Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the best of health. We have enjoyed some time to reflect and to say farewell this week with the Year 13 Leavers Assembly and the Year 11 Graduation taking place. We wish them all the very best for their futures. We have welcomed some Year 6 students and parents into the Academy in preparation for starting with us in September and look forward to the full transition events in the calendar for next week.
Year 13 Update
On Monday we had a fantastic time celebrating with our year 13 students and acknowledging all that they have achieved throughout their time at Derby Moor. Fancy clothes were worn, awards were won, and there were plenty opportunities for photographs.
We wish them all the best for their next steps and look forward to hearing about the incredible things we are sure they will go on to do in the world. After two years of hard work we hope that they enjoy a well-earned summer break and we look forward to seeing them on Results Day in August.
Kenya Trip
The long awaited Kenya trip is almost here. Ten students from Years 10-12 will travel on the 2nd August to Nakuru to help out in primary schools run by the charity African Adventures. The students need to take some supplies to give to the school out there so they can run as effectively as possible. If you could spare any of the following items the team would be very grateful. Please bring donations to reception or ask your child to bring them to Miss Lancaster in PA16.
- Packs of chalk, colouring pencils & sharpeners
- Cheap exercise books & old textbooks
- Classroom posters e.g. Number charts, simple phrases (primary age mostly – not just posters you don’t want on your walls next year!)
- Story books – primary school age
- Bats, cones, balls, skipping ropes, play sport equipment (think primary school sports day)
- Sports kits e.g. football shirts, shorts, sports skirts
- Old school uniforms (range of sizes, plain jumpers and polo shirts – avoid school logos)
Student speaking at the House of Lords.
On Monday 16th June, SKS from Year 8 represented the Voice of Young People on behalf of the Teen Tech Advisory Board. They spoke at the Launch of the Report into Skills in the Age of AI in Committee Room G of the House of Lords led by Lord Tim Clement-Jones. After listening to powerful speeches from MPs, Technology and Engineering leads from major companies like Microsoft, Jisc and University professors, she explained the collated findings of The Young People’s Charter for Ethical Innovation and how its principles should be considered when anything new is introduced.
She said, “Listening to other speakers, I was impressed by how informative the event was. It was refreshing to hear that everyone is aware of the issues and knows that there is still work to be done to ensure the successful introduction of AI across the UK. The delegates recognised the importance of upskilling teachers, so students can learn how to use AI safely and responsibly.”
Congratulations to SKS, who is now a member of the Teen Tech Youth Board and spoke with such confidence when answering questions from the audience in exceptionally prestigious company. We were so proud of her.
Year 10 Chess Competition
This week, a group of 4 Year 10 students took part in the National Chess finals at Nottingham University. They competed in 20 games against the top 15 teams in the country. As our first time attending the event, the boys were confident and keen and were a credit to the school with their outstanding attitude and approach to the event.
Year 10 Geography Trip
Year 10 geography students went to Elvaston Castle on Thursday to investigate river processes and gain practical fieldwork experience needed for their Paper 3 GCSE Geography exam: Geographical Applications. They had the chance to measure the width, depth and velocity of a river as well as examining bedload size for evidence of erosion. They will be using the data they collected next week in class as evidence for their river processes investigation. The students all worked really hard and had a fun time applying their learning from the classroom to a new environment.
English Update
On Friday 27th June, a group of Year 12 language students visited Aston University, a fantastic opportunity to develop their critical analysis skills and hear from university professors specialising in various fields of linguistic study. They were also given an insight into life at university with a tour and explanation of what being an English student at university would be like.
The Creative Writing Club hosted their first poetry recital in the FLC this week, where students showcased poems they have been working on at home and in the creative writing masterclasses they attend weekly. From the humorous to the deeply pensive, each student presented themselves and their skills wonderfully.
Call for submissions: we are looking for submissions of creative writing (poems/plays/short stories/ creative descriptions), non-fiction writing (articles, essays, reviews, etc.) and artwork (collage, painting, drawing etc.) for an exciting new publication. The creative writing club, under the ministrations of Mrs Wright and Ms Addis, are publishing a termly Zine where we can showcase the wonderful work of students at DMA. These should be posted in the submissions box outside the English Hub (near So4) or emailed to Mrs Wright or Ms Addis. For any students interested in writing, editing, publishing or journalism, this is fantastic opportunity to get some real life experience that would be wonderful to add to a UCAS application or CV. Students chosen to publish work will have the opportunity to meet with an editor and agree changes – an insight into the publishing process! This first edition of the Zine will focus on the theme of “New Beginnings”. We are excited to see what the students can create!
Sports Update
Sports Day: We are pleased to announce that our annual Whole School Sports Day will take place on Thursday 17th July 2025. This is a key event in our school calendar and a fantastic opportunity for students to represent their Houses and demonstrate teamwork, with a view of the whole school community participating during the day.
A full schedule of events will be shared with students closer to the date. Activities will involve a mixture of competitive and inclusive sporting events, with all students expected to participate and support their House team. The day will close with our celebration hour, with the whole school viewing our athlete procession, final races of the day and presentation to the winning house Captains. We are looking forward to a positive, energetic, and enjoyable day for everyone involved.
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.
Student Leadership Update
Celebrating Our Staff, Pride Month, and Welcoming New Students:
As part of National Teacher Day, students wrote heartfelt messages of appreciation for their teachers, which were delivered as special tokens. This thoughtful gesture was a meaningful way to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our amazing staff.
We’re also proudly celebrating Pride Month across the school. Music by iconic LGBTQ+ artists is being played throughout the day, and form time has featured inspiring slides highlighting key figures and milestones in LGBTQ+ history and culture. These moments help foster a supportive and inclusive community for all.
In addition, preparations are well underway for our upcoming Year 7 and Year 12 induction days next week. Staff and student leaders have been working hard to ensure a warm, informative, and welcoming experience for all incoming students. We’re excited to meet our newest members of the school community and help them feel at home.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a Social Media Specialist
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
Another eventful week at the academy with some key events having taken place. Next week is no quieter with our Year 12 induction and Year 7 transition events taking place. I will look forward to meeting parents of our newest students on Wednesday evening before I head off to the Festival of Education where I will be talking about our Inclusion Provision to an international audience.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Scott Doyle
Principal