Principal's update - 16 January 2026

Dear all

As we come to the end of another busy and purposeful week at DUA, I want to thank everyone for the continued commitment you show to our students, our community, and to each other. Here’s a round‑up of what’s been happening, along with a look ahead and a few important reminders.

What Happened This Week...

• This week saw our Year 10 students working incredibly hard as they completed their BTEC assessments. Their focus and determination have been impressive, and staff support has been greatly appreciated.
• Y10 also visited the theatre this week to watch 'A Christmas Carol' this was both culturally enriching and incredibly helpful for their GCSE English Literature!
• Our students also took part in the King’s Trust and Leeds to Success careers programmes, continuing to broaden their horizons and develop the skills they’ll need for future opportunities.
• We also held interviews for our new Principal, and we look forward to sharing the outcome with you very soon.
• A big well done to all students who represented the academy in our fixtures this week - including rowing, netball, and basketball. Their teamwork and sportsmanship continue to make us proud.
  
  What’s Happening Next Week...
• Next week promises to be equally exciting. We’ll be welcoming a team from Channel 4, who will be visiting the academy - a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage with professionals from the creative and media sectors.
• Our Generation Together project continues, alongside the next phase of Leeds to Success. We’re also taking part in the Landsec Challenge, giving students another brilliant platform to develop leadership, teamwork, and problem‑solving skills.
• We’re delighted to be hosting colleagues from CST, who will be visiting DUA next week alongside Luke Sparkes our trust leader.
• In sport, we have upcoming fixtures in basketball and touch rugby - best of luck to all students involved.

General Reminders
A reminder that attendance has a direct impact on student outcomes. We have shared a graph below showing last year’s Year 11 results against their attendance, and the pattern is clear: the higher the attendance, the stronger the outcomes. Please continue to support students in arriving every day, on time, ready to learn.

Gave a great weekend when it arrives! 

Mr Jacobs