Dear Families,
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. On Friday afternoon, our Year 13 students left timetabled lessons and moved onto study leave — a small but significant moment that always marks the unofficial beginning of the end of their time with us at the academy. After the half term break, we step into the final stretch of what is one of the most rewarding parts of the school calendar: Graduation and the Sixth Form Leavers’ Celebration, Sports Day, end-of-year examinations, and Transition Days for the Year 6 students who will join our community in September. Endings and beginnings, in one half term. For now, with the break in sight, here are this week’s updates.
Year 13 Update
On Friday, our Year 13 students transitioned to study leave. We are incredibly proud that they leave us as confident young adults on the brink of exciting futures, holding offers for prestigious degree apprenticeships with companies including Rolls-Royce and JCB, alongside university offers from institutions such as Durham, Nottingham, Birmingham, Warwick and York — to name just a few. For any students still finalising or securing their next steps, we strongly encourage them to seek support from the Sixth Form Team.
Over half term, we encourage students to attend the subject revision sessions on offer to gain valuable support from teachers. The timetable has been emailed to students, and the study centre will be open from 10am–2pm on Tuesday and Thursday for silent study.
From Monday 1st June, Year 13s are only required to attend lessons for subjects where they have exams remaining. When not in lessons, they are welcome to use our facilities for revision or to leave site, although they must ensure they sign in and out at the Sixth Form office and main reception. Before their final exam, all equipment must be returned and a signed returns card with lanyards handed to Mrs Lefranc in the Sixth Form office. At this point, students will receive their ticket for the Leavers’ Celebration on Thursday 25th June from 4:00–6:00pm in the Sports Hall. Entry will require the physical ticket, which can be purchased via Arbor Pay for £5. We very much look forward to celebrating together.
Year 11 Update
As we draw to the close of the first half of live examinations, we begin by congratulating our Year 11 students on the strong start they have made. A number of intervention sessions are taking place over the half term break, and parents should already have received an email confirming the dates and times of any sessions their child has been invited to.
Invitations for Year 11 Graduation on Friday 26th June have now been sent out to all eligible students via their ClassCharts account. If your child would like to attend, it is essential that they complete the questionnaire confirming their attendance.
Any queries about either of the above can be directed to Miss A. Hill at ahill@derbymoorspencer.org.uk.
Year 9 Balfour Beatty Workshop
On Thursday 21st May, we welcomed Balfour Beatty into school to deliver a workshop for Year 9 students. The session focused on the idea that early life experiences need not place limits on the career success a young person can go on to achieve — a powerful message, and one that resonated.
After exploring the range of career opportunities on offer at Balfour Beatty, students were challenged in small groups to design and build a sustainable bridge. The task drew out exactly the kind of soft skills the workshop was designed to develop — communication, creativity, teamwork and listening — all of which were on display as the groups presented and then tested their creations to see whose bridge was the strongest.
We closed the session by reflecting on the careers our students aspire to and the skills they will need to get there. We are pleased to say that Balfour Beatty have been invited back to continue working with this group of students into Year 10.
Student Leadership Team Update
Another busy week for the Student Leadership Team.
Countdown for Numeracy Day: Student Leaders supported Numeracy Day by running a Countdown-style activity in the Learning Hub — a fun and engaging way for students to celebrate the day while putting their numeracy skills to the test. Congratulations to our winners, who are now enjoying their well-earned chocolate prizes.
Leadership Training: During this week’s enrichment session, the team completed leadership training with Mr Hall. The session focused on key leadership skills and the early stages of formulating our vision and action plan for 2026–27. We look forward to sharing the team’s thinking with the Senior Leadership Team and the wider school community in due course.
PE and Expressive Arts
PE: As we move into Half Term 6, we have a busy programme of events ahead — both participation opportunities and competitive fixtures:
- City Sports — Tuesday 1st July: selected students will represent the school against others from across the city at Moorways.
- National School Sports Week — w/c 6th June: a variety of before-school, lunchtime and after-school activities will be on offer. Keep an eye out for the timetable after half term, which will include some exciting new sports to try.
- Interhouse Cricket and Rounders — w/c 13th July.
- Sports Day — date to be confirmed.
A reminder to parents: please support your child in arriving at PE lessons well equipped for warmer weather. Hats, sunscreen and an additional water bottle on PE days are all strongly advised.
Expressive Arts: Our School Production of Matilda will take place during Term 3. Students and staff have been working hard behind the scenes, and we look forward to showcasing a real range of Expressive Arts talent. Ticket information will be released after half term via Arbor Pay.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a “Marketing Manager.”
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
There is something about the final week before half term that always invites a moment of reflection. On Friday, the Sixth Form Independent Study Areas felt a little different. Our Year 13s have moved on to study leave, and while we will miss seeing them around school as we have for the past two years, seven years for some, it is genuinely thrilling to think of where they will be by September: at Rolls-Royce, at JCB, at Durham, at Nottingham, and at many places besides. They leave us with our every confidence and our very best wishes.
Meanwhile, Year 11 reach the midpoint of their own examination period. They have shown tremendous focus and composure so far, and the break — though still a working one for many of them — comes at exactly the right moment. Rest matters as much as revision.
I would also like to take a moment to acknowledge that Eid al-Adha falls during the half term break. To all the families in our community who will be celebrating, I wish you a peaceful and joyful time together — Eid Mubarak.
School will open at the usual time of 8.30 for all Year Groups (except Year 13) on Monday 1st June. Wishing you all a restful half term, and looking forward to welcoming everyone back for the final stretch.
Scott Doyle
Principal