Principals update - 7 November 2025

Dear families,

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break. It’s been fantastic to see students return with energy and focus as we begin the new half-term.

Over the holidays, our Year 11 students took part in a series of revision sessions to prepare for their mock exams. The second week of mocks begins next week. Timetables have been sent home and are also available on the MCAS app. If you need help accessing MCAS, please speak to reception.

We also had an incredible trip to Paris during the break. Our students represented the academy brilliantly—their conduct was exemplary and a real credit to both the school and their families. Thank you to all staff and families who made this experience possible.

Looking ahead:

• Year 11 mock exams: Continue throughout next week, covering a range of subjects. Please ensure students arrive on time and fully equipped for each session.
• Newby Wiske residential: A group of students will head to North Yorkshire for an outdoor adventure, including climbing, team-building activities, and leadership challenges.
• Sports fixtures: Indoor rowing, netball, and football matches will take place next week; good luck to all teams representing the academy.
• Winter Warmer event: Join us in the Unity Community on Wednesday from 5:00pm for an evening of games, food, and connection. It’s a great opportunity to come together as a community. There are coats available for families to take too.
• Year 10 assessments: On Wednesday, students will complete testing for exam access arrangements to ensure the right support is in place for future exams.
• Thursday and Friday: These are data and planning days, so students will not attend school on these dates. Please make alternative arrangements for these two days.

Finally, we’re proud to share that DUA was named the second most improved school nationally for attendance over the holidays. This is an incredible achievement and reflects the hard work of our students, staff, and families. Let’s keep up the momentum as we head into the winter months.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr A Jacobs