What Our Parents Say - Durrington High School

We are very proud of our son’s effort and determination in working towards his GCSEs and are grateful for your support. We can honestly say that the staff at Durrington have actively encouraged him to believe in himself, aim high and work hard to meet his potential. Thank you!

I wanted to send you an email to thank you and the rest of the Year 7 team for what has been a brilliant transition experience so far. For both our son and us as parents.

We have been so impressed with the kindness and consideration shown and the best interest of the children is clearly at the heart of all decision making.

Our son and his friends are so happy with their tutor groups and I am very impressed with the number of children on their buddy lists that you were able match up.

Our son is feeling so excited and confident about his start at DHS. And whilst of course we anticipate there may be some wobbles along the way, especially initially, it is clear that he is looking forward to this exciting next chapter in his education.

Thank you again Durrington High School – you’re amazing!

I wanted to provide some feedback about the exceptional support from your team. My husband and I are foster carers for children seeking asylum and we both firmly believe in how important education is to their foundations of emotional well being and ability to secure a successful future in the UK.

Three of our young people have gone on to London Universities and we always encourage our young people at home to work hard at school. They are great role models to show how important their education is. We have also helped our other young people secure apprenticeships and go onto higher education at College.

You have looked after three of our foster children and the care and support is outstanding by your team. This team provides such child focussed care and support and always have their best interests at heart as well as enthusiasm to ensure they have the best opportunity to individually excel.

Our children are a success in all of their dreams because of the team behind them and who support us.

We are both so impressed with the support our young people receive and we also think it’s a wonderful idea about your post 16 provision.

I just wanted to thank your incredible team and to let you know how much we value them all.

We are absolutely delighted and in awe of our daughter’s achievements so far. It is very encouraging for her to receive these emails (from the school) and it really keeps her motivated. She wants to do well and achieve high grades in her exams.

We really appreciate everything Durrington, as a school, and all the teachers involved, are doing to help her.

I wanted to congratulate the staff and pupils who put on the Christmas show this evening, what an amazing set of talented young people who all obviously enjoyed sharing their talents. I can only sing the praises of the school at the way they have welcomed my granddaughter into year 7. The teachers and SENCO team have been amazing from the beginning when she had time to be introduced to the school before starting, making the transition from junior to senior smoother. To see her smiling and happy with a couple of friends made my heart sing and was the best gift ever.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff at Durrington High, especially those who teach my daughter. She is coming home saying some wonderful things about her teachers and has said the lessons are so much more grown up at high school and she is enjoying them very much.

I am a parent of a student at The Laurels Primary School and I wanted to send you a quick note to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for the recent Sports Day event organised by Durrington High School and, more importantly, the fantastic behaviour and encouragement displayed by the pupils. The enthusiasm and support exhibited by the students was truly infectious, making it a memorable day for all participants and spectators alike. The efforts put in by the pupils in demonstrating good sportsmanship and camaraderie throughout the day were truly heartwarming. It was evident that the students had been inspired and encouraged by their teachers, as they displayed remarkable teamwork, determination, and respect towards the young students. As a parent, I know that I would feel immensely proud if one of my children had been one of the sports captains who helped out at this event. Moreover, the inclusivity and consideration shown by the older students towards the younger ones during the various activities were truly touching. The way they guided and motivated the younger ones to do their best exemplifies a strong sense of community across DMAT. Please convey my heartfelt appreciation to all the teachers, staff, and students involved in making this Sports Day a resounding success. I know that many other parents have commented on what a fantastic event it was for both schools.

I’m a parent of one of The Laurels students.

I just wanted to send an email letting you know how wonderful today’s sports day was.

I also wanted to especially thank the Durrington sports captains and commend their amazing behaviour and support for all the children.

My little boy said his favourite part of the day was the cricket and that when the Durrington High school student said to him ‘I’ve heard you are really good batter’ it gave him so much confidence and encouragement that he then really put all his effort into it and he felt so proud when managing to hit the ball so well.

Thank you so much for all that you and your staff are doing to encourage such wonderful and positive behaviour and morals in your students.

I wanted to let you know my child’s house team have been AMAZING. This week we’ve had a really rough time, the staff have supported my child SO well. Honestly, I’m blown away!

