Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in the very best of health. Although it has been a slightly less busy week in terms of external visitors, we have still enjoyed a typically productive week, with our Year 10 and Post‑16 students visiting Oxford University — an inspiring experience that offered them first‑hand insight into university life at one of the world’s leading educational institutions.
Move to Arbor Pay
After the Easter/Spring Break we will be moving from Parent Pay to Arbor Pay. On Monday the 16th of March you will all have received your logon details to the Arbor Pay system. Please login as soon as you can to familiarise yourself with the system.
If you have any issues logging in to the system, please try and reset your password via this link – https://derby-moor-spencer-academy.uk.arbor.education/
The last day for use of Parent Pay was Friday 27th March, over the Easter/Spring break you will be informed of when you can top up your Arbor account if this is needed, all current balances will be moved over from Parent Pay to Arbor Pay. From Monday the 13th of April Arbor Pay will be in use and Parent Pay will no longer be accessible in school.
Year 9 Vaccinations
A reminder that the electronic permission forms have been issued for the Teenage Booster (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Polio) and Meningitis ACWY vaccines. The form closed on Monday 30th March. All students with consent will be seen on 13th April 2026.
Year 11 Update
Year 11 parents’ evening: Thank you to all the families who joined us for the Year 11 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday, 25th March. It was wonderful to reconnect and share meaningful discussions about student progress, the upcoming summer exams, and the path to success for each of our students. After the second round of mock exams, our teachers shared helpful resources and strategies to support students in reaching their full potential. If you were unable to attend, we will be sending home your child’s latest data point via email, which details their performance in this round of mocks. We encourage you to review this and work together with your child to prepare for their final summer examinations.
Easter holiday intervention sessions: Based on our recent data analysis, we organised intervention sessions for the Easter break and invited students who we feel would benefit most from the targeted content. This information was shared with those who attended Parents’ Evening, so if you were unable to attend, please look out for an email outlining the sessions your child was invited to. If you have any queries in relation to the sessions outlined, please do not hesitate to contact Miss A Hill at ahill@derbymoorspencer.org.uk.
Year 10 Update
Year 10 Parents Evening: Year 10 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday, 22nd April 2025. Appointments will continue to be booked via School Cloud, but the event itself will take place in person. Appointment booking details along with login credentials were sent to parents on Wednesday 25th March, and bookings will remain open until Tuesday 21st April. Please note that some teachers have multiple classes, so we recommend scheduling your appointments as early as possible. In addition to Parents’ Evening, a mini careers fair will also be hosted that night, this will feature a range of employers, colleges and post-16 educational providers. We look forward to seeing you there.
Year 10 JCB Workshop: Year 10 have had a really purposeful and productive couple of weeks, with a strong focus on preparing for their next steps beyond Year 11. This week, students took part in a CV workshop delivered in partnership with JCB, where they explored how to present their skills, experiences and achievements effectively, alongside gaining valuable insight into the recruitment process. This forms part of a wider careers programme, including upcoming mock interviews after Easter and a visit to the University of Derby later in the year. Students will now continue developing their CVs during tutor time, building on the guidance they have received. Alongside this, students continue to engage well in lessons, and it is encouraging to see many taking greater ownership of their progress as they move through this important stage of Year 10.
Key Stage 3 Update
As we are at the end of term, we want to wish all our KS3 students and families a restful, enjoyable Easter break. This pause in the school year offers students a valuable opportunity to recharge, spend time with family, and return ready for the exciting learning ahead.
While the break is much deserved, it also marks an important transition into the summer term, a period that plays a vital role in students’ progress. Research consistently shows that strong routines and high attendance have a significant positive impact on academic outcomes. Students who attend regularly and settle quickly back into school rhythms are more likely to retain previous learning and engage successfully with new material (DfE, 2022). Similarly, studies into habit formation highlight that consistent daily structures reduce stress and improve motivation by providing predictability and stability (Lally et al., 2010).
When students return, re‑establishing familiar routines—arriving punctually, organising equipment, following classroom expectations, and engaging positively—will help set them up for success. Good attendance is equally crucial; even small gaps in learning can accumulate over time, especially in the summer term when key curriculum content builds towards future year groups.
