This week our students have represented the school in our official signing the steel ceremony where our Chair of our Academy Council joined us alongside the DFE, Wilmott Dixon, our builders, and the longest serving member of staff (Mrs Ball). All the students were able to sign the steel structure and then watched as this part of the structure was lifted into place. 

Our students were a credit to the school and spoke on behalf of all students how significant this new build will be to the future of young people in our community and the impact that will have on all families. 

We must also thank the builders who gave the students some rather lovely new boots to take away! 

We met with our Leading Parent Partnership Award Advisor today following our first parent/carer survey. We were delighted to learn that we are already evaluated by parents and carers at the level some schools are at by the end of the process, showing our existing commitment to parents and carers and crucial and valued members of our community.  

That said, we want to be the best and so following the meeting we have created an action plan which we will be working towards for the next year. 

This working party will be looking to develop all areas of connection between school and home, including how this is transferred and improved in the new building. From texts to parent events, bulletins and the building itself, we want to make Durham Academy the most welcoming and accessible academy possible. For this to happen we need your help. 

We are looking for a small group of vocal parents who can work with us once a half term for a hour or so to give us their feedback. If you are able to help us please contact reception. 

Thankfully the weather has been better here than in other places in the UK this week but we must be proactive in planning for the worst conditions. 

Our in-door break arrangements have been revised this week due to the auditorium being used for exams. In the event of extreme weather, the lunch rota remains the same but becomes indoors. 

In the unlikely event of school building closure, all students should access Google Classroom via any device to complete their scheduled lessons. Please make sure that your child can do this and just as a reminder, all lessons taught to them during the week are also accessed in that way. 

If your child can not access this please contact reception so we can help.

It is a common misconception that building closure or bus cancelation means learning is shut down for the day. This is not the case and your child will be expected to complete work so they don't miss vital content. 

In addition to this, Year 7 will be given weather packs to complete on paper.

Year 10 have started their Future Me programme this week.

This is a fabulous opportunity for students to build confidence, meet new people and learn the skills required to be an independent adult. 

Thank you to Mr Talbot for organising this. 

Telephone: 0191 3730336

Email: contact@durhamacademy.org.uk

For the most up to date information about what is going on in our school, please visit our website at:

https://durhamacademy.org.uk