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.

Did you send to the headmistress@ address? As far as I'm aware that address is also monitored by the admin team so you should have had a response. Michelle has her own separate DHS email address so her current absence should not be a reason for you not receiving a response.

I think it's the silence that is the problem. If all was well I would have expected a statement from the school to ease everyone's fears. Sadly reading between the lines on what Laura has written has only served to increase the worry.

It was the general DHS admissions. I first called, then advised to fill out online form, did this, which I had to chase up, then got a response, sent a follow up email thanking them and asking about curriculum and nothing. The lady who showed us around even mentioned how her daughter was a pupil there

Absolute shame really

Why do internet forums exist? For this purpose. The deputy head has already communicated all she knows.

What I will say though is that the deputy head is doing an absolutely stellar job here in ridiculously difficult circumstances. She put her head up and said to everyone, sorry, Galaxy reneged on their promise to write to everyone, this is the deal as SLT has been told, but Galaxy won't write to anyone to confirm. This isn't about the school's leadership, as Mrs Middleton is doing all she can to relay to parents what she knows. I have huge respect for her basically putting her head above the parapet because she knows that everyone is worried. But Galaxy are keeping key information from the SLT and so SLT are completely in the dark.

I can't think of a worse situation - it's horrible for the families (I'm one of those families) but it's worse for the school staff.

It's not that they won't.

They can't. The powers that be (Galaxy Global 'Education' (yeah right) ) are keeping them completely in the dark.

I just hope everyone gets some news soon. Whilst I absolutely appreciate that parents are worried. As someone with a loved one working there and no certainly on a if they are going to get paid next month or August…. A family to support and a mortgage to pay the extended family are past themselves with worry.

What I do wonder as the Galaxy Global Website is “under maintenance” and companies house directors are doing more ins and out than the hokey- cokey with all those “significant” persons- does this mean all schools they have ownership of are affected perhaps?? hopefully the website will spring back to life and be full of plans for the future of the schools and reassurance that everyone needs..

This hasn't been forgotten about. There are a few parent groups out there that are talking about contributing to a separate teacher & staff fund to help the staff that have given it their absolute all and are wondering where their next pay cheque is coming from. So please tell your loved one that it's going to be okay even if the worst happens. It's a rubbish time, for sure, but parents are fully intent on helping staff with any fallout

They are closing this term and will announce at the last possible moment. Rumours have nothing to do with the closure and it is very sad how in the dark everyone has been. Sad for the staff, pupils and former pupils.

Will pass that on to them, thank you.

Communication would be good maybe on a daily basis for them, even if it’s to say no news I’m afraid today?

What’s your source on this?

as for why I asked the question, I was getting zero response from the school, no replies to emails, promises of calls back and nothing.

I’m sorry, it’s awful but you’ll have answers in a couple of days.

Give over

I just want to pass my heartfelt sympathies on to those who have family members involved. Potentially not being paid for 2 months without the possibility of doing supply is absolutely horrific and shows complete disregard for the teaching staff who have dedicated their lives to the school.

Similarly, the students will potentially be left for two months in limbo, not knowing where they are going to go in September.

I’ve seen this happen in the NE before, but it hasn’t left the staff and students abandoned over the summer without pay or somewhere to go which, in my opinion is unforgivable.

You are in my thoughts.

Northern Echo running a story today

I got a reply from admissions today apologising for the delay and answering my questions. Nothing about any closure

I've just seen the Echo report, so sad to read of the likely closure.
My daughter was there from 2010 and flourished, the teaching and pastoral care was incredible, and the school's single sex status is what initially drew us to it.
I hope the remaining girls and their families find a way through this.

School closes on Friday- it will be students last day tomorrow with staff finishing on Friday.

How do you know this? I’ve had nothing as a parent.

Very sad news. Are they at least paying the staff for July and August?

Thoughts to all affected by this

No, sadly not.

what’s going to happen to all the pupils going into year 7 now? I know kids already on waiting lists for DJ so i can’t see any chances of any students transferring there for September sadly.
very stressful time for families 😢

That's absolutely dreadful the way they have strung everyone along. Absolutely disgraceful. No transparency or respect for the staff students or families.

So the kids will go in tomorrow and be told not to come back on Friday?
How awful if that's true.
Awful for the staff too who won't be paid.

Apparently communication was being sent to parents after their meeting with staff. Horrendous situation for everyone.

Article on the BBC for anyone who doesn't want to do battle with Northern Echo popups.

Durham High School uncertainty leaves pupils 'distressed' - BBC News https://share.google/FCFwFHpMpXuHD57up

I cannot believe this. Now had a letter stating they are closing at the end of the academic year. Those poor staff, the kids are distraught. Why oh why have they left it this late.