Dear Families
I hope this update finds you and those closest to you in good health. This last week has not been a typical week, by any stretch of the imagination. We’ve had a heatwave with most days above 30 degrees, a relaxed uniform code to match, two evenings of Matilda Jr. that genuinely lifted the spirits of everyone who saw it, the Year 13 Leavers Event on Thursday and Year 11 Graduation on Friday. Through all of it, our staff and our community have simply pulled together — adapting, accommodating, and getting on with things in the way that our community does. We have also welcomed some of our Year 6 students and their families into the Academy in preparation for September, and look forward to the full transition events in the calendar this week for parents and next week for students. There is a lot to share below, but I would encourage you to read the PEAA section in particular — Matilda deserves more than a passing mention.
Post 16 Update
Y12 BTEC Sport Work Experience: Our Year 12 BTEC Sport students are gaining valuable experience this half term by supporting PE lessons at Carlyle Infant School. As part of the vocational side of their course, they’re developing key skills in leadership and communication and supporting PE staff at the school during their curriculum lessons. Their placement will also involve supporting the running of Carlye’s Sports Day on 23rd June.
Derby University BTEC Sport Visit: Our Y12 Extended Diploma and National Diploma BTEC Sport students visited Derby University on 19th June for their Schools and Colleges Open Day. The day was designed to give Year 12 students a comprehensive understanding of what the University of Derby has to offer.
Students were able to talk to experienced academics and current students to gain valuable insights and answer any questions they may have.
Students took part in 3 bespoke subject taster sessions, where they were able to experience life as a student in practical based sessions, talk to teaching staff about their course of interest; and explore the facilities they’ll potentially be using as a student.
Year 13 Leavers: On Thursday 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 of 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.
Year 10 Update
Mock Exams: A huge well done to our Year 10 students for making such a positive start to their mock examinations this week. It has been fantastic to see the calm, mature and focused approach shown by our students, with excellent attendance, conduct and effort across exam sessions. These mocks are an important opportunity to experience formal exam conditions, identify strengths and areas for development, and build confidence ahead of Year 11. Students are reminded to continue preparing thoroughly and giving their best effort throughout the remainder of the mock period. Keep going Year 10 – we are proud of the way you have started.
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.
Key Stage 3 Update
Celebrating Success – School Production: Matilda
Well done to all Year 7 and Year 8 students who were involved in the school production of Matilda. The talent, confidence and teamwork on display were fantastic. More detail on this later in the update.
Attendance Reminder – Final Push for the Year
As we approach the end of the academic year, we are making a final push on attendance. Please continue to send your child into school wherever possible. If they feel unwell during the day, we will ensure they are looked after and sent home if needed.
If your child is absent, please inform the attendance team via email so we can keep our records up to date and provide appropriate support.
Student Achievement
Congratulations to AH in 7JAB, who took part in a performing arts competition in Nottingham last weekend. AH achieved an outstanding result, coming 1st Female out of 12 performers in both Singing and Dance. This is an incredible achievement, and we look forward to hearing about many more successes in the future.
Upcoming Events – Inspiration Day
Year 7 and Year 8 students will take part in an upcoming Inspiration Day focused on key employability skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving. Students will engage in a range of activities designed to build confidence and collaboration.
PEEA Update
Matilda: What our students achieved this week was genuinely something to be proud of. The commitment, energy, resilience and teamwork shown over rehearsals and performances was outstanding. Students gave up break times, worked through technical challenges, adapted quickly, supported each other and then stepped onto stage and delivered performances full of confidence, humour and heart.
A special mention has to go to Miss Trunchbull – absolutely brilliant. Equal parts terrifying and hilarious, with comic timing that had the audience in stitches and a stage presence that completely owned every scene.
And Matilda… wow. What a performance. Such warmth, confidence and control, and what a voice. A genuinely moving and impressive lead performance that carried the show beautifully.
There were so many standout moments:
- The energy and characterisation across the ensemble
- Brilliant comic moments throughout (the audience reactions said it all)
- Fantastic choreography and commitment from every year group involved
- Students stepping up backstage, on tech and supporting one another behind the scenes
- Cast members encouraging each other and celebrating each other’s successes
One of the loveliest things to watch was seeing students who are quiet in lessons become completely transformed on stage. Productions like this remind us why opportunities beyond the classroom matter so much.
Thank you for your support if you came to watch and keep an eye out – planning has already begun for the next school production.
Sports Day: We are pleased to announce that our annual Whole School Sports Day will take place on Thursday 16th July 2026. 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
NTC Derby is delivering The Mix @ King George V, a unique Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for young people aged 8-16. The programme is designed around choice, participation, wellbeing and personal development, offering a wide range of activities in one safe and welcoming location.
The Mix allows young people to choose from a variety of activities and try something different each day such as Football, Cricket, Table Tennis, Martial Arts, Archery, Glass Painting, Arts & Crafts, LEGO® Therapy, Foodie Fun Sessions, Team Challenges, Wellbeing Activities, Nutritious Meals. Young people can stay active, get creative, develop new skills, build confidence, make friends and enjoy positive holiday experiences in a supportive environment.
Eligible families can register and book places through:
https://app.holidayactivities.com/parent/providers/ntc-derby
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme: Bookings for summer Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) clubs are now open! Check your inbox for an email from HolidayActivities.com and follow the instructions to book.
Student Leadership Update
Celebrating Our Staff: 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.
Year 7 & Year 12 Induction: 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.
Year 13 Leavers Event & Year 11 Graduation: Student leaders have worked really hard this week helping staff to get the room ready for the Year 13 and Year 11 Graduations. The same space was used on Thursday evening and Friday morning, so a team of willing helpers was needed to both set-up and then take down and set-up again. They did an excellent job – a genuine example of our community living out our motto – Together We Succeed.
Careers Update
This week’s job of the week is a “Doctor”
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
There will be Friday afternoons I forget. This will not be one of them.
To watch Year 13 walk out of their leavers assembly on Thursday, and then to watch Year 11 file into Graduation on Friday morning — most of them the same young people I greeted nervously on their first day in Year 7 — was to be reminded, quietly and without ceremony, of what this job is really about. Five years for our Year 11s. Seven for our Year 13s. Hundreds of lessons, thousands of small moments, and then, in the end, a single event to mark it all. Both events were everything we hoped they would be: warm, generous, occasionally tearful, and full of the kind of pride that only comes from knowing how hard a young person has worked to get to a particular point.
I want to acknowledge our staff. To run two leavers events back-to-back in 30-degree heat, on the day following our school production, while simultaneously preparing for next week’s transition days, is no small thing. Our PEAA team put on two performances of Matilda Jr. that audience members are still talking about. Our teaching and pastoral teams kept students, safe and well-supported through some genuinely hot days. None of this happens by itself. I am very grateful.
Next week brings our Year 6 transition evening, then the week after our transition days — three days of nervous excitement, name labels and new beginnings. After a week of so many endings, there is something rather lovely about that.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Scott Doyle
Principal
