Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. Welcome back. There is always something about the first week of the final half term that feels different — the days are longer, the exam hall is busy and there is a quiet sense that the year is building towards something. I hope those in our community who celebrated Eid al-Adha over the break had a peaceful and joyful time with family — Eid Mubarak. This week has been full of the kinds of moments that remind you why our value of community matters, and I would particularly encourage you to read the Year 11 Textiles update below. When a student’s work leads to a letter from Kensington Palace, that is not something you read past quickly.
Year 11 Textiles — John Smedley and the Museum of Making
Over the past year, our Year 11 Textiles students have been involved in a collaboration with The Museum of Making and John Smedley, and this week they received feedback from the judging panel. Their work was assessed on prototype progression, research, design and development.
From the panel discussions, John Smedley will now create a final prototype — an amalgamation of the strongest elements from across the student designs. The panel voted to use the base and tone-on-tone logo of SCH02, combined with the additional logo ideas from SCH01 and SCH04, executed as badges in the style of SCH03’s mood boards. We very much look forward to seeing the finished garment and will of course share it with you.
As John Smedley holds two Royal Appointments from the King and Queen, their CEO Jess Maguire-Dudley wrote to HRH The Princess of Wales to inform her of the project, given her well-known commitment to championing sustainable initiatives. We are proud to share that a letter has been received from Kensington Palace in response. We look forward to seeing the final prototype. You can still visit the Field to Fashion exhibition at The Museum of Making in Derby until October 2026.
Year 11 Update
Early Morning Breakfast and Revision Sessions: As we enter the final stages of the examination series, students have been offered greater flexibility in their studies. A letter was distributed on Friday with full details of the remaining revision sessions on offer and how the final few weeks of Year 11 will look.
Year 11 Graduation: A further reminder that students planning to attend Graduation on Friday 26th June must confirm their attendance via the ClassCharts announcement from Miss Hill. A space will not be reserved for students who do not confirm in time.
Broomfield Land-Based Taster Day: Year 11 students are invited to Broomfield Hall on Monday 29th June for a Land-Based Taster Day. Students can try up to two subject tasters — from Animal Care to Equine Studies, Horticulture to Conservation — meet future tutors, and explore the campus. The day runs from 8:45am to 4pm. A QR code to book a place was included in the letter given to students.
Year 12 Induction Day: Year 11 students who have successfully applied to the Sixth Form have been invited to an Induction Day on Monday 29th June. Students will be emailed directly with a link to RSVP. If your child is attending, please remind them to confirm by Friday 12th June. We look forward to welcoming them into Sixth Form and supporting their transition to Post-16 study.
Year 10 Update
GCSE English Language Spoken Language Endorsement: As part of the GCSE English Language course, all Year 10 students are required to complete the Spoken Language Endorsement (SLE), a compulsory component of the AQA qualification. Students will be given time to prepare in lessons, with assessments scheduled from the week commencing Monday 6th July.
The endorsement provides students with a valuable opportunity to develop and demonstrate formal communication skills through a presentation and question-and-answer session. Although the outcome does not contribute to the final GCSE grade, it is reported separately on the certificate as Distinction, Merit, Pass, or Not Classified. Further information can be found in the letter issued on Friday 5th June.
Year 9 Update — Derby College Visit
Year 9 students visited Derby College Group this week to learn about future education and career opportunities. During the visit, students explored different courses, toured the college facilities, and took part in activities designed to help them think about their future pathways — including A-levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships and higher education routes.
The experience helped students understand how their current learning connects to future careers and encouraged them to set higher goals for themselves. Following the visit, students reflected on the opportunities available to them and were encouraged to think more positively about their future education, career options and personal goals. Visits like these play an important role in raising aspirations and helping young people make informed choices.
Key Stage 3 Update
This is an important stretch of the year for Key Stage 3 students as we look to finish strongly — maintaining high expectations in lessons, attendance and preparation for the transition into the next academic year.
Attendance reminder: Good attendance is essential to ensure students do not miss important learning. If your child is absent for any reason, please contact the school each day of absence. Your support helps us to safeguard all students and support them effectively on their return.
