The time has almost arrived for you to meet your child’s future caregivers and educators! Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to ask any questions you may have, get to know the staff members and see what life at Duke’s is all about. The Open Evening will be held on:
Wednesday 1st October 2025 at 4-6pm.
Discover what to expect with the transition period from Primary to Secondary and ask any personal queries you have regarding the school curriculum, educational opportunities, extra-curricular activities and pastoral support. The open evening will give you the information required to understand how you can best support your child in their move up to Secondary School. There will also be lots of fun and exciting things happening regarding each subject and your child will be given their very own ‘Passport’ and ‘Boarding Pass’ to welcome them aboard the bright journey into Year 7.
We hope all of our families enjoy the evening!
Click here to read more information on how to secure your child’s future at Duke’s Secondary School.
At James Knott, we believe that children’s thoughts and questions are powerful – and that creativity is a wonderful way to explore them. This year, every single child in school, from our youngest 2-year-olds all the way up to Year 6, took part in the Spirited Arts 2025 competition.
Spirited Arts is all about asking big questions and expressing big ideas through art. Children across the school used paint, clay, drawing, collage and more to share what they believe, feel and wonder about the world, themselves and something bigger.
What Did We Explore?
Each class focused on a special theme designed to spark deep thinking and creativity. These themes helped children think about faith, belief, nature, and what makes us all unique—and connected.
All God’s Creatures
Some children explored the beauty and wonder of animals and nature. Year 5 created artwork celebrating the Earth and the amazing creatures we share it with, while Year 6 focused closely on one animal, drawing it in four different ways to show its strength, beauty, and spirit. Our 2-year-olds also enjoyed this theme, using colours and textures to celebrate the animals they love.
Living in a Diverse World
Nursery and Reception children thought about how we are all different – our families, our homes, our beliefs – but we are also connected by love, kindness, and community. Their artwork showed what it means to live, learn and grow together in a diverse world.
Sacred Spaces
In Years 1 and 2, children explored what makes a place feel special or sacred. Year 1 focused on symbols and feelings – what colours, shapes and details help us feel calm and peaceful. Year 2 imagined peeking through a keyhole into a sacred space, sometimes a place of worship, other times a quiet spot in nature. Their art captured that magical feeling of stillness, safety and connection.
Thinking About God
Years 3 and 4 tackled some really big questions: What do you think about when you think of the word “God”? Where is God? Is God a creator? Year 3 made beautiful clay models inspired by these questions and the story of creation. Year 4 used colour, patterns and symbols to explore the idea of God as Creator and the awe we feel when we look at nature and the world around us.
What Is Spirituality?
This project wasn’t just about making art – it was about exploring spirituality. For some children, spirituality means thinking about God or faith. For others, it’s about nature, family, love or that feeling of peace you get in a special place. It’s about asking questions like:
What matters most to me?
What makes me feel wonder or joy?
How do I connect with others or with the world?
Spirited Arts gave our children space to think deeply, share their beliefs, listen to each other and express their ideas in creative and powerful ways. It was thoughtful, imaginative and full of heart.
What Our Pupils Said:
“I think God might be like light—everywhere but different for everyone.” – Year 4 pupil
“This place is special because it makes me feel calm.” – Year 2 pupil
“My animal drawing shows that animals are important too, not just people.” – Year 6 pupil
We’re incredibly proud of every child who took part. Their artwork shows how even our youngest learners can reflect on life’s biggest questions – and how art, faith, and imagination can come together in magical ways.
We are delighted to announce that we have achieved the School Games Bronze Mark Award for the 2022/23 academic year.
The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012, facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community, and we are delighted to have been recognised for our success.
Our sporting achievements this year include taking part in football tournaments, new age kurling and boccia competitions and lots of different sporting events such as gymnastics, skipping, rugby and multi-sports.
We are extremely proud of our pupils for their dedication to all aspects of school sport, including those young volunteers, leaders and officials who made all of our competitions and events possible.
As part of our application, we were asked to fulfil criteria in the areas of participation, competition, workforce and clubs, and we are pleased that the hard work of everyone at our school has been rewarded this year!
Last week our Year 3 children joined all the other Year 3 classes from across the Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust for a Miner’s Picnic as part of their local history enquiry. They took part in a parade with our school proggy mats, joined in with some traditional singing and even got to watch a Punch and Judy show!
Thank you to everyone who supported our school fair on Thursday and to all of the volunteers and staff who made this possible. Special thanks to the local coastguard, fire service and Sue from The country Trust who gave up their time to join us. We are delighted to announce that with your support we raised ÂŁ1,325.12. This will go towards new play equipment as we begin to develop our outdoor provision. Watch out for stage 1 in September!
This week our school football team played their last match of the season. This is the first year we have had our own school team represented in the East Northumberland U11 7-a-side football league and the children all played really well. We are very proud of them all! Thank you to all the teachers and parents for their support after school at the matches too!
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