Term dates and school times

School times

Holidays and absences in term time

New Government regulations have made it clear that a school or Academy may not grant any leave of absence from school during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances. Our duty is to ensure all students have complete access to the education provided and we ask for parental support to ensure this happens.

This means:

• A parent does not have the right to take a child out of school for a holiday or absence in term time.
• The school will refuse an application for absence unless parents can demonstrate and prove there are exceptional circumstances relating to the request.
• Absence from the Academy for any reason has a significant effect on learning and is proven to reduce student grades.
• If a holiday or an absence is taken when permission has not been granted, it will be recorded as an unauthorised absence (truancy) and noted on the student’s record of achievement. The information will be sent to Durham County Council who will consider whether a fine of £60 should be issued. 
• If a student already has poor attendance and an unauthorised absence is taken, the information may be sent to Durham County Council Attendance Enforcement Team who will consider legal proceedings at a magistrate’s court.

If you have any queries please contact school directly on 0191 371 0777 and a member of our attendance team will be happy to assist you.

2023/24 TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2023

Starts	Ends	Half term
Tuesday 5 September	Tuesday 19 December	30 Oct – 3 Nov

Christmas break: Tuesday 19th December 2023 - Thursday 4th January 2024

Spring Term 2024

Starts	Ends	Half term
Thursday 4 January	Thursday 28 March	19-23 February

Easter break: Thursday 28th March 2024 - Tuesday 16th April

Summer Term 2024

Starts	Ends	Half term
Tuesday 16 April	Tuesday 23 July	27 May – 31 May

School is also closed to pupils for 5 professional development days.

Day 1           Monday 4 September 2023

Day 2          Friday 24 November 2023

Day 3          Wednesday 3rd January 2024

Day 4          Monday 15 April 2024

Day 5          Friday 24 May 2024 

School will also be closed on Monday 6th May 2024 (May Bank Holiday).

2024/25 TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2024

School reopens	School closes (last day of school)	Half term
Thursday 5th September 2024	Friday 20th December 2024	Monday 28th October 2024 -  Friday 1st November 2024

Christmas break: School closes Friday 20^th December 2024 and reopens: Tuesday 7^th January 2025

Spring Term 2025

School reopens	School closes (last day of school)	Half term
Tuesday 7th January 2025	Friday 11th April 2025	Monday 24th February 2025 -  Friday 28th February 2025

Easter break: School closes Friday 11^th April 2025 and school reopens Monday 28^th April 2025 

Summer Term 2025

School reopens	School closes (last day of school)	Half term
Monday 28th April 2025	Friday 18th July 2025	Monday 26th  May 2025 -  Friday 30th May 2025

School will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 5^th May 2025

Summer break: Monday 21^st July 2023 to September 2025 return TBC 

School is also closed to pupils for the following professional development days:

• Wednesday 4^th September 2024 
• Friday 3^rd January 2025
• Monday 6^th January 2025 
• Monday 24^th February 2025 
• Monday 14^th April 2025