Principal's update - 12 February 2026

Dear Unity Community

We're at the end of another half-term - my 19th and penultimate as Principal! A theme of my updates is to discuss attendance. Over the last three years attendance has improved by 8 percentage points; that's equivalent to 86,112 more lessons being attended. Though we're incredibly proud of this, our attendance still sits just below the national average - so that's our target next half-term. Next half term is arguably the most important half-term for our Y11 students. It begins their final set of mocks which help us to identify any knowledge gaps students may have before quickly in to closing those knowledge gaps ready for their final examinations. Every Y11 student should be aiming for 100% between now and the end of the year. 

We've had a fantastic final week of this term at DUA. Y10 have been working hard on their BTEC assessments producing incredibly high quality work. A number of Y11s attended an intervention with the West Yorkshire Fire Service and we held our Cultural Runway showcasing a wide range of cultures and backgrounds from our diverse student body.

Students return from the February break on Monday 23 January 2026. Students need to arrive in to school by 8.18am, fully equipped and in full school uniform. Arrived ready to learn means they get the best possible start to their school day.

We have three exciting events in the first week back. On Thursday we have a Women of the Future event with 16 Y9 girls travelling to Wellington Place for an empowering ad informative careers event. Out Y7 students are also travelling to Newby Wiske at the back end of the week for their outdoor residential - I think the staff are as excited as the students! Finally, our Y9 reports and review evening is happening on Thursday 26 February from 4.30pm. If you haven't already please book appointments via the MCAS app; it's a great opportunity to meet with the teachers to discuss the progress and attitude to learning of your child,

Overall a great half term, I wish you all a great holiday and look forward to seeing you on the 23 February.

Mr Jacobs