Our ‘Light Elite’ student winners enjoyed the inaugural rewards trip with a visit to see Ghostbusters: Afterlife at the Cineworld venue at The Gate, Newcastle.
Thank you to Mr Taylor for organising and the Duke’s staff team for embracing the use of Class charts points for LightElite.
Congratulations Libby Rees who is representing Northumberland SFA U16 football team and they are unbeaten after 2 games this season.
Dear Parents/Carers
Wansbeck Valley Food Bank Collection
The Beacon Team have chosen Wansbeck Valley Food Bank as the charity we would like to support this term. We have chosen them again as they are a local food bank that support many families in our area. Due to the current cost of living crisis, the support they offer is even more valuable. To help support them we are having a collection of goods. This can include things like long-life foods, tinned products, toiletries and items we may buy over Christmas such as, boxes of biscuits, puddings, Christmas crackers or chocolates etc.
If you feel you can help this worthwhile cause, please send any donations into school with your child. Donations can be handed to their form teacher. Please can all donations be at school by the morning of 8th December 2022.
If you have any queries or would like to know more about how you can support or how to access support from the food bank, please get in touch with your child’s Head of Year.
You can also contact Wansbeck Valley Food Bank directly on 07841 908477 or by email on
wansbeckvalleyfoodbank@gmail.com Referrals can also be made via GPs or Socia Services.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely
Andrea Henderson and The Beacon Team
We are really looking forward to welcoming everyone to our open evening tomorrow night. This is a great time to find out about the courses we have on offer for September 2023 and all of the additional opportunities being part of the sixth form at Duke’s could bring.
Duke’s Secondary School is now a National Online Safety Certified School
ncea-dukes-secondary-school-certified-school-certificate-2022-2023 
Duke’s Secondary School has successfully completed a comprehensive online safety training
programme demonstrating its commitment to keeping children and young people safe online.
The school has received a National Online Safety Certified School Accreditation for its whole school community approach to protecting children in the online world.
National Online Safety is a multi-award winning digital training provider with extensive resources in online safety, developed in line with the Department of Education’s statutory requirements.
Its CPD accredited courses and educational resources support UK schools in educating the whole school community in online safety– including all senior leaders, teachers, all school staff and parents – on how to make the internet a safer place for children.
James Southworth, co-founder of National Online Safety, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Duke’s Secondary School on becoming a National Online Safety Certified School. By completing our training programme, the school has shown its strong commitment to implementing an effective whole school approach to online safety.”
“It can be increasingly difficult for schools and parents to stay ahead of online threats and ensure both children and staff are safeguarded from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. We arm schools with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and react in the best way possible to any problems.”
Selwyn Thompson, Assistant Principal at Duke’s Secondary School said: ‘’We are delighted to have been recognised as a National Online Safety Certified School. This award demonstrates our commitment to our staff, students and parents and carers in ensuring that they have on-going access to high-quality teaching, training and resources in the extremely important area of online safety. Online safety awareness is crucial and we continue to be committed to ensuring that opportunity is provided year-round to encourage our students, staff, and parents and carers towards responsible and safe practices when online.’’
Dear Parent/Carer
Year 11 Parents’/Carers Evening and Duke’s Sixth Form Open Evening – Wednesday 2 November 2022
Students in Year 11 will shortly be submitting applications for the courses they wish to study post 16.
To support them with this decision, Duke’s Sixth Form will be holding an Open Evening on Wednesday 2 November 2022 between 4.00pm and 6.00pm. The Open Evening will take place alongside the usual Year 11 Parents’/Carers Evening.
This will give you the opportunity to:-
Discuss your child’s progress and any concerns you may have regarding specific subjects
Speak to the Head of Year and Year 11 Raising Achievement Team
Find out what Duke’s Sixth Form could offer your child in September 2023
Speak with subject staff and current students about courses on offer next year
Receive personal advice from senior staff to ensure the correct post 16 pathway for your child
Speak to our careers team about post 16 options including sixth form, college and
apprenticeships
There are no specific appointment times. You will be given a sheet with locations of staff who teach your child on arrival as well as a copy of the Duke’s Sixth Form interim prospectus.
We look forward to welcoming all parents/carers and students to showcase what Duke’s Sixth Form has to offer.
Yours sincerely
Mrs D Towers
Head of Sixth Form & Careers
Well done to Y11 students Aaran Harry and Jack who represented 
on Saturday. They defeated South Yorkshire in a convincing win.
