A SCHOOL has started its second year with three times the number of students it had on its opening day a year ago.
Pupil numbers at The Durham Free School have tripled as its second year group started this week, while the staff team has also grown by five.
The school opened last September to serve the communities to the south east of Durham city, following a campaign by parents, local educationalists and other supporters.
With a plan to grow over time, it began with 30 Year 7 students at the former premises of Durham Gilesgate Sports College.
Now Year 8, the original group, has grown to 36 children, while 55 students have formed the new term’s Year 7, divided into two classes.
Two new full time teachers – David Hagon and Nicola McGowan – have started along with a full time teaching assistant Jonathan Clark, a part-time design and technology technician Ken Smith, a part-time librarian Susan Eisner and a part-time clerical assistant Natalie Rippon.
The school’s part-time PE teacher Rob Baldwin has become full time, having taken on additional responsibility as senior learning support assistant, and the school has a new part-time music teacher Jo Hunter.
Headteacher Peter Cantley said: “Our new term has got off to a fantastic start and all our new students and staff have settled in very well. There is a real buzz around school and it’s great to hear more voices and activity in the classrooms. There is a great sense of anticipation and expectation with the beginning of this new school year.
“It’s extremely encouraging that we are growing as word is spreading that The Durham Free School is a good school and parents are seeing the benefits of smaller class sizes and an ethos that values every child.”
The school does still not need to use all of the Gilesgate premises, but it has taken over three more classrooms on the first floor, dedicated to maths, music and English, and has expanded the art and design and technology space.
Mr Hagon, a former head of maths at Newcastle Sixth Form College, said: “It is exciting to be involved at this early stage. The ethos is very similar to a school I helped set up in Manchester and, as well as living close by in Durham, that attracted me to join The Durham Free School.”
The new intake of pupils come from Bowburn, Coxhoe, Kelloe and Cassop, as well as Spennymoor, Croxdale and Tudhoe.
New student Kate Parnaby, 11, of Bowburn, said: “My mam put me down for this school because it looked like a good school. So far it’s been really good, I’m really enjoying it.”
Regan Williams, 11, of Quarrington Hill, added: “I have lots of friends here and it’s really good. On my first morning we had assembly and did science and geography.”
Bradley Walters, 11 of Bowburn, added: “I wanted to come here because my best mate Regan was coming. I really like the blazer, it makes me feel smart.”
The Free School was established with a long-term plan to be based closer to families to the south east of Durham. The Department for Education is expected to make an announcement soon regarding its future, permanent location.