Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the best of health. The external exams have drawn to a close this week, we’ve begun said farewell to Year 11 with the annual shirt signing event and we look forward to the Year 11 and Year 13 leavers events further down the line. Students in Year 10 and 9 have been completing their end of year assessments alongside, meanwhile our PE team have been organising additional events for National School Sports Week, we’ve had students visiting Loughborough University and students in Years 7 and 9 competing in the Big Bang competition at the NEC. Another busy week.
China School Visit
On 2nd-4th July we look forward to welcoming 30 students from Hefei No.50 school. The students will be here to experience lessons and learn about the city of Derby. There will be several events throughout the 3 days for our students to interact with our visitors and show them what Derby Moor is all about. We’re hugely excited to show them our school and to further strengthen our partnership.
Littleover Tennis Camps
Littleover Tennis Club have asked us to let you know that they will be running Tennis Camps during the Summer holiday. The camps run each day from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm and will take place during the following weeks: From Monday 4th August to Friday 8th August; Monday 11th August to Friday 15th August and then from Monday 18th August to Friday 22nd August. Further information and the booking form can be found and downloaded from the website at www.littleovertennis.co.uk.
Year 11 Update
It has been a busy and memorable week for our Year 11 students as the GCSE examination period drew to a close. On Monday morning, following the completion of their final full cohort exam, we suspended the usual timetable to hold our annual shirt-signing event.
Students enjoyed a few hours out on the field, exchanging farewells and signing each other’s shirts—many of which featured some truly creative, pre-prepared designs. This is always a joyful occasion, filled with laughter and celebration, though it also carries a touch of sadness as it signals the end of their time with us in the main school. To mark the event, and help everyone cool off on a warm day, we arranged for a surprise visit from an ice cream van—much to the delight of both students and staff.
We now look forward to the upcoming Year 11 Graduation Day on 27th June and Sixth Form Induction Day on 30th June for those planning to continue their journey with us.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all parents and carers for their unwavering support throughout this lengthy and demanding exam period. Your encouragement has made a real difference.
Year 10 Update
Year 10 product Design: Product Design students have now begun their coursework element, which will run until March 2026. 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 ability. 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 other vital 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 in Product Design 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, but we will update this on Classcharts at the time.
Year 10 Hospitality and Catering: Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students have just completed their first three-hour practical mock exam. Students were tasked with designing and making a main meal, accompaniment, and dessert that met the nutritional needs of teenagers. The brief they were provided with asked them to present the meal at an awards ceremony for winners of sporting events. The students performed exceptionally well in the practical mock exam, fully considered the requirements of the brief and presented their dishes to a high standard. You can see some examples of their work here.
Science Update
Big Bang Fair: On Tuesday 17th June, a group of our Year 7 students had the exciting opportunity to attend the Big Bang Fair at the NEC – and what an inspirational day it was. From hands-on science activities to interactive technology showcases, our students immersed themselves in the wonders of STEM and represented our school with enthusiasm, curiosity, and excellent conduct throughout the day.
We are also incredibly proud to congratulate two of our Year 9 students who were finalists in the prestigious Big Bang Competition for the IPO Award. Although they didn’t win, reaching the national finals is an outstanding achievement and a testament to their creativity, hard work and passion. They have made our school community very proud, and we look forward to seeing what they do for next year’s entry. Thank you for all staff involved in the build-up to the and those who assisted the students on the day, a brilliant experience and a proud moment for our school.
Year 12 Update: Last week the Year 12 science students embarked on an exciting and educational trip to Loughborough University, where they took part in a series of hands-on experiments designed to bring classroom theory to life. The budding scientists explored aseptic techniques in a controlled lab environment, investigated the fascinating glow of Luminol luminescence—a reaction famously used in forensic science—and measured the speed of sound using advanced equipment. Throughout the day, students not only deepened their understanding of scientific principles but also sharpened their practical skills and dexterity. The experience offered a valuable glimpse into real-world applications of science, inspiring many to consider futures in STEM fields.
PE Update
National School Sports Week: Well done to every student who has participated in a club this week. The PE team and other staff have organised clubs every morning, lunch and after school to encourage every student to take part in 60 minutes of extra physical activity. We have had over hundreds of students participate over the week with many completing 6 activities or more.
Y9 Go Ape Trip: The Go Ape Trip is next Thursday. All 90 spaces are now full, and a confirmation text will go out to all parents. Students taking part have been asked to arrive in school for 7.45am. They are to wear their PE kit and bring lunch, unless this is provided by the school. We aim to arrive back at Derby Moor for 4pm. Please see the letter for further information.
Summer Holiday Activities
Students who receive benefits-related free school meals are entitled to free holiday activities over the summer holidays. Holiday clubs are available across Derby where your child can make new friends and take part in a wide range of activities including sport, dance, drama, arts and crafts, as well as enjoying a meal each day. If your child is eligible, you will receive an email from HolidayActivities.com. Just follow the instructions in this email to book. Bookings for summer clubs will open at the end of June. Further details can be found on their website here.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a Mental Health Therapist
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 Thoughts
That is everything for this week. Next week we say farewell to Year 13 with their leavers assembly on Monday, Year 11 then have their Graduation event on Friday – it will be emotional. The following week we will be welcoming our newest students to our community for three transition days, and I’ll be off to share our approach to Inclusion at the Festival of Education. As we move into July, we will have our Inclusion Quality Mark re-assessed with a visit from one of the team at IQM, as such, your child may be selected to take part in interviews or to give insight into what life is like at Derby Moor.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Scott Doyle
Principal