Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the best of health. This is the final update of the Autumn Term ahead of our winter break. You will be aware that school ended slightly earlier today for students as we bid farewell to staff who are moving on in January. School will re-open for all students on Tuesday the 6th January at the normal time of 8.30.
Library update
The Countdown to Christmas activities this week have been really great. Both the student leader team and student librarians have really got involved with the events. It’s been a week full of festive cheer and has made this final week very special. Also, the KS3 library lessons have been a big success. Since September, 1126 books have been borrowed from the library. 2026 is going to be a special year – book fairs in March and October, World Book Day in March and student librarian interviews in January.
HAF bookings
If your child receives benefits-related free school meals, they are entitled to attend Holiday Activities provided by the Local Authority. Follow the instructions in your email from HolidayActivities.com to book. Further details can be found at: www.derby.gov.uk/derbyHAF
Flu Vaccinations
For anyone who missed their Flu vaccinations this week, the team will return after the holidays for catch ups. They have confirmed the date as Thursday 15th January 2026, there are 101 students still to be vaccinated.
Key Stage 3 Update
As we reach the end of this first half term, we want to express our sincere thanks for your continued support of the Academy and your child’s education in KS3. Your partnership has been invaluable in helping our students settle into the year and make great progress.
Regular attendance remains one of the most significant factors in academic success. We encourage all students to aim for 97% attendance. Even occasional absences can affect grades, confidence, and overall progress. Research shows that strong attendance not only improves academic outcomes but also builds habits essential for future success. Thank you for working with us to ensure your child attends every day possible.
As we head into the festive season, we wish you and your family a joyful and restful Christmas break. We are already looking forward to welcoming all our Year 7 and Year 8 students back in 2026 for another exciting two terms of learning and growth.
Year 10 Update
As we come to the end of the Autumn term, I would like to thank Year 10 students and families for their efforts during an important transition year. Many students have made a positive start to their GCSE and vocational courses, showing increasing maturity and engagement with the higher expectations of Key Stage 4.
Throughout the term, staff have closely monitored attendance, behaviour and progress, and support has been put in place where needed. As we move into the Spring term, our continued focus will be on strong learning routines, calm and purposeful conduct, and consistent attendance, as these habits are essential for long-term success.
The Christmas break provides a valuable opportunity for students to rest, reset and prepare for the term ahead. We look forward to welcoming Year 10 back in January ready to build on the progress made so far. We wish all our families a safe, restful and enjoyable Christmas.
Year 10 Art Trip: On Tuesday 16 December, Year 10 Art pupils visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield to gain inspiration for their GCSE portfolio theme, ‘Nature vs Manmade’. The favourable weather allowed pupils to fully engage with the outdoor setting, where they captured a range of high-quality photographs of sculptures and artworks to support their coursework. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for pupils to experience art in a real-world context, and they represented the school exceptionally well, demonstrating enthusiasm and genuine interest throughout the day.
Sports Update
Year 9 Boys Basketball: Derby Moor Year 9 Boys made their third outing this academic year representing the school in basketball, during a round robin tournament this week. As Derby Moor had brought several players, we were given the opportunity to field two teams as one school had dropped out. The way the Year 9s quickly organised each other into two teams with a captain on each, was very professional and showed excellent teamwork and communication skills. The competitiveness, teamwork and sportsmanship in all games were first class and they were a real credit to the school on every occasion. They have showed great development in the recent round robin tournaments, and several schools have approached Derby Moor for individual fixtures in the new year, so watch this space.
Team 1 won 3 games and lost 2, Team 2 lost 3 games and won 1. Well done all!
