Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. At some point on Monday morning, after five years of lessons, friendships and everything else that a secondary school has to offer, our Year 11 students will complete their final whole-cohort GCSE paper — and then walk out onto Top Field to mark the occasion in the time-honoured way. The shirt signing has always been one of those moments in the school calendar that is difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t stood in a school field at the end of a summer term, but I think most of our families will understand exactly what I mean when I say it carries a weight that goes well beyond the occasion itself. This has been a full week in every sense. Alongside the final push of the exam season, students have been preparing to head out to the Peak District on their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, visiting universities, and presenting inventions on a national stage to recognition I suspect none of them will forget in a hurry. The details are all below.
Year 11 update
Annual ‘Shirt signing’ event- Monday 15th June: As our Year 11 students approach the end of their time at Derby Moor Spencer Academy, we are pleased to be able to offer them the opportunity to take part in a Shirt Signing Leavers’ Day on Monday 15th June 2026.
The shirt signing event will take place following the Physics Paper 2 in the morning and will run during Lessons 3 and 4.
Please note that students must ensure they have a clean school shirt available for their Physics examination on the morning of Monday 15th June, as well as for any examinations they have after this date. Students should therefore consider bringing an additional shirt for signing purposes, if they wish to do so.
Students will be taken to our Top Field behind Ivy House for the shirt signing event (weather permitting) with staff supervision.
This is a lovely opportunity for students to celebrate their five years together at Derby Moor Spencer Academy, reflect on their achievements, and capture some final memories with their peers and staff.
During the event, we will provide samosas and soft drinks for all students. In addition, we have arranged for an ice cream van to visit the site. Should your child wish to purchase an ice cream, please ensure they have an appropriate method of payment available (cash, card, Apple Pay, etc.).
The event will conclude at 12:45pm, at which point students will be directed off the field and off school site. All Year 11 students should be off school site by 1:00pm, with the exception of Level 2 Further Maths students who have an afternoon examination. Specific arrangements regarding meeting points and timings will be communicated directly to those students to ensure they can return to school in time for their exam.
Year 11 Graduation: As previously communicated, our annual Year 11 graduation will be held on 26th June, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Students will be expected to leave site by 1:00pm. Eligible students have been informed if they have accumulated enough reward points to attend. They must confirm their attendance via the Class Charts announcement from Miss Hill. Please note that failure to respond will be taken as non-attendance and a space will not be reserved for them.
The celebration will include speeches, awards, light entertainment, and refreshments.
A separate email will be sent inviting you to share photos of your child from their younger years, which we hope to include in the celebration.
Year 10 Update
Year 10 Product Design: students have begun their coursework, which will run until March 2027. The coursework equates to 50% of their overall GCSE grade, therefore it is imperative that your child completes all their coursework to the best of their abilities.
Students have been provided with a clear checklist of pieces of work they need to complete and deadline dates for submission of the five sections of their coursework. It is really important your child meets these deadlines otherwise they could fall behind and miss vital other pieces of coursework.
Please support your child at home by asking about their coursework and checking classcharts to see if any homework has been set. Interventions will run on every Tuesday until the end of the summer term, 3:05-4:00pm. The day may change when we return in September, you will be updated of this. If you have any queries, please email your child’s teacher.
Burton & South Derbyshire College Post-16 Options Evening: Burton & South Derbyshire College (BSDC) are hosting a Year 10 Post-16 Options Evening on Monday 29th June from 4:00pm–7:00pm
This event gives students and families an opportunity to explore post-16 pathways at a different provider, including:
- BTECs and T Levels
- Apprenticeship routes
- Progression to university and careers
- Tours of facilities
- Meeting tutors and receiving advice on next steps
Families can book places directly via Eventbrite.
Art Update
On Tuesday 9th June, our Year 10 and Year 12 Art students enjoyed an inspiring visit to the University of Derby’s Creative Arts Showcase. The trip provided a valuable opportunity for students to experience the exciting world of creative subjects at university level and explore the wide range of pathways available within the creative industries.
The day began with a series of engaging taster sessions in Fine Art, Photography, Animation and Fashion. Students embraced each challenge with enthusiasm and confidence, demonstrating their creativity while gaining first-hand experience of university-style learning.
In the afternoon, students toured the Degree Show, where they explored a diverse range of courses including Architecture, Graphic Design and Interior Design. The outstanding work on display sparked curiosity and inspired thoughtful discussions about future aspirations, higher education opportunities, and potential careers within the creative sector.