Year 7 Future Skills Questionnaire: During this half term, Year 7 students will complete the Future Skills Questionnaire during their IT lessons. Students do not need to revise or prepare in any way. The questionnaire supports students in thinking about their skills, strengths, interests and future aspirations, and helps the school to evaluate and develop our careers provision. Further information will be shared with families in due course.
China Exchange Trip — March/April 2027
We are delighted to offer students an exciting opportunity to take part in an international exchange visit to our sister school, Hefei No. 8 High School, in China. Students will experience daily life in a Chinese school, work alongside Chinese students on a collaborative project, and gain first-hand experience of the culture and traditions of one of the world’s most fascinating countries.
This is far more than a sightseeing trip — students will develop resilience, independence and confidence while broadening their understanding of different cultures and strengthening their communication and critical thinking skills.
Parent Information Evening: We warmly invite all interested parents and carers to attend our information evening on Tuesday 16th June from 5:30–6:30pm.
Student Leadership Update
Sixth Form Leadership Training: Our Student Leaders have been working together to create an improvement plan and develop a clear vision for the next academic year. Through teamwork, discussion and collaboration, the team has been identifying priorities that will help strengthen student voice and contribute to future school developments. We look forward to sharing their plans with the Senior Leadership Team and the wider community.
Global Clean-Up Initiative: This week also saw the launch of our Global Clean-Up initiative. A number of Year 7 and Year 8 students have been taking part in lunchtime litter-picking sessions across the school site, helping to keep our environment clean and raising awareness of our collective responsibility to care for our planet. Students involved have shown excellent dedication, earning badges in recognition of their commitment. We look forward to seeing even more students getting involved in the coming weeks.
PE and Expressive Arts
Matilda Jr. The Musical: Our School Production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda Jr. will take place on Tuesday 23rd June and Wednesday 24th June, 7:00–8:30pm (doors from 6:45pm). Our cast and production team have been working incredibly hard, and we would love to see as many of our community there as possible. Tickets are available on Arbor Pay at £3 each — 200 per night, first come first served.
PE: Our extracurricular programme continues with Cricket Club, Fitness Club and Running Club all providing excellent opportunities to stay active.
Key dates for the term: City Sports at Moorways (Wednesday 1st July), National School Sports Week (w/c 6th July), and Sports Day (date TBC, July 2026).
Computing Update
Thursday 4th June is AI Awareness Day. The Computing department will be asking all students during tutor time to engage in critical thinking activities — demystifying AI rather than just learning how to use it. Students will explore how AI works, how it will affect future employment, who is behind the technology, and the real cost of using it.
Library Update
Students in Years 11 and 13 are reminded to return any borrowed library books as soon as possible as they come towards the end of their time with us.
On a creative note, a group of students have been working with graffiti artist Matt from Fuzzy Concept and have produced some stunning pieces for the Library and the Thrive building. They look fantastic.
Vaccinations/Medications
Any students who were not in school for the recent HPV or Meningitis/Teenage Booster vaccinations will be able to receive them on Monday 16th June 2026. If you have already given consent, no further action is required.
If your child is in Year 11 or Year 13 and has medication stored in school, they should collect it before their final day. Any items not collected will be disposed of at the end of term — we are unable to retain medication, even for students planning to return for Sixth Form in September.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a “Food Scientist”
Apprenticeship Guide: If your child is considering looking at apprenticeships, the following link will take you to a useful guide for both parents and students.
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
Of all the updates I have written this year, this one contains a line I never expected to type: a letter from Kensington Palace, in response to work produced by our Year 11 Textiles students. I want to pause on that for a moment, because it is easy for something like this to be read and scrolled past. These are students at a secondary school in Derby who designed garments of such quality that a heritage British manufacturer — one with two Royal Appointments — chose to create a prototype from their work, and felt the project was significant enough to bring to the attention of the Princess of Wales. That is extraordinary, and it speaks to something we talk about often but do not always get to see so vividly: that high aspirations, expert teaching, and the right partnerships can take our young people to places none of us quite imagined.
It has been a strong first week back, and the term ahead is full of things to look forward to — Matilda, Sports Day, Graduation, and for some families, the beginning of a conversation about a school trip to China. As ever, thank you for your support.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
