Category: Latest News
Y8 & Y10 Bletchley Park 19th June 26
7 Jun 2026
Explore this extraordinary place and discover the amazing stories of the World War Two Codebreakers.
Year 8 and Year 10 students are visiting the top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers, Bletchley Park, now a vibrant heritage attraction. This visit is being organised as a joint trip between the Maths and Computing departments at Park Vale Academy.
Immersive films, interactive displays, museum collections and faithfully recreated WW2 rooms will guide you on a journey to discover the past at Bletchley Park. Exhibitions, set within beautifully restored historic buildings, tell the story of this once top-secret operation. Find out more about the brilliant minds and complex machines that made this vital work possible, and discover the global impact Bletchley Park had on the outcome of WW2.
Trust Chess Tournament 25th June 2026
7 Jun 2026
The tournament is open to pupils from years 7 to 10. Park Vale Academy will be bringing a team of eight players, four boys and four girls to the event. The students invited will have regular attendance at our Curriculum Plus chess club, good conduct, and playing ability.
NEW Curriculum Plus Activities JUNE & JULY 2026
1 Jun 2026
Click to open our NEW Curriculum Plus booklet – June & July 2026
Norway Expedition 2028 – An Incredible Opportunity
23 May 2026
Norway Expedition 2028 – An Incredible Opportunity
We are delighted to introduce an exciting opportunity for our current Year 7 and Year 8 students to take part in a 7-night expedition to Norway in July 2028 in partnership with World Challenge.
This unforgettable experience will take students on a journey through some of Norway’s most breath-taking landscapes, combining adventure, exploration, and personal