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, Create and Make room and a newly furbished (May 2024) soft play 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 in November 2023; to include additional clubs such as Bush Craft, Dance and Duke of Edinburgh. Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) was relaunched in January 2024, 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 Reading, 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 will continue into 2024/25.

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. However, due to demand for school places we are currently working with Durham County Council to identify and provide an additional site for our Post 16 provision.

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 pupils.

More information can be found about our SEND report, SEND provision and the teaching, learning and curriculumin 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 supports your young person 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

December 2024

OUR NEWS

  • NEW Autumn & Winter Menu:Dear Parents and Carers, When we return to school after Half Term on Monday 3rd November 2025, we will be starting our new Autumn & Winter school meal menu. As always we are following a 3 week rotational menu - which is attached to this notice. Pupils who have Special Diets will soon receive their menus individually, and will need to be returned to school as soon as possible. Please download a copy of the menu for future reference. If your child is currently on packed lunch, but would like to change to school meals, please call the school office to arrange this. Also please note, if you would like to swap over onto packed lunches at any time during the school year, please also let us know as soon as possible to prevent any un necessary charges. Many thanks

    October 13th, 2025

    NEW Autumn & Winter Menu:

    Dear Parents and Carers,

    When we return to school after Half Term on Monday 3rd November 2025, we will be starting our new Autumn & Winter school meal menu.

    As always we are following a 3 week rotational menu - which is attached to this notice.

    Pupils who have Special Diets will soon receive their menus individually, and will need to be returned to school as soon as possible.

    Please download a copy of the menu for future reference.

    If your child is currently on packed lunch, but would like to change to school meals, please call the school office to arrange this.

    Also please note, if you would like to swap over onto packed lunches at any time during the school year, please also let us know as soon as possible to prevent any un necessary charges.

    Many thanks


    Durham Trinity AW 25 Main Menu.pdf
  • IHCP Forms:Dear parents and carers,   Your young person may soon be bringing home a blank IHCP form. As a matter of urgency, please can you complete this form including as much information as possible. It is essential school holds the most up to date information about your child in the event of any emergency and to manage their health needs.  Even if your child does not have a diagnosed medical condition, I would strongly recommend you still complete and return the form as it requests information such as GP contact details and other support requirements. Some of you may remember completing one in previous years, however, it is best practice for us to get annual updates so all information is current. This will enable us to provide the best health care for your child whilst they are at school.    If you have any questions or queries regarding this form, please contact school and ask to speak with myself, or Sara Medland.   Kind regards,    Mr Jack Peacock

    September 29th, 2025

    IHCP Forms:
    Dear parents and carers,
     
    Your young person may soon be bringing home a blank IHCP form. As a matter of urgency, please can you complete this form including as much information as possible.
    It is essential school holds the most up to date information about your child in the event of any emergency and to manage their health needs.  Even if your child does not have a diagnosed medical condition, I would strongly recommend you still complete and return the form as it requests information such as GP contact details and other support requirements.
    Some of you may remember completing one in previous years, however, it is best practice for us to get annual updates so all information is current. This will enable us to provide the best health care for your child whilst they are at school. 
     
    If you have any questions or queries regarding this form, please contact school and ask to speak with myself, or Sara Medland.
     
    Kind regards, 
     
    Mr Jack Peacock

  • Children in Need Lunch Menu invitation - for pupils who have a Packed Lunch:Dear Parent/Carer, ** We are holding a second special menu day in November. ** As your child currently brings a packed lunch into school, we would like to take this opportunity to invite them to join us for this year’s Children in Need Lunch on Friday 14th November 2025.For pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, they are entitled to Universal Free Infant School Meals (UFISM), and pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals would not need to pay for their Dinner.All other pupils who would like to have a Children in Need Meal would need to pay £2.95 via Arbor Payments.Please complete the form using the link below by Friday 10th October 2025 please.  Note: If your child is already on school meals, you do not need to complete this form.  https://forms.office.com/e/Cs3QiqgeJ3 If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office.There is still time to also choose to have a Halloween Lunch - Please see a previous notice and choose the separate link to bookYours sincerely,C PalmerCaroline Palmer Senior Administrative Assistant

    September 24th, 2025

    Children in Need Lunch Menu invitation - for pupils who have a Packed Lunch:
    Dear Parent/Carer,

    ** We are holding a second special menu day in November. ** 

    As your child currently brings a packed lunch into school, we would like to take this opportunity to invite them to join us for this year’s Children in Need Lunch on Friday 14th November 2025.

    For pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, they are entitled to Universal Free Infant School Meals (UFISM), and pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals would not need to pay for their Dinner.

    All other pupils who would like to have a Children in Need Meal would need to pay £2.95 via Arbor Payments.

    Please complete the form using the link below by Friday 10th October 2025 please. 

    Note: If your child is already on school meals, you do not need to complete this form.

