Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you well and enjoying or about to enjoy a warm spring weekend. It has certainly felt a little more like summer at the academy this week with the fields now open and a prolonged spell of drier, warmer weather. Whilst the temperatures are due to fall next week, I’ll take this opportunity to remind families that students can bring their own water bottles and are able to use our water fountains before school, at break and at lunch. They won’t be leaving lesson to do this as there is ample time to do so during non-lesson time. Uniform remains in place as normal, there is more detail on this below. Students should be prepared for sunnier days with sun cream for the walk to and from school and during break and lunch. Whilst there is plenty covered space to seek shade, most prefer to use the open spaces and ought to be sensible and prepared with sun cream if they are to do so.
GCSE History and Geography Revision Masterclasses
Our Trust Director of Humanities is running a number of live Masterclasses for our Year 11s, starting this week and running throughout the exam season. You can find further information attached to the email version of this update.
Year 11 Update
Alongside Year 13, our Year 11 students have now begun their formal examinations and we wish both year groups the very best as they start this intense period. We know you understand the importance of ensuring that students receive as much time with subject specialists as possible in the run up to each examination. As such, we have timetabled a revision session for all students the day before or on the day of an exam with a subject specialist, usually their normal teacher, to help with final preparations. This is a considerable undertaking and means that normal lessons are rearranged to allow this to happen. These revision sessions will take place in the school day throughout the exam period alongside normal lessons. You can see the initial few weeks of sessions attached to the email version of this update. The school day will remain unaffected, starting at 8.40 each day and ending at 15.05 (or 14.45 on Wednesday).
National Literacy Trust Power of Voice Project
Across the past four weeks, the English department have been delighted to work in partnership with the National Literacy Trust to participate in their Power of Voice writing programme with some of our KS3 groups. The Power of Voice programme seeks to empower young people to tell the stories that matter to them, harnessing the power of writing to share stories and experiences with a real audience and drive change. As part of this project, the pupils were provided with the opportunity to work with the award-winning writer, poet and lyricist Jamie Thrasivoulou from Derby. Amongst other work, Jamie is very well-known for his poem ‘We Are Derby’ which has been played on the big screen before every home game at the Pride Park stadium and he is the official Derby County Football Club poet.
All the KS3 groups participating did an amazing job with engaging in and contributing to the sessions. It was clear to see from their enthusiasm in the workshops that they very much enjoyed being provided with the opportunity to discuss thought provoking ideas that they were passionate about, and to be given a sense of creative freedom when writing up their ideas. As always, our pupils were incredible in showcasing our Derby Moor values and were commended by the poet for their conduct and engagement across the programme. Following on from these sessions, the English department will be working with the pupils to submit their work to the National Literacy Trust for the chance to have their work published in the Trust’s ‘Power of Voice’ zine.
Attendance – Medical Appointment Reminder
A gentle reminder to families that- medical appointments should be made out of school time, however, if this is not possible please contact school at least 24 hours in advance to inform us if your child will be coming in late or leaving early due to an appointment. All appointments will need evidence from the practitioner for them to be authorised. You can contact school on 01332 772706, pressing option 1 or email attendance@derbymoorspencer.org.uk
Uniform
As we approach the end of this academic year, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind parents and carers of where they can purchase school uniform. Please find attached price lists and information for Uniform Direct and Morley’s Schoolwear. A full list of uniform can be found on our website.
As we approach the summer, we keep a close eye the weather and will make advance judgements if we are to make any adjustments to our expectations on any given day or over a period of time. As things stand, students should be attending in full school uniform including blazers. If they are concerned about the heat, they can leave jumpers, jackets etc at home but should still have their blazer with them and on during the school day. The blazer is practical as it is easy to remove with a teacher’s permission in lessons and it holds the necessary stationary etc that the students need. We will notify you on social channels and via email if there is to be any adjustment to this.
Vacancies
We have a variety of vacancies out to advert at present in both support and teaching roles. They can be found here and include Second in Charge of Art, Design and Technology, Teaching and Learning Supervisor and Teacher of English.
PTFA meeting
The next PTFA meeting takes place on Tuesday 14th May, 6-7pm in LH1. Please arrive at the main entrance and Mr Scott will let you in.