Year 12 Geography Field Trip
As part of our Human Geography fieldwork, the Year 12 cohort participated in a field trip to Beeston, Nottingham to investigate patterns of human activity including regeneration/rebranding and land use. Throughout the day, we collected primary data through observations, surveys, and field sketches, focusing on how the built environment has developed in response to social, economic, and environmental factors. Beeston provided a valuable case study, as it demonstrated clear links between infrastructure, population needs, and sustainability initiatives. This fieldwork allowed us to apply geographical concepts studied in class to a real-world setting, strengthening our understanding of human–environment interactions and enhancing our geographical inquiry skills for the NEA being completed after Christmas.
Outstanding achievement in music
We wanted to take a moment to share something really special from this week’s music assessments. One of our Year 9 students delivered an outstanding performance which went far beyond the expectations of the assessment. He performed not only the required cover pieces, but also an original composition which he had independently written and arranged, seamlessly combining everything into a fully realised, coherent piece of music. The level of musical understanding, creativity, and technical control demonstrated was exceptional for his age. In all honesty, if this piece were submitted as part of a GCSE Music performance/composition now, it would be working comfortably at an 8 – and potentially a 9. It’s rare to see such maturity in musical thinking at this stage, and we felt it was important to share this as a celebration of both his talent and the impact of the opportunities we provide for students to excel. Well done SR!
Sixth Form Update
UCAS: As the UCAS application deadline approaches, we are thrilled to see many of our Year 13 students submitting their applications, with offers rolling in thick and fast – some have all five of their offers already! Their hard work and dedication are truly commendable, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.
Year 13 mock examinations: Year 13 have recently completed their mock examinations. Although they’ve felt the pressure, they handled themselves impeccably throughout the process. These mocks are designed to prepare them for the real exam period, and we believe they will benefit greatly from this experience.
Cambridge University Visit: This week, we had the privilege of hosting the Cambridge University Conference for schools across Derby and Derbyshire. It was an amazing event for all involved and I thank our staff who coordinated the day to ensure our students were able to benefit from this experience. These kinds of events enrich our students’ portfolios and change their perspectives on what is possible.
Student Leadership Team Reflection: 5 Days of Christmas
The Student Leadership Team is delighted to share a reflection on the hugely successful 5 Days of Christmas celebrations at Derby Moor Spencer Academy. The week was filled with festive spirit, teamwork and kindness, bringing our school community together to celebrate the end of term in a positive and memorable way.
Throughout the week, students led and supported a range of activities. We successfully completed a Christmas raffle, which was well supported by both students and staff and helped to create excitement across the academy. Alongside this, we ran the Reindeer Game, with several lucky winners enjoying festive prizes and lots of laughter.
A highlight for staff was the Derby Moor Staff Bake Off, which showcased some incredible baking talent. Congratulations go to Mr Hall, who was crowned winner for his amazing Yule log, impressing the judges with both flavour and presentation.
Acts of kindness were central to our celebrations. The Student Leadership Team shared Candy Canes of Kindness with staff as a small token of appreciation for their hard work and support throughout the year. In addition, we organised the sale of festive gifts, ensuring there was something to share with everyone and reinforcing the importance of generosity and community. Students also took centre stage in the Student Derby Moor Bake Off, which was a fantastic success.
The Student Leadership Team would like to thank all students and staff who participated and supported these events, helping to make them such a success.
Final Thoughts
The first term of the academic year has come to a close. Whilst the winter break is always welcome, we have had a really successful term at the Academy. As the darker nights (and mornings) close in, we all feel ready for a break and I know most of our community will be looking forward to spending time with family and friends. For those who are celebrating Christmas, I hope it is magical and brings an opportunity to share time and memories with those closest to you, and, for many, those who are now a little more distant. This time of year is not always an easy time for many, and our thoughts go out to those who have experienced loss or difficulty over the years. There is support out there, as signposted in last week’s update. As we look forwards to the New Year and a new term, I hope we all find a little space for reflection and planning, committing ourselves to making 2026 a wonderful year. I wish you a very happy new year and look forward to reconnecting in January. Together We Succeed.
Wishing you a wonderful winter break,
Scott Doyle
Principal