10th July 2026

Welcome to our weekly bulletin,

As we finish the penultimate week of term the temperatures have risen faster than the new build. Thank you to all parents and carers who attended parent/carer evening for Year 10 last night and those who supported our fabulous showcase on Wednesday (more on that below).

We have been very busy...

Powerhosing bricks

Two elevations are now completely bricked and were power hosed this week to reveal the beautiful finish beneath the dust.

Door frames and doors are being installed on level two and dryling is now complete across the whole building so that all areas can now be painted.

Window sills are next on the list along with window finishes on the Cafe side of the building.

Thank you to Jeff and the team (around 90 different people on site at any one time during the week) who have worked during several hot days to keep the build on track.

Saying well done to Mr Clarke

For the third year running, a member of DUA staff has been recognised at the ALP Staff Awards.

This year it was the turn of Mr Clarke, our resident Network Manager/Superhero who can be found administering first aid to people and computers all through each day. He ensures that all members of the team have access to our online learning resources and that systems are set up for student arrival ever day. Without him, high quality teaching and learning could not take place.

Congratulations Mr Clarke- you are a highly valued member of staff and a very worthy winner of this award.

Planning another trip

This year is almost over but we have grand plans for next year, including a trip to London for Years 7 and 8!

Miss Burke has shared this opportunity with students this week. If your child is interested please direct them to speak to Miss Burke.

Getting ready for next week

A reminder for parents/carers that next week is a busy one with rewards and DUA Games day:

Monday- Normal day of school. All students expected to attend.

Tuesday- Normal day of school. All students expected to attend. Flamingo Land trip for Super Stars Students - non-uniform, sun cream, packed lunch and water bottle. Spending money allowed but students are entirely responsible for this. Please check inhalers and any other medication. Parent consent forms must be complete in order for your child to travel. Late return to school.

Wednesday- DUA Games Day. A sports day with a difference. All students expected to attend and participate (activities range from bottle flipping and paper aeroplanes to javelin and 400m). All students to wear Durham Academy PE kit- no other branded items allowed.

Thursday- DUA ACCESS Rewards Trips. Multiple activities and trips happening across the day. All students expected to attend school and wear the correct clothing- see individual letters for those that include non-uniform, late returns and packed lunches. Parent consent forms must be completed in order for your child to travel.

Friday- Personal Development Programme, reward assemblies and ACCESS. All students expected to attend. Normal finish time for the school day.

All details have been shared in letters. Please ensure payments are made before Monday 13th in order for your child to participate. Please contact reception if you need support with completion of letters or have any questions.

Seeing science come alive

Yesterday, Durham Academy welcomed the prestigious Royal Institution to our school for an unforgettable, high-octane science experience: Energy Live!

Our students were treated to a thrilling, interactive live show designed to bring the physics of energy to life. Through explosive demonstrations, fiery experiments, and a lot of high-energy fun, the presenters broke down how energy is stored, transformed, and released in the world around us.

Highlights from the Show:

Live Demonstrations: Seeing standard physics concepts turned into dramatic, real-world spectacles.
Interactive Learning: Students got a front-row seat to understanding everything from chemical energy stores to kinetic transfers.
Inspirational Science: Shifting the subject from the textbook to the stage to inspire our next generation of scientists and engineers.

A huge thank you to the Royal Institution for delivering such a fantastic, inspiring day for our students. It’s safe to say that science at Durham Academy has never felt more electric!

Watching a fabulous showcase

Our Summer Showcase was a fantastic celebration of the hard work and talent of our Performing Arts students. The evening featured a variety of music, singing and drama performances, with every student showing confidence, commitment and enthusiasm on stage.

Each performance reflected the dedication students have shown throughout the year, and it was wonderful to see them supporting one another and enjoying the opportunity to perform in front of parents, carers, friends, family and staff.

We are incredibly proud of everyone who took part. They all did an amazing job and should be proud of their achievements. Thank you to everyone who came along to support such a brilliant evening.