Get Ready for Sports Day 2026!

12 Jul 2026

Excitement is building as Sports Day arrives on Friday 17th July, promising a fantastic day of competition, teamwork and school spirit. Students from every year group will have the opportunity to represent their house, challenge themselves in a wide range of athletic events and cheer on their classmates in what is always one of the highlights of the school calendar.

The day begins with students arriving in their PE kit, ready for action. Throughout the morning, students in Years 7 to 10 will take part in a series of field and track events, including the 1500m, 800m and 300m races, as well as long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, javelin and discus. Competitors will be representing their houses in the quest for valuable points and house glory.

A huge team of staff and student leaders will be helping to run events, record results and support competitors throughout the day. Our Year 10 leaders, alongside staff volunteers, will be playing an important role in ensuring events run smoothly and that competitors are encouraged every step of the way.

After lunch, the whole school will gather trackside for an exciting afternoon of athletics and house rivalry. Students will sit with their house teams—Wollaton, Newstead, Rufford and Clumber—creating a fantastic atmosphere as competitors take to the track.

The afternoon programme features some of Sports Day’s most eagerly anticipated events. Spectators can look forward to the fast-paced 200m and 100m races across all year groups, followed by the ever-popular relay races, where teamwork, determination and house pride will be on full display. If time allows, there may even be a staff relay to add a little extra excitement to the afternoon!

At 2:30pm, winners will be recognised during the medal presentation ceremony, celebrating the outstanding performances, effort and sportsmanship shown throughout the day.

Sports Day is about much more than winning medals. It is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves, support their peers, represent their house with pride and make lasting memories. Whether competing on the track, throwing for distance, jumping for a personal best or cheering from the sidelines, every student has an important role to play in making the day a success.

With warm weather expected, students are reminded to bring a full water bottle, and they are welcome to wear a baseball cap or sun hat while supporting their house.

We can’t wait to see the determination, enthusiasm and house spirit on display. Good luck to all competitors—and may the best house win! 🏆

Park Vale Students Set to Compete in Trust Robotics Competition 2026

12 Jul 2026

Four talented Year 8 students from Park Vale Academy will be putting their programming, problem-solving and teamwork skills to the test when they take part in the Redhill Academy Trust Robotics Competition at The Bolsover School on Monday 13th July 2026.

The annual competition brings together teams of Year 8 girls from across the Trust for an exciting day of innovation, creativity and technology-based challenges. Students will use robots that they have programmed themselves to complete a series of tasks, manoeuvre through obstacle courses and respond to challenge briefs designed to test their computing skills.

The event was established to inspire more girls to explore opportunities in computing, engineering and technology, helping to address the under-representation of women in technology-related careers. As part of the day, students will also learn about the wide range of exciting pathways available within the digital and technology sectors.

Throughout the competition, teams will be challenged to demonstrate:

• Programming and computational thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Creativity and innovation
• Teamwork and communication
• Resilience and perseverance when tackling complex challenges

In previous competitions, students have impressed judges with inventive robot routines featuring lights, music and carefully programmed movements, showcasing both technical ability and imagination.

At Park Vale Academy, we are proud to encourage students to develop their STEM skills and embrace opportunities beyond the classroom. The competition provides a fantastic platform for students to apply their learning in a real-world context while competing alongside peers from schools across the Trust.

We would like to wish our four Year 8 representatives the very best of luck as they prepare to represent Park Vale Academy at this prestigious event. We know they will be excellent ambassadors for the school and look forward to hearing about their experiences and achievements following the competition.

Good luck, Team Park Vale!

West End Adventure Awaits: London Theatre Residential 2026

12 Jul 2026

Park Vale Academy Students Set for an Unforgettable London Experience

This July, a group of our dedicated Drama and Dance students will embark on an exciting two-day residential visit to London, packed with performance, creativity and inspiration.

The London Theatre Tour, taking place on 14th and 15th July 2026, has been designed to reward students for their commitment to the performing arts while providing a unique opportunity to experience the very best of London’s world-famous theatre scene.

A Behind-the-Scenes Theatre Experience

One of the highlights of the trip will be an exclusive practical workshop at Pineapple Studios, one of the UK’s most renowned performing arts venues. Students will work with industry professionals, including performers with West End experience, learning rehearsal techniques and re-staging sections of a musical in a professional studio environment.

This hands-on experience will give students a valuable insight into the demands, discipline and creativity required to succeed in the performing arts industry.

Two Blockbuster West End Productions

Students will enjoy performances of two spectacular West End musicals:

• Hercules at the historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
• Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Watching professional productions of this calibre allows students to see the skills they develop in school brought to life on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.

Exploring the Capital

The residential is about more than theatre. Students will also have the opportunity to experience some of London’s most iconic attractions, including:

• A visit to Covent Garden, famous for its vibrant atmosphere, street performers and unique shops.
• A trip on the London Eye, offering breathtaking panoramic views across the capital.
• Time to explore the South Bank and soak up the sights and culture of London.

