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.

2024/25 TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2024

School reopens	School closes (last day of school)	Half term
Thursday 5thSeptember	Friday 20th December	School closes: Friday 25th October School reopens: Monday 4thNovember

Christmas break: 

School closes: Friday 20th December

School reopens: Tuesday 7^th January

Spring Term 2025

School reopens	School closes	Half term
Tuesday 7th January	Friday 11th April	School closes: Friday 21st February School reopens: Monday 3rd March

Easter break:

School closes: Friday 11^th April

School reopens: Monday 28^th April

Summer Term 2025

School reopens	School closes	Half term
Monday 28th April	Friday 18th July	School closes: Friday 23rd May School reopens: Monday 2nd June

Summer break: Friday 18^th July

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 

School will also be closed on Monday 5 May 2024 (May Bank Holiday).

2025/26 TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2025

School reopens	School closes (last day of school)	Half term
Wednesday 3rd September 2025	Friday 19th December 2025	School closes: Friday 24th October 2025 School reopens: Monday 3rd November 2025

Christmas break: 

School closes: Friday 19^th December 2025 

School reopens: Tuesday 6^th January 2026

Spring Term 2026

School reopens	School closes	Half term
Tuesday 6th January 2026	Thursday 2nd April 2026	School closes: Friday 20th February 2026  School reopens: Monday 2nd March 2026

Easter break:

School closes: Thursday 2^nd April 2026 

School reopens: Monday 20^th April 2026  

Summer Term 2026

School reopens	School closes	Half term
Monday 20th April 2026	Friday 17th July 2026	School closes: Friday 22nd May 2026 School reopens: Monday 1st June 2026

School will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 4^th May 2026

Summer break: 21^st July 2026 to TBC 

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

• Tuesday 2^nd September 2025
• Friday 2^nd January 2026
• Monday 5^th January 2026 
• Friday 17^th April 2026 
• Monday 20^th July 2026