11th April2025

Welcome to our weekly bulletin,

The last week of term as been full of wonderful events. Our students have been a credit to the school this term and have received more magic moments and faculty awards than at any other time. Year 11 have had 98% attendance and Year 10 aren't far behind. We believe rewarding students for their hard efforts is very important so today has seen every child in school able to exchange theirachievemtn points for a reward of their choice. Year 11 have had a special set of rewards as they are leading up to their final weeks of school and we have been very busy...

Looking forward to breaking ground

Next term will give us the start of the building work and we can not wait to organise our breaking ground ceremony and tell you about the fabulous projects our building are going to include our students in.

Visiting the Theatre to see An Inspector Calls

Students from all year groups were a credit to the school on Thursday when the attended a theatre performance of An Inspector Calls.

Staff sang their praises on return, commenting on their impeccable behaviour and how brilliant the show had been. Another life long learning experience for all who attended. Thank you to Mrs Anderson for organising this.

Enjoying the warm weather

It's umbrella time again in the quadrangle. Students have also enjoyed playing table games this week. The School Council are keen to develop this so if you have any spare games (Jenga, dominoes etc) that have all the pieces but are going to waste, please donate them to our breaktime activity box.

Discussing our values

Confidence, Ambition and Respect are at the heart of every thing we do at Durham Academy and students have spent an hour with their Tutors today discussing what those terms actually mean and what we do in school to demonstrate them.

Students shared amazing examples and could articulate very clearly why our framework for learning supports their development and how our systems and personal development programme encourage them to participate. Below are just some of the examples our students discussed.

Preparing Year 11 for exams

Year 11 have left for the working holiday with revision packs, timetables and relaxation techniques following a whole morning revision conference.

Students have short sharp sessions on English, Maths, Science, Organisation, Revision Techniques and Mindfulness and received their final raising achievement plans which gives them student and subject specific tasks to complete during their final weeks of school. They have also ordered their leavers hoodies and were rewarded with some rather tasty pizza. They were definitely HUNGRY for MORE...

A reminder that staff are giving up their Easter holiday to support student in extra revision sessions. Please sign your child up using this form.

Celebrating success

Our term finished with our Headteacher's assembly where students are recognised and congratulated for their hard work and efforts across the term.

Students received certificates for excellent attendance, subject nominations, the highest number of achievement points and of course, for being confident, ambitious and respectful.

Well done everyone who was mentioned today.

Enjoying the rewards that come with being confident, ambitious and respectful

This morning was spent taking part in a huge range of fully funded rewards. From Archery to binary bracelets, students developed a wide range to skills and had a great time. A huge thank you must go to all members of staff who have planned and delivered an activity.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday.

Easter is always one of our favourite holidays. The weather gives us a glimpse of the summer and the two week break gives us all an opportunity to spend quality time with our friends and families.

We hope that everyone of our families has a happy and safe two weeks off (though Year 11 will be in school for some of it of course!) and want to remind you of a few notices for the start of the new term:

1) School is open to all students on Monday 28th April and all students should be on site for 8.20am.

2) Breakfast is available to all students.

3) PE kits must be brought into school on PE days and students should be in full school uniform at all other times.