diff --git a/common/database_helpers.py b/common/database_helpers.py
index 8fd22ce3..9c83f85b 100644
--- a/common/database_helpers.py
+++ b/common/database_helpers.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import datetime
 import logging
+from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
 
 from sqlalchemy import create_engine, asc, desc
 from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker
@@ -23,6 +24,28 @@ def get_icat_db_session():
     return session
 
 
+class Query(ABC):
+    @abstractmethod
+    def __init__(self, table):
+        self.session = get_icat_db_session()
+        self.table = table
+        self.base_query = self.session.query(table)
+        self.is_limited = False
+
+    @abstractmethod
+    def execute_query(self):
+        pass
+
+    def commit_changes(self):
+        """
+        Commits all changes to the database and closes the session
+        """
+        log.info(f" Commiting changes to {self.table}")
+        self.session.commit()
+        log.info(f" Closing DB session")
+        self.session.close()
+        
+
 def insert_row_into_table(row):
     """
     Insert the given row into its table