OUR CURRICULUM

PARENTS AND CARERS

KEY INFORMATION

WELCOME TO DURHAM TRINITY SCHOOL AND SPORTS COLLEGE

WELCOME TO DURHAM TRINITY SCHOOL AND SPORTS COLLEGE

Welcome to Durham Trinity School and Sports College. We are a generic special school educating pupils 2-19 years of age, who are autistic or have profound, moderate, severe or complex learning difficulties. Some pupils also have additional medical, physical, sensory, linguistic or behavioural challenges. All pupils at Durham Trinity School and Sports College have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).

We are situated on the outskirts of Durham City Centre. Durham Trinity is a relatively new purpose-built school, we are continuously adapting the physical environment to ensure we are meeting the changing needs of the school population. During the summer holidays (2023) we added an additional classroom in our specialist autistic provision, by removing our science lab, because there is no longer a formal pathway at Durham Trinity School. The pupils have access to specialist rooms and facilities such as a sensory room, hydrotherapy pool, food technology, fitness suite and a Create and Make room.

To enhance the curriculum and allow pupils to thrive in their interests and strengths, whilst encouraging them to take risks, we relaunched our Friday afternoon enrichment activities last November; to include additional clubs such as Bush Craft, Dance and Duke of Edinburgh. Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) was relaunched in January this year, which led to the appointment of a Play Lead to develop the school grounds, resource provision, support staff development whilst ensuring health and safety is followed.

In May 2023 we launched our new Curriculum Toolkit to support the delivery of our 3-curriculum pathways to ensure the needs of the diverse school population are met academically, emotionally and physically; whilst providing challenge and support to ensure they are prepared for the next stage in their development, and preparing them for life. Please click on this link to access more information about our Curriculum; including Careers, Relationship Sex Education (RSE) and Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC).

We are a Sports College, providing an excellent provision that develops pupils’ physical skills and mental wellbeing, educating them about leading a healthy lifestyle, whilst having fun! Pupils have opportunities to access non-competitive and competitive sporting activities throughout the school year. In 2022-23 we introduced our Gifted and Talented Sports Group who access additional PE lessons, experiencing different sports with a number of specialist coaches and staff. This provision has continued into 2023/24.

We provide a Further Education Unit (FEU- Post 16) on site where the excellent provision continues until they are 19 years of age. The students have access to their own common room with many opportunities to access the community, to prepare them for their next stage in life.

Our greatest resource is the staff. They are supportive and highly skilled in SEND, supporting pupils throughout the school day to ensure they achieve their goals and become as independent as possible. Together with pupils, families and other agencies, we work together to ensure the best outcomes for our pupil

More information can be found about our SEND report, SEND provision and the teaching, learning and curriculum in the SEND section on the website. Also available in Key Information is specific staff to contact if you require further information or support whilst your young person attends Durham Trinity. Please click on the link to see our Key Information page.

There is a new section on our website to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing, click on the link here to explore this web page which signposts young people, parent and carers to additional information.

For parents/carers considering our school as a future option for their young person, you are encouraged to contact school and make arrangements to visit our school. We would be delighted to meet you and answer any queries you may have, whilst there is further information in Key Information; School Admissions.

For existing parents/carers, we hope the website gives you additional information about the curriculum and support your young person accesses whilst attending Durham Trinity School and Sports College.

If you require a paper copy of any of the policies or documents that are on our website, please contact Louise Hindmarch at the school office on 0191 386 4612.

Mrs Rachel Grimwood

Headteacher

April 2024

OUR NEWS

  • Summer Fayre 2024Save the date Durham Trinity School 🌞Summer Fayre Date: 20th July 2024   Venue: Durham Trinity School   Time: 10am - 1pm   We need your help! We can all help to make the fayre a success in all sorts of ways.   Please return the slip attached to school by 5th July if you are able to help.     Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Summer Fayre. Summer Fayre Committee.

    June 27th, 2024

    Summer Fayre 2024
    Save the date
    Durham Trinity School 🌞Summer Fayre
    Date: 20th July 2024   Venue: Durham Trinity School   Time: 10am - 1pm
     
    We need your help!
    We can all help to make the fayre a success in all sorts of ways.
     
    Please return the slip attached to school by 5th July if you are able to help.  
     
    Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Summer Fayre.
    Summer Fayre Committee.

    SUMMER FAYRE Letter 2024.pdf
  • Summer Fayre 2024Save the date Durham Trinity School 🌞Summer Fayre Date: 20th July 2024   Venue: Durham Trinity School   Time: 10am - 1pm   We need your help! We can all help to make the fayre a success in all sorts of ways.   Please return the slip attached to school by 5th July if you are able to help.     Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Summer Fayre. Summer Fayre Committee.

    June 27th, 2024

    Summer Fayre 2024
    Save the date
    Durham Trinity School 🌞Summer Fayre
    Date: 20th July 2024   Venue: Durham Trinity School   Time: 10am - 1pm
     
    We need your help!
    We can all help to make the fayre a success in all sorts of ways.
     
    Please return the slip attached to school by 5th July if you are able to help.  
     
    Thank you for all your support and we look forward to seeing you at the Summer Fayre.
    Summer Fayre Committee.

  • Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for Irregular Attendance at SchoolDear Parents and Carers,   Please find attached important information regarding Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for Irregular Attendance at School that has been produced by Durham County Council following changes made to the DfE statutory guidance. This will come into effect from the 1st September 2024.  Whilst allowing you to view the attached leaflet, I would also like to draw your attention to some significant changes which you may find more noticeable into the future: From 1st September 2024 a FPN may be issued if there are 5 days / 10 sessions of absence in a period of 10 school weeks where absence has not been authorised. Previously in the Durham Local Authority this was 7 days / 14 sessions of absence in a period of 12 school weeks. There is also an introduction of a Two Penalty Notice limit. From 1st September 2024, only 2 penalty notices can be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within a 3 year rolling period and any second notice within that period is charged at a higher rate: The first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days. A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of issue of the first. This may result in legal action being taken (e.g. prosecution) and could lead to a fine of £2,500, and/or a community order or imprisonment of up to 3 months. As all parent/carers will be aware, the Headteacher will only grant a leave of absence during term time where there are exceptional circumstances and this will continue to be the case from 1st September 2024.    If you require any additional information of have any questions, please contact the main office and I will get back to you.   Yours sincerely, Mr Jack Peacock  Assistant Headteacher - Attendance Lead  

    June 25th, 2024

    Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for Irregular Attendance at School

    Dear Parents and Carers,

     

    Please find attached important information regarding Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) for Irregular Attendance at School that has been produced by Durham County Council following changes made to the DfE statutory guidance.

    This will come into effect from the 1st September 2024. 

    Whilst allowing you to view the attached leaflet, I would also like to draw your attention to some significant changes which you may find more noticeable into the future:

    • From 1st September 2024 a FPN may be issued if there are 5 days / 10 sessions of absence in a period of 10 school weeks where absence has not been authorised. Previously in the Durham Local Authority this was 7 days / 14 sessions of absence in a period of 12 school weeks.
    • There is also an introduction of a Two Penalty Notice limit. From 1st September 2024, only 2 penalty notices can be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within a 3 year rolling period and any second notice within that period is charged at a higher rate:
      • The first penalty notice issued to a parent in respect of a particular pupil will be charged at £160 if paid within 28 days. This will be reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days.
      • A second penalty notice issued to the same parent in respect of the same pupil is charged at a flat rate of £160 if paid within 28 days.
      • A third penalty notice cannot be issued to the same parent in respect of the same child within 3 years of the date of issue of the first. This may result in legal action being taken (e.g. prosecution) and could lead to a fine of £2,500, and/or a community order or imprisonment of up to 3 months.

    As all parent/carers will be aware, the Headteacher will only grant a leave of absence during term time where there are exceptional circumstances and this will continue to be the case from 1st September 2024. 

     

    If you require any additional information of have any questions, please contact the main office and I will get back to you.

     

    Yours sincerely,

    Mr Jack Peacock

     Assistant Headteacher - Attendance Lead

     


    DCC FPN leaflet.pdf
  •   OASES Bushcraft Activities    Over the last 2 weeks pupils from Lambton Class and Neville Class have had the opportunity to try their hand at some bushcraft activities.  Visiting Elemore Hall and working with staff from OASES (Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists), pupils have been engaged in learning how to den build, cook on open fires, using tools to whittle wood and how to set up hammocks.   Thanks to staff from OASES for making this such a fantastic experience.

    March 28th, 2024

    ab347242a22295878e99e2f5a6fe93c3c4b1b955507eea4170c69eb22b35cd07.jpgb01c25efe3beb955a090160dae0fa48c21c308eadd4ba47e0a05d811a197ab44.jpg6e51867c0b71dffe30282e0cf8344136b91c3537bb45e642ded733994ec4fee2.jpg5388a91c381546a181e0df12eee01b36cc772d16a3804d35a8592d387933eeb8.jpg
     
    OASES Bushcraft Activities 
     
    Over the last 2 weeks pupils from Lambton Class and Neville Class have had the opportunity to try their hand at some bushcraft activities.  Visiting Elemore Hall and working with staff from OASES (Outdoor and Sustainability Education Specialists), pupils have been engaged in learning how to den build, cook on open fires, using tools to whittle wood and how to set up hammocks.
     
    Thanks to staff from OASES for making this such a fantastic experience.

  • Neville - Boccia Competition   Pupils from Neville class today attended a Boccia Competition held at Meadowfield Leisure Centre. Organised by Panathlon and ran by Smile Through Sport, pupils faced off against a number of local schools. As always Neville class put in a tremendous performance and were unlucky not to make the semi finals.   A big thank to the organisers and especially Durham 6th Form sports students, who officiated the matches.   Well done Neville Class!!

    March 14th, 2024

    ba294a7de15c31e762a5279331bc84bb27724809ff6664c1d04fe000bee7d390.jpg

    Neville - Boccia Competition
     
    Pupils from Neville class today attended a Boccia Competition held at Meadowfield Leisure Centre. Organised by Panathlon and ran by Smile Through Sport, pupils faced off against a number of local schools. As always Neville class put in a tremendous performance and were unlucky not to make the semi finals.
     
    A big thank to the organisers and especially Durham 6th Form sports students, who officiated the matches.
     
    Well done Neville Class!!

OUR EVENTS

  • Summer 2024

    July 24th, 2024

    Summer holidays, pupils return to school 4th September 


  • Autumn Half Term Holiday

    October 27th, 2024

    Autumn Half Term Holiday


  • Christmas Holiday

    December 23rd, 2024

    Christmas Holiday


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End of Year Letter

Good afternoon,

We are coming to the end of another school year and I have attached an End Of Year letter with some updates.

Thank you again to all parent and carers for your support throughout the year and wish you all an enjoyable summer holidays.

Mrs Rachel Grimwood

Headteacher

 

July 23rd, 2024 / September 3rd, 2024