I attended parents evening tonight for my daughter. I just wanted to pass on my thanks to you and your excellent staff. They were knowledgeable and detailed about her personality and were so encouraging to her. In a school as big as Durrington having the personal touch is so important and you manage it. It’s so reassuring to know that she is in such great hands. My son has just finished his exams with the school and it has been wonderful how you have helped him grow and he is now ready for college.

I just wanted to say thank you for a lovely parents evening. It was really nice to meet so many of my son’s teachers and they were all so positive and clearly love what they do. I appreciate all the hard work you all do to support and help our children grow and learn to the best of their abilities. Looking forward to seeing him strive further in year 8 and beyond.

My younger daughter is so happy at Durrington and her older sister is too. She had anxiety in her previous school and her confidence was at an all-time low. She is doing so well at High School and they have been amazing. There is a Pastoral Leader in each House and they all get to know the children. Communication has been great and I just love the school.

Year 7 Kindness Challenge, what a positive and caring way for the children to start at Durrington.

People are quick to complain so I wanted to compliment you and thank you for the hard work and effort that you gave to my son.

Me, my children and my sister came to the open evening tonight, we were shown around by a year 10 boy called Dylan and I just wanted to say a massive thank you and what a credit to your school he is. Not only did he have the patience of a saint with an over excited 10-year old and my crazy 2-year old, he was well mannered, polite and went into detail about everything. So, thank you very much to him and the rest of the staff and students who worked so hard tonight. What a lovely school you have.

I attended the open evening last week with my husband and son and just wanted to give you some feedback. After the presentation we went around some classrooms and had some interactions with students. I just wanted to let you know of the particular kindness from a student called Erin who was working in the computer science room, she was so wonderfully helpful with my son. He was a little nervous and she was really good with him and explained everything really concisely and put him at ease for the rest of our time at the school. Following the presentation I know that kindness is one of the school values so thought this was worth a mention, and to pass along my thanks to her.

I wanted to send you an email to let you know how impressed we are with the school and the staff, in particular Miss Vaughan. My child has had problems since he started in September but Miss Vaughan has been an amazing support to us and my child. Nothing has been too much trouble. Unfortunately, things came to a head recently when some of his so-called friends took the bullying online. Again, Miss Vaughan has been amazing, she got our child moved to a new form within 48 hours and came to meet him as he was anxious and nervous. Since our child moved form less than a week ago, he is like a different child and seems happy and settled. Now I feel he can really start his Durrington journey.

Can I please say a big thank you to the leadership team. They have been a big support to my son and his challenges. I know I was very critical of previous staff but I do want to share how amazing the leadership team have been. It’s made a huge difference as my son feels he can approach them when he’s struggling. Previously my son would say he was unwell and avoid school. Staff have organised, with consent, counselling for my son and continue to provide a safe space for him and it’s really appreciated so thank you.

I just wanted to give you feedback on the Year 9 parents evening that I attended last night with my daughter. We had not, at this point, completed the online options form.

Well, what a wonderful evening we had, all the teachers I met were so enthusiastic and explained her strengths and weaknesses clearly. They said such lovely comments about her, and at one point I was holding back tears (Mr Veness – maths – what an awesome teacher).

We were quite unsure of what subjects she was going to decide on, especially as she is super creative and would have liked all 3 to be in the arts/creative area.
I was able to speak to the textiles teacher – Mr Bloomer – even though I didn’t have an appointment. He welcomed us and explained the course. I was concerned about the lack of having a sewing machines and he reassured us that it would be fine, whilst showing us some of the amazing work in textiles. Option 1 done.

It was super to have a table with Mr Allison on and other members of staff as I felt I could just pop over and ask a few questions that had popped into my mind during the evening.

We had a lovely appointment with Drama – Ms Budd – and when we were undecided on the next option the head of drama was called over, spent time with us, and the 2 teachers – together – explained the elements involved in the GCSE to my daughter and how it crossed over with textiles. Option 2 done.

The last appointment was geography where we were met with a very happy teacher after she told him she would like to take that subject too. (Mr Atkins).

Can I just say that Miss Maughan – my daughter’s tutor – is such an asset to your school. She immediately responds to any emails I send to her and is so encouraging and supportive.

Thank-you so much for all the support and opportunities you are giving to my daughter. We actually completed the form whilst attending the evening!