Careers Update
Job of the Week: This week’s job of the week is a Cardiologist.
Derby Moor Dispatch: The Derby Moor Dispatch goes out weekly to all students in Year 11, 12 and 13. The Dispatch contains a wide range of opportunities for work experience, summer schools, careers related webinars and so on. Please do have a look at the latest edition. The Dispatch is emailed to the students’ school email address, so it is important that they check this regularly on a Monday. 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.
Year 10 Parents Evening: It was great to welcome Derby College, Derby University, Luminate Careers, and Althaus to our Year 10 Parents Evening this week. As part of the Next Steps process we wanted to involve all of our parents/carers directly in finding out about pathways available. We fully recognise that good careers guidance doesn’t just happen in school. Evidence shows that it requires positive, constructive conversations between parents/carers and their child. Careers guidance is key to helping young people make positive decisions about their future and it provides young people, whatever their background with the skills and information they need to make good decisions about their future education and work options. The greatest influence on young people comes from their family and social network so working in partnership with the school will provide the best environment for good decisions to be made.
Year 12 Parents Evening (15th May 2024): Next Wednesday we will be welcoming visitors from Derby University; Leicester University; Loughborough University; Althaus; Balfour Beatty and Derby County Community Trust to attend our Year 12 Parents Evening. As part of the Next Steps process we would like to involve all of our parents/carers directly in finding out about pathways available Post 18.
Luminate Careers: This week our independent and impartial careers advisers from Luminate Careers will start to work with students in Year 12 and Year 10. Over the coming weeks they will be running workshops for all Year 12 students on ‘Skills and Strengths’ as well as offering a drop in service for students. In addition, workshops on Sixth Form; College & Apprenticeships will be help for students in Year 10. If you would like to find out more about the work Luminate Careers or indeed contact the please visit the Careers page of our school website.
Sports Update
In PE this Week: Now we are in the summer term students are more inclined to wear shorts in PE. Please can all families ensure that all shorts for PE are loose fitting shorts. No cycling or tight fitted shorts. A further reminder to bring sun cream, hay fever medication and caps to protect themselves as much as possible.
Extra-Curricular Timetable: Please find the extra-curricular timetable for next week attached to the email version of this update.
Staff Spotlight
This week, we shine the Staff Spotlight on one of our Head of Sixth Form, Miss Burn:
- Q) How long have you worked at Derby Moor Spencer Academy?
- A) This is my seventh year at Derby Moor, I joined the academy in September 2017 as Head of Faculty for Art, Design & Technology.
- Q) What is your role and what does it entail?
- A) Outside of classroom teaching I spend a lot of time working with universities and local businesses to provide students with insight and opportunities that align with their aspirations. What I love the most is finding out what students enjoy, what they are good at and where they want to go; my job is to essentially to guide students through Sixth Form and provide them with the opportunities that develop them towards their next steps.
- Q) What is your favourite thing about working here?
- A) Very easy question. The students – it’s all about them.
- Q) Who is the person who inspires you most?
- A) This is a difficult one as so many people inspire me for so many reasons. The top three have to be:
- Music: Stevie Nicks
- Design: Tom Dixon
- Fashion: Alexander McQueen
Go google them… you will be inspired.
- Q) What other interesting roles or experiences have you had?
- A) When I was 17 I started out scooping mint choc chip ice cream at the local reservoir which I loved. I then worked as an assistant to a local Interior Designer. I worked at paint a pot too which I often go back to with my son for a bit of reminiscence. These part time jobs instilled a strong work ethic in me and I love going back to see how things have changed since I was there!
Final notes
The exam period always brings a new dynamic to how our school feels each year. Most notably for those in Year 11 and 13 as they enter a challenging and influential period in their lives. It also effects the younger Year Groups too as they get to see how the business end of school looks with students moving through school to the examination hall, spending their free time independently revising and reflecting on their experience after each exam. I know form speaking with Year 10s this week that this has brought a new level of reality and focus to their studies this week. Coming up next week we have a number of Year 10 travelling to Aberdovey in Wales for their outward bound trip with DHL, Year 12 parents evening on Wednesday and some cooler temperatures on their way.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Scott Doyle
Principal