Term dates, school times and important dates

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 Northumberland County Council who will consider whether a fine should be issued. 
• If a student already has poor attendance and an unauthorised absence is taken, the information may be sent to Northumberland County Council Attendance Enforcement Team who will consider legal proceedings at a magistrate’s court.

School times

From September 2022

Period	Time
Registration	8.35am – 9.00am
Period 1	9.00am – 10.00am
Period 2	10.00am – 11.00am
Break	11.00am – 11.20am
Period 3	11.20am – 12.20pm
Lunch	12.20pm – 1.05pm
Period 4	1.05pm – 2.05pm
Period 5	2.05pm – 3.05pm

Ashington Academy operates on a 32.5 hour week on a 50-period timetable.

2023/24 TERM DATES

Autumn Term 2023

Starts	Ends	Half term
Tuesday 5 September	Thursday 21 December	30 October – 3 November

Christmas break (2 weeks)

School closes Thursday 21 December and reopens Monday 8 January 2024.

Spring Term 2024

Starts	Ends	Half term
Monday 8 January	Thursday 28 March	19 -23 February

Easter break (2 weeks)

School closes Thursday 28 March and reopens Monday 15 April 2024.

Summer Term 2024

Starts	Ends	Half term
Monday 15 April	Friday 19 July	27 May – 31 May

School is also closed to pupils for 3 professional development days.

• Monday 4 September 2023
• Friday 24 November 2023
• Friday 22 December 2023

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

2024/25 term dates

Autumn Term 2024

School reopens	School closes (last day of school)	Half term
Tuesday 3rdSeptember 2024	Friday 20th December 2024	School closes: Friday 25th October 2024  School reopens: Monday 4th November 2024

Christmas break: 

• School closes: Friday 20^th December
• School reopens: Tuesday 7^th January 2025 

Spring Term 2025

School reopens	School closes	Half term
Tuesday 7th January 2025	11th April 2025	School closes: Friday 21st February 2025 School reopens: Monday 3rd March 2025

Easter break:

• School closes: Friday 11^th April 2025
• School reopens: Monday 28^th April 2025

Summer Term 2025

School reopens	School closes	Half term
Monday 28th April 2025	Friday 18th July 2025	School closes: Friday 23rd May 2025 School reopens: Monday 2nd June 2025

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

Summer break: School Closes Friday 18^th July 2025 

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

• Monday 2^nd September 2024
• Friday 29^th November 2024
• Monday 2^nd December 2024
• Monday 6^th January 2025