery to their pencil case (e.g. highlighters), but the pre-prepared pack will reflect the minimum expectation, and all students are expected to use this.
There will be no cost to the families of those who receive free school meals and these children will be issued with an equipment pack in September.
Much of this is what schools have always done; helped students to learn how to be the best version of themselves. These principles are not new to us, but the main difference is that we are all going to be using a shared, consistent language to continually remind and reinforce our students that as part of this school community we are respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.
There will be no Headteacher’s Update next week as we’re closed on Friday 3rd July for a staff CPD day. The week beginning 6th July is Enrichment Week, which follows a different structure than a normal school week. At the end of that week, Friday 10th July, we’ll offer the final Headteacher’s Update of the year, with key information about the start of the next academic year in September 2026.
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.
Hot Weather Arrangements
Many thanks to all students who’ve adapted well to the challenges that the hot weather has presented. A reminder that we will return to normal uniform expectations on Monday 29th June.
Staff CPD Day
A reminder that the school is closed to students on Friday 3rd July for a staff training day.
Last Day of Term
School ends for the summer on Friday 17th July. School will finish for all students at 12.45pm that day, and we have arranged for buses and taxis to be here earlier as a consequence.
Social Media Ban
Following last weeks announcement about the proposed social media ban for under 16s, we wanted to share new guidance to help you answer some of the questions students and parents may have about the future restrictions.
While the ban has been announced, the new restrictions are not expected to come into effect until early next year. In the meantime, young people can still access social media — and some children may become even more curious about these platforms before the ban comes into place.
To support families, we wanted to share some useful information from Internet Matters, which can be found here new explainer page that covers what has been announced so far, what is still unclear and practical steps parents and carers can take now. Internet Matters have also provided a useful guide for parents on how to support children who already use social media, including what features to watch out for and how to review privacy and safety settings.
The link also provides some answers to parental queries including;
My child is worried about the announcement. What should I say?
Start by asking what they have heard and how they feel. Reassure them that many details are still being discussed and that any future changes are unlikely to happen immediately. Most importantly, let them know they can continue talking to you about their online experiences and concerns.
My child is 16, does this affect them?
Yes, potentially. While the proposed restrictions focus on children under 16, the Government has said that protections around livestreaming and contact from strangers would be switched on by default for 16 and 17-year-olds too.
The Government is also considering additional measures for this age group and has said it will provide more detail in July.
Will these changes solve all online safety concerns?
No. Children may still encounter risks through gaming platforms, messaging apps, video-sharing sites, livestreaming services and other online spaces.
This is why digital skills, critical thinking and ongoing support remain important.
If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact myself or the relevant year team to discuss any further concerns you may have regarding online safety.
Mrs Osborne, Director of Safeguarding
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
With the World Cup underway, 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 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
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.