    If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

    There is still time to also choose to have a Halloween Lunch - Please see a previous notice and choose the separate link to book
    Yours sincerely,

    C Palmer

    Caroline Palmer

    Senior Administrative Assistant


  • Halloween Lunch Menu invitation - for pupils who have a Packed Lunch:Dear Parent/Carer, As your child currently brings a packed lunch into school, we would like to take this opportunity to invite them to join us for this year’s Halloween Lunch on Friday 24th October 2025.For pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, they are entitled to Universal Free Infant School Meals (UFISM), and pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals would not need to pay for their Dinner.All other pupils who would like to have a Halloween Meal would need to pay £2.95 via Arbor Payments.Please complete the form using the link below by Friday 3rd October 2025 please. Note: If your child is already on school meals, you do not need to complete this form. https://forms.office.com/e/Mqtpi66QAA  If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office.Yours sincerely,C PalmerCaroline Palmer Senior Administrative Assistant

    September 16th, 2025

    Halloween Lunch Menu invitation - for pupils who have a Packed Lunch:
    Dear Parent/Carer,

    As your child currently brings a packed lunch into school, we would like to take this opportunity to invite them to join us for this year’s Halloween Lunch on Friday 24th October 2025.

    For pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, they are entitled to Universal Free Infant School Meals (UFISM), and pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals would not need to pay for their Dinner.

    All other pupils who would like to have a Halloween Meal would need to pay £2.95 via Arbor Payments.

    Please complete the form using the link below by Friday 3rd October 2025 please. Note: If your child is already on school meals, you do not need to complete this form.


    If you have any other queries please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
    Yours sincerely,

    C Palmer

    Caroline Palmer

    Senior Administrative Assistant


  • 🌟 EHCP Annual Review Meetings – Important Reminder 🌟 Dear Parents and Carers, As we begin our EHCP Annual Review season, we’d like to kindly remind you that review meetings cannot be rescheduled. This is due to the teaching commitments of our SENCOs and the high number of learners requiring reviews across the school. We understand that attending in person may not always be possible, so we’re pleased to offer alternative ways to contribute: 💻 Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams 📝 Complete and return the Parent Contribution Form included in your review pack 📞 Arrange an update call with your child’s class teacher 📌 If you have specific concerns, you’re welcome to request a call with the relevant SENCO Please also note that some reviews may be scheduled earlier than expected, especially for learners in transitional year groups: Nursery 2, Year 2, Year 6, Year 11, Year 13/14 For learners in Years 11, 13, and 14, a caseworker will be invited to attend the review. If you feel a caseworker should be present for your child’s review, please contact the relevant SENCO and we will inform the Local Authority accordingly. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. Warm regards, SENCO's  Brian Brown - EYFS & Primary Phase Claire Taylor - Secondary & Post 16 Phase

    September 16th, 2025

    🌟 EHCP Annual Review Meetings – Important Reminder 🌟 Dear Parents and Carers, As we begin our EHCP Annual Review season, we’d like to kindly remind you that review meetings cannot be rescheduled. This is due to the teaching commitments of our SENCOs and the high number of learners requiring reviews across the school. We understand that attending in person may not always be possible, so we’re pleased to offer alternative ways to contribute: 💻 Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams 📝 Complete and return the Parent Contribution Form included in your review pack 📞 Arrange an update call with your child’s class teacher 📌 If you have specific concerns, you’re welcome to request a call with the relevant SENCO Please also note that some reviews may be scheduled earlier than expected, especially for learners in transitional year groups: Nursery 2, Year 2, Year 6, Year 11, Year 13/14 For learners in Years 11, 13, and 14, a caseworker will be invited to attend the review. If you feel a caseworker should be present for your child’s review, please contact the relevant SENCO and we will inform the Local Authority accordingly. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education. Warm regards, SENCO's  Brian Brown - EYFS & Primary Phase Claire Taylor - Secondary & Post 16 Phase

OUR EVENTS

  • Halloween Meal

    October 24th, 2025

    Halloween Themed School Menu


  • Autumn Half Term

    October 27th, 2025

    Autumn Half Term


  • Children in Need Day and Menu

    November 14th, 2025

    Children in Need Day and themed school menu


  • Spring Half Term

    February 23rd, 2026

    Spring Half Term


  • Staff Training Day

    April 2nd, 2026

    Staff Training Day


×

NEW Autumn & Winter Menu

Dear Parents and Carers,

When we return to school after Half Term on Monday 3rd November 2025, we will be starting our new Autumn & Winter school meal menu.

As always we are following a 3 week rotational menu - which is attached to this notice.

Pupils who have Special Diets will soon receive their menus individually, and will need to be returned to school as soon as possible.

Please download a copy of the menu for future reference.

If your child is currently on packed lunch, but would like to change to school meals, please call the school office to arrange this.

Also please note, if you would like to swap over onto packed lunches at any time during the school year, please also let us know as soon as possible to prevent any un necessary charges.

Many thanks

October 13th, 2025 / March 31st, 2026