Developing Confidence and Cultural Capital

Educational visits such as this play an important role in enriching students’ learning beyond the classroom. The trip will help students:

• Develop independence and confidence.
• Gain first-hand experience of professional theatre and performance.
• Build cultural awareness and appreciation of the arts.
• Create lasting memories with friends and staff.

Looking Forward to an Incredible Trip

Amy Goddard, Curriculum Lead for Drama and Dance, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in the world of professional theatre. From practical workshops and world-class performances to exploring iconic London landmarks, the trip promises to be both educational and inspirational. We are excited to share this experience with our students and help nurture their passion for the performing arts.”

We are looking forward to seeing our talented students represent Park Vale Academy and return with new skills, fresh inspiration and unforgettable memories.

A REMINDER: INSET DAY FRIDAY 26th June and MONDAY 29th June 2026

25 Jun 2026

Extreme Weather Adaptations to Uniform – Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24th June 2026

23 Jun 2026

Due to the extreme temperatures expected tomorrow and Thursday, the government have issued a RED extreme weather warning. So in these exceptional circumstances, we are allowing students the option of wearing PE kit Wednesday and Thursday however this must be the official academy PE top, shorts (no hot pants etc.) and proper trainers (no crocs, sliders etc.)

Alternatively, students are obviously free to continue wearing their normal uniform without a blazer or tie as they were today. However normal expectations apply regarding shirts still being tucked in and shoes not trainers if they prefer the uniform option.

In summary:,

Option1: Official academy PE top, shorts (no hot pants etc.) and proper trainers (no crocs, sliders etc.)

Option 2:Normal uniform without a blazer or tie as they were today. However normal expectations apply regarding shirts still being tucked in and shoes not trainers, if they prefer the uniform option.

No other options are available.

Special Menu Wednesday 24th June

19 Jun 2026

Thursday 18th June –

15 Jun 2026

Y9 Talking About Communication Y9 – 25th June 2026

14 Jun 2026

Expert trainers from Talk The Talk will be in school on Thursday, 25^th June to work with students in our Year Group 9.

Talk The Talk’s mission is to develop students’ oracy skills and their communication confidence to support positive interaction in all life situations and improved social outcomes.

Talk The Talk has trained over 115,000 students to be confident communicators across England and Wales since they began in 2013.

The Talk About Communication workshop is an exciting and engaging master class developing speaking and listening skills within a creative learning environment. The workshop provides numerous speaking opportunities and students are coached and supported throughout the day to deliver a structured two minute presentation, on a topic for which they have a genuine passion, to their peers.

‘We demonstrate that speaking out should be an experience that we CAN do – and one that is nowhere near as daunting as we might think. One of the keys to the success of the Talk The Talk programme is creating an environment of mutual respect with a supportive ethos so that when students stand up and voice their opinions, share their thoughts and present their ideas – their skill and confidence grows.’

Talk The Talk

To learn more about Talk The Talk’s work visit them at: www.talkthetalkuk.org

See what teachers are saying about us on twitter

Y8 PARENTS EVENING BOOKING SYSTEM: Parents Evening Wednesday 8th July 2026 4pm – 7pm

12 Jun 2026

Please use the link below to book your appointments

https://parkvaleacademy.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/

Click here for a parents evening guide to using the system

Questions you may wish to ask at parents’ evenings

Jot down a list of questions and/or observations (not too many, though) on each subject in advance so you’re your appointments are focused and make the most of the limited time.

Some useful questions might be:

• Is my child’s progress in line with the teacher’s expectations?
• Has he or she done anything particularly well, or badly?
• What can he or she do to improve?
• Are they attending the extra revision sessions after school?
• How can I help as a parent?
• How can you help as his or her teacher?
• How much time should my child’s homework for this subject take?
• How much time should my child be reading for?
• What do his or her grades tell us about possible performance in important future exams?
• Does he or she contribute in lessons?
• How does my child get along with the other pupils in the class and the teachers?

Make a note on the night of the teachers’ answers – after a couple of hours whisking from one subject to another, it can be easy to forget or muddle the comments.

…And more questions

Most teachers have a wealth of knowledge and experience, so ask for their guidance and suggestions on how you can help your child to do their best in the subject. If a teacher says something you don’t understand, ask for clarification. Parents are not expected to know all about a subject or a method of teaching.

Constructive criticism

Good teaching means identifying areas for improvement, so don’t be offended if you hear criticism of your child. This should always be constructive and designed to help them to achieve their potential in the subject. If your child is with you, try not to sound disappointed or negative – or tell your child off! Take the advice of the teacher as a positive step towards better marks in the future. Remember that it’s rarely helpful to compare your child’s performance to other members of the class, set or year group – what’s important is that they are achieving in line with their own capabilities, not those of others.

Wet Balloon Fundraiser – NOW Thurs 30th June

8 Jun 2026