The visit really helped broaden students’ horizons and encouraged them to think ambitiously about their future in the creative industry.
Computing Update
To celebrate AI Awareness Day, our Year 8 and Year 9 students took part in an inspiring “Your AI-Ready Future” workshop. The sessions were delivered in partnership with the fantastic Women in Tech initiative and Cooper Parry, showcasing the incredible career opportunities available in the fast-evolving world of technology and artificial intelligence.
Our guest speaker, Gemma, brought fantastic energy to the classroom. The students thoroughly enjoyed interacting with her, exploring how AI is shaping the future of work, and discovering how they can build the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven economy.
The Computing Department are incredibly proud of our strong links with industry employers. Collaborating with organisations like Tech She Can and Cooper Parry allows us to bring real-world tech experiences directly to our students, sparking their curiosity and expanding their career horizons. The students did a wonderful job representing the school, and we are already looking forward to partnering on more exciting tech initiatives in the future.
Key Stage 3 Update
Pride Month – June: June marks Pride Month, a time when people around the world recognise and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. It is an opportunity to promote messages of inclusion, respect and equality, which are values we uphold across our school community. Throughout the month, students may engage in age-appropriate activities and discussions that encourage understanding, kindness and respect for others.
Year 7 Future Skills Questionnaire: During this half term, Year 7 students will complete the Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) during their IT lessons, within the school day.
Students do not need to revise or prepare for this in any way.
The Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) is a set of questions designed specifically for young people in schools and colleges. It aims to support students in thinking about:
- Their skills and strengths
- Their interests
- What they may like to do in the future
The FSQ is a key part of our school’s careers programme. We will use the outcomes to:
- Evaluate the effectiveness of our careers provision
- Plan future careers activities
- Identifyany students who may benefit from additional support
Further information will be shared with families in due course.
PEEA Update
PE: In PE, this week we’ve experienced a huge range of weather conditions. As always, please ensure students have the correct PE kit for that day, including a change of trainers.
Fixtures and upcoming events:
City Sports – We are finalising names for City Sports which is Derby’s biggest schools’ athletics competition held on the 1st July at Moorways. Once confirmed, letters will be going out to students.
Cricket Fixtures – We are awaiting confirmation for U13 and U15 cricket fixtures against John Port and QEGS. Notices will go out during form but if students are interested, please speak to Mr Kamp or Mr Khan and attend cricket club on a Tuesday afterschool 3.05-4pm.
National school sports week – 6th to 12th July: We’re excited to celebrate National School Sports Week with a full programme of sporting activities for all students to get involved in!
Activities will run before school (8:00–8:30am), at lunchtime and after school each day, offering a wide range of opportunities to try something new, develop skills and stay active.
Students who attend six or more sessions across the week will be entered into a prize draw, so we strongly encourage everyone to take part.
Further details, including the timetable of activities, will be shared by your child’s PE teacher.
Expressive Arts: DMSA School Production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda Jr. The Musical
The performances will take place on:
- Tuesday 23rd June
- Wednesday 24th June
- 7pm-8.30pm approx. (Doors open from 6.45pm)
Our cast and production team have been working incredibly hard and would love to see as many of our community there to support the production.
Tickets are now available on Arbor Pay at £3 each for either Tuesday 23rd June or Wednesday 24th June. 200 tickets are available for each night on a first come first served basis.
Library Update
If any of our Year 11 or Year 13 students would like to donate their revision books, we would be happy to receive them in the library. Please drop them off to Miss Jones in the Library once your course is completed.
Student Leadership Update
National Thank a Teacher Day: This week, the Student Leadership Team has been preparing for National Thank a Teacher Day, which takes place on 17th June. To mark this important occasion, we have designed a special thank you card that every student will have the opportunity to complete and send to a teacher of their choice.
The cards will be distributed to form groups at the start of the week, giving students time to reflect on the positive impact that teachers and staff have on their learning and school experience. Completed cards will then be collected at the end of the week and delivered to their recipients.
This is another fantastic opportunity for our school community to get involved in a national event, celebrate the dedication of our staff, and show appreciation for the encouragement, support and inspiration they provide every day. By taking part, we continue to live out our school motto: Together We Succeed.
Big Bang Showcase Event: This week, Derby Moor Spencer Academy celebrated an outstanding achievement at the National Big Bang Fair, with three student teams being selected as finalists in The Big Bang Challenge.