Year 7 – Smashed Theatre in Education Performance: On Tuesday 25th March 2026, during Period 1, Year 7 took part in an impactful Theatre in Education performance titled “Smashed”. This one-hour performance focused on the dangers of alcohol, exploring how alcohol misuse can affect friendships, peer groups, and educational progress. Through a powerful storyline and relatable characters, students were encouraged to think carefully about the consequences of risky choices. The session also included opportunities for Year 7 to interact with the performers, who posed thought-provoking questions about decision-making and how to handle pressure within social groups. Students responded brilliantly, showing maturity, respect, and excellent engagement throughout. They represented both themselves and the school extremely well. In addition to its important safeguarding themes, Smashed also showcased several employability skills valuable for students interested in future careers in the performing arts, including teamwork, clear communication, live performance skills, adaptability, and professional conduct.
Student Leadership Update
The Student Leadership Team is delighted to share highlights from two recent events that brought energy, creativity, and a strong sense of community to our school.
Our Eid celebrations were a great success, with students enjoying a warm and festive start to the day. Chocolates were handed out at the school entrance, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. At lunchtime, the highly anticipated samosa sale proved extremely popular, with many students queuing to take part. In addition, activities such as henna art gave students the opportunity to engage with and appreciate cultural traditions, making the celebration both fun and meaningful.
We also saw fantastic participation in our Easter Cake Competition. The event was very well represented across year groups, with students showcasing impressive creativity and baking skills. From intricate designs to imaginative themes, the standard was exceptionally high. Students truly rose to the occasion and produced some eggcellent cakes.
Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate Vaisakhi after the Easter holidays with a week of activities:
- Monday 13th April – Making Vaisakhi greeting cards (Learning Hub)
- Tuesday 14th April – Samosas and Indian sweet treats (Food Hut)
- Wednesday 15th April – Turban tying (Learning Hub)
- Thursday 16th April – Turban tying (Learning Hub)
- Friday 17th April – Phulkari designs (Learning Hub)
We encourage all students to get involved in these exciting activities and learn more about this important celebration.
The Student Leadership Team would like to thank all students and staff who contributed to making these events so enjoyable and memorable
Post 16 Update
Oxford University Residential Trip: This week a group of year 12 students visited Oxford university for an overnight residential trip. This unique experience allowed them to gain valuable insights into university life, including the intricacies of crafting a successful higher education application. The students explored the historic city of Oxford, discovering its rich academic culture and diverse courses. Overall, the trip not only broadened their horizons but also equipped them with the knowledge and motivation needed to pursue their future academic aspirations. The students were a credit to the academy and thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
ASSET UK Visit: This week, we were delighted to welcome Andrew Checkely from ASSET UK, who delivered an inspiring presentation to our Year 12 students about the importance of organ, stem cell, and blood donation, and the life-changing impact it can have.
ASSET UK has been working with our Year 12s for many years, and we are incredibly proud to continue raising awareness of such an important cause among our pupils. We were also honoured to receive an award in recognition of our ongoing support. Mr Faragher, our Pastoral Lead, accepted the award on behalf of the school. A huge thank you to Andrew and ASSET UK for their continued partnership and for helping to make a real difference
Careers Update
Supporting Your Young Person: Exploring a Career in the British Army:
Tuesday 28 April | 18:00 – 19:00 | Online
The Army are hosting a free online session for parents and guardians to provide clear guidance on how they can support their young person if they’re considering the British Army. The session is designed to help change that by bringing reliable information together in one place. You can register for the event here: https://britishar.my/AParentsPerpectiveEvent
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
As we reach the end of term, I want to extend my sincere thanks for your continued support. It has been a short but purposeful half term across the Academy, and our students should be proud of the way they have approached their learning, enrichment events, and wider opportunities. I hope all members of our community have enjoyed a restful and well‑deserved break. Whether you are spending time with family, travelling, or simply taking the chance to pause and recharge, I hope the holiday brings warmth, reflection and a little breathing space before we begin the summer term together.
Wishing a very happy Easter to those who are celebrating,
Scott Doyle
Principal