Durham High School closing?

[Wegovygirl]

Can anyone confirm? Rumour mill is doing the rounds that Durham High is closing. I have 2 children there and worried sick.

As an ex teacher who knows Durham well, I am so sorry you are going through this. It is an awful situation to be in. The students and staff deserve more. I think Yarm and Barnard Castle both offer bus services to Durham if you think the logistics of getting to Newcastle are too much (I’ve commuted by car and train/metro and it is a lot. I’ve done Yarm too and it’s easier because of the traffic). I’d also look round Fram. It’s never had the reputation of DJ but I rate it for different reasons. You probably would have a better chance of getting in.

Good luck, it’s a horrid situation to be in, particularly at this time of year.

Although I am hoping the rumours are untrue about the closure!!
I have had to think of a plan for my two children attending DHS, I was looking and doing research yesterday and live near Sunderland so contacted Argyle House School who had offered me a tour next week, looks to be a good option for my two from speaking to them. There seems to be a few options in the area so fingers crossed we all find a new school for our children and they can settle.

Even if the rumours are untrue still unsure if looking for a new school might be for the best...

It's just so sad. I am guessing the press haven't got wind of this as it would be all over the news I think. Just hope everyone concerned gets answers quickly. They will be breaking up for summer soon I guess too.

It is really sad!

We moved our daughter from Durham to Yarm School and we love it! So many more opportunities and a lovely friendly atmosphere. My daughter settled straight away and is really happy. They have started a Durham bus route too.

RGS is also a really lovely school with great facilities and you can get there on the train but it just wasn’t practical for us.

Going to sports fixtures around the region was a great indicator for us. Schools that are doing well are investing and improving facilities whereas some schools look tired and are definitely cutting back which is worrying.

Just consider all your options and hopefully you find the right fit / DHS doesn’t close.

Indeed, its the not knowing for everyone. At least Malvern had notice..
Education for the children and the staff at risk of loosing jobs just makes me feel sick for everyone concerned.

It’s been struggling for a long time. The accounts show that unfortunately.

Durham has three private schools - Durham, Durham High and IGS Durham. Alongside Durham Johnston whose catchment area is bigger than it has been for a v long time plus St Leonard’s with a brilliant reputation and a brand new build and Framwellgate having a new school built for next year.

There is a lot of choice, falling pupil numbers (due to lower birth rates and higher home schooling rates) and cost of living making parents struggle and the schools struggle. One of the schools probably will go and I think it’s likely to be Durham High and soon.

I think Yarm saw this coming and have heavily advertised their ‘new Durham - yarm bus’ At least year 11 are through their exams but very tough for year 10s.

Sad to read this - I live in East Anglia now but am a DHS “old girl”…

The school really need to make a statement as the uncertainty is making things worse. I would be concerned that if there is a snap closure next academic year and pupils have to find alternative provision with no notice. It's a bit like a run on a bank. If everyone pulls their money the bank fails.

It concerns me to read that Michelle hasn't returned. I don't know anything and I'm not trying to imply anything but I would have thought that if Michelle was unwell then the school would have issued a statement to that effect.

Often silence is louder than words.

Similarly Nick Grenfell Marten is showing on the website as chairman of the board but companies house suggests he has left the business (for sadly that's what it is).

Also it is concerning to see that the galaxy global website has not been accessible for several days and has been placed into maintenance mode.

I don't know if this is possible but it's suggest parents pay the fees or part of the fees by credit card to get some section 75 protection.

I know an ex teacher from there, went to a state school (more money!) he says that there are too many private school places there for the local demographics

The pay (and pension) at DHS compares extremely poorly to the state sector. The recently advertised physics post was remunerated approx £20k below what would be expected for a similar full time post in the state sector together with a better pension in the state sector.

That is shocking. In the past it would have been seen as poaching, and not acceptable behaviour. It is different, of course, after a school has announced closure… It would then be seen as helping.

It’s so sad. My children aren’t at DHS but I know children who are. Such a worry. Like has already been said Yarm seem to be investing heavily and bursting at the seams.
Teesside high another local school also seem to be struggling unfortunately.

NHSG is a fabulous school, I hope your daughter will love it!

By shocking behaviour, I was referring to Yarm’s advertising of a bus service from Durham. Probably doing the same thing to Teesside HS.

To be honest I'd see that as competition between competing businesses. I'm sure some of the DHS bus services encroach on the patch of other schools

May I ask what was said please? I just noticed the weekly notices switched to Laura at the end of May.

It was mentioned by Laira in the first newsletter she introduced

Just seen the note on June 5th newsletter

It said she was unwell, wished her a speedy recovery and to give her the space she needs to rest

Some of these posters certainly aren’t helping matters, and with a certain sense of glee (which was often the case with DHS).
There is a huge difference between busing children round Co Durham and taking them to Yarm.
The alternative schools are undoubtedly very good but fighting too. Whoever heard of Central High / NHS being able to accommodate a whole group of DHS girls !!

Teesside High and Yarm School are at opposite ends of Yarm High Street. They can’t be more than a mile or two apart, and they’ll be taking pupils from the same geographical area. Yarm School doesn’t need to lay on extra buses to attract pupils from Teesside High.

I’d agree though that Yarm’s quite a commute from Durham.

We went to visit DHS for a potential nursery place. I asked the lady showing us around about security of the school remaining open, pupil numbers etc. She just replies by stating how they have 12 registered for September for reception and how they currently have 6.

We were shown around the lower part of the school and here were barely any students. It was so quiet.

Sent a follow up email regarding their curriculum 2 days ago and have had no response.

I think they’ve reached a point where it doesn’t matter whether the rumours were true initially, their inability to reassure people speaks volumes.

Parents / prospective parents needed a meeting and reassurances; many have already started looking for alternatives in September. It’s such a shame.

My daughter has been and looked around Barnard Castle School today, which was lovely, so I think that will be the plan for one.