16th October 2026

Welcome to our weekly bulletin,

As we enter our final week before the move, there is lots happening behind the scenes as staff continue to prepare for this exciting next chapter for Durham Academy. We will share further details and important information about the move in due course, so please keep an eye out for future updates.

Our Year 11 students are now well underway with their mock examinations. We wish them every success and thank them for their continued hard work and commitment during this important period. Thank you, too, for your patience and understanding with drop-off and pick-up arrangements as we manage the changes around our new entrance.

A reminder to please take extra care if you are dropping students off at the new entrance. Please remain vigilant and be mindful of students walking nearby, as well as moving cars and buses, to help keep everyone safe. Your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we work together through this busy final week before the move.

Key Dates for your Diary

w/c 12th-22nd October

Year 11 Mock Fortnight

Please encourage students to revise and be prepared.

Friday 23rd October 2026 and Monday 2nd November

All students working from home. School closed for students. Students will return to school on Tuesday 3rd November.

Return to School

We are looking forward to welcoming students back to Durham Academy on Tuesday 3rd November 2026 as we begin an exciting new chapter in our new school building. On arrival, students will be met by their tutors in what is currently our staff car park, where tutor groups will gather before being walked to the new building.

Each tutor group will have a guided tour to help students familiarise themselves with their new surroundings and find out where key areas and facilities are located. Students will have an extended tutor period on their first morning back to ensure they feel settled, confident and ready to begin learning in their new environment.

Following tutor time, students will go straight to Period 2 to continue with their normal timetable. We are excited for students to experience their new school and look forward to sharing more information with families as we approach the move.

Subject Spotlight - Maths

Students across all year groups have been working hard in Maths, developing their mathematical knowledge, building confidence and tackling increasingly challenging problems.

Year 7 have been exploring expressions and equations, learning how to use algebra to represent mathematical relationships. Year 8 have been developing their skills in algebraic manipulation, practising how to simplify and rearrange expressions accurately. Year 9 have been applying their knowledge of area and volume, using formulae to solve problems involving different shapes and three-dimensional objects.

Our Year 10 students have been working on quadratic expressions and equations, strengthening their understanding of algebra and developing the skills needed for their GCSE examinations. Meanwhile, Year 11 have been focusing on ratio and proportion, an important area of the GCSE specification as they continue their preparation for their mock examinations.

Well done to all students for their continued effort and commitment to their learning. As always, we encourage students to keep practising their mathematical skills at home and to make the most of opportunities to revisit and consolidate their learning.

Autumn 1 Overview - Maths & English.pdf

Online Tutoring for Year 11 Pupils

We are delighted to offer a unique opportunity for Year 11 pupils across our ALP family of schools to access expert online tutoring in English and Maths, completely free of charge. These workshops will be deliveredby our ALP subject specialists and will support pupils to:

• strengthen key knowledge and skills

• build confidence and prepare effectively for their GCSE examinations

To join a session, pupils simply need to follow the relevant Microsoft Teams link and sign in using their school email address. All of your Year 11 pupils are invited to take advantage of this bespoke learning opportunity.

Please note that there are separate Foundation and Higher Options for Mathematics (same meeting link).

Nominations this week were:

Arthur in Year 10 for his determination and resilience in building a GCSE response to A Christmas Carol in English. A brilliant effort and a great mark.

Tillie in Year 11 for her dedication to her coursework. She has received an excellent mark and it is all down to her hard work and dedication.

Madeline in Year 11 for an improved response by using feedback to make progress. A fantastic achievement.

Work of the Week

Each week, we celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of our students across the school. Students whose work demonstrates exceptional effort, progress, creativity or application are recognised through our weekly rewards. As well as receiving Achievement Points and a certificate, students are invited to enjoy an early lunch as a special recognition of their success. It is fantastic to see students being celebrated for their hard work and commitment to learning.

Futsal Trials

Our initial Year 7 and 8 Futsal trials took place on Monday with a fantastic turnout of 20 students, who showcased incredible energy, teamwork, and skill ahead of the interschool competitions in early December. Final trial nights will be held in late November to select the official team, but until then, Monday night Football Club remains open to everyone from all year groups (3:00 PM – 4:00 PM). We want this momentum of participation to continue to build, and we’d love to see even more players join us!

PE Extra- Curricular Timetable

Oliver! Auditions Update

A huge well done to all the students who auditioned for our upcoming production of Oliver! this week. The talent and enthusiasm on display were absolutely fabulous, making our decisions incredibly difficult!

Cast lists and decisions will be posted outside the Music classroom this Wednesday at lunchtime. Students who are allocated a script will also be able to collect theirs at this time to practice over the week holiday. Thank you to all our student performers for their fantastic effort!

Career Information

Creating the Future

We are delighted to share an exciting October half-term opportunity for Year 10 & 11 students who are interested in a career in Media, Marketing and e-Sports – Creating the Future.

Young people will receive an introduction into the opportunities available within Media, Marketing and e-Sports through both college and employer visits, with lunch and a fun activity provided.

Support for Parents and Students

If you require any support or have a concern that you would like to discuss, please contact our Pastoral Team at pastoral@durhamacademy.org.uk. The team will be happy to offer advice and support or help direct you to the appropriate member of staff. Please continue to use our usual communication channels for reporting student absences and any urgent issues so that these can be dealt with promptly.