The Big Bang Challenge is an inspiring STEM project resource designed for students aged 11 to 18 of all abilities. It guides participants through each stage of STEM project work, encouraging creativity, problem-solving and innovation through the development of ideas into real-life solutions.
After successfully progressing through the judging stage, we were incredibly proud to be the only school in the country to have three projects selected for the national final. At the Big Bang Showcase Event, our students had the opportunity to present their inventions and prototypes to visitors from across the country.
It was a busy and exciting day, with hundreds of students stopping by to discuss our teams’ designs, ask questions and learn more about the ideas behind each project. The students were also delighted to welcome Julia Lopez, the Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, who took time to visit the showcase and speak with participants about their work.
Although we were not crowned overall winners this time, our students represented Derby Moor Spencer Academy with pride, enthusiasm and professionalism throughout the event. Their dedication, resilience and passion for STEM were evident for all to see. It was a fantastic experience and a great day enjoyed by everyone involved. We look forward to seeing what our talented young innovators achieve next!
Duke of Edinburgh Update
This weekend is the Bronze & Silver practice weekend, where students will gain the skills required for their expedition in July. The trip starts at the campsite at Haddon Grove, Bakewell on Friday evening and finishes at the Bakewell Agricultural Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a “Perfumer”
Rolls Royce Work Experience: The Emerging Talent team at Rolls-Royce are delighted to share a fantastic work experience opportunity for your Year 11 and Year 12 students.
‘Discover: Behind the Scenes’ is a 4 day, in-person experience giving you a rare look inside one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world. Running in Derby across two summer options, this experience is ideal for students interested in a career in engineering or in business.
This hands-on experience gives you the chance to:
- Find out more about Rolls-Royce
- Collaborate on a team project, from initial challenge to final professional presentation
- Develop key skills through workshops focused on employability and personal growth including future-ready skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and professional confidence
- Experience real-world engineering and innovation through hands-on activities
- Connect with current apprentices through networking sessions and Q&As
- Get practical advice on applying for future opportunities at Rolls-Royce
- Where & when?
Derby Learning & Development Centre (DE24 9BD)
21-24 July or 11-14 August (open to current Year 11 and Year 12 students)
Who can Apply?
- If you’re currently in Year 11 or Year 12
- No specific subjects or prior experience needed but you must be able to attend the full 4 days on-site in your chosen location (including travel if you’re not local)
- Before applying, you’ll need to complete the ‘Future Ready Skills’ module on our virtual work experience platform, Discover: On Demand, you can access the platform here
- This will require creating a free account
- The module is called ‘Future Ready Skills’ and it will take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to complete
- You’ll then receive a certificate of completion, which you can download directly from the Discover: On Demand platform under the “My Achievements” section
- You’ll need to upload this certificate as part of your Discover: Behind the Scenes application
If you’re interested in applying, you can find more information and submit your application here: DERBY
Apprenticeships: If your child is considering looking at apprenticeships, the following link will take you to a useful guide for both parents and students. You can also take a look at Choices magazine completely free of charge – you can find this month’s edition here. A further resource is Amazing Apprenticeships which covers all things apprenticeship and technical education.
Derby Moor Dispatch: The Dispatch is emailed to the students’ school email address, so it is important that they check this regularly. You can also view the Dispatch via the Careers page of the Derby Moor website. Please take a look at the website as there is a wealth of useful information including a specific page for parents.
Luminate Careers: Our independent and impartial Careers Advisers from Luminate Careers have an excellent website with a wealth of useful information Please have a look at these links designed for parents/carers about careers conversation starters and Post 16 Options.
Final notes
Monday afternoon will look and feel different from a normal school day. After their Physics exam, Year 11 will make their way out to Top Field — and before they leave site, five years of shared experience will have been recorded, in biro and marker pen on school shirts. It is a modest ritual, and a slightly hard one to explain to anyone who hasn’t been part of it. But I think most of our families will understand what I mean when I say that it matters.
This week also brought news of a quite remarkable achievement. Our students stood at one of the country’s biggest STEM showcases as the only school in England with three teams in the national final — presenting their work to hundreds of visitors, including a member of the Shadow Cabinet. They did not take the top prize, and I want to acknowledge that plainly, because what they did instead deserves to be named just as clearly: they prepared with seriousness, presented with confidence, and conducted themselves in a way that made the academy proud. Being a national finalist is not a consolation. It is an achievement — and for three teams from the same school to reach that stage simultaneously is something genuinely rare.
A week of students leaving their mark — on shirts, on stages, and on the people who were fortunate enough to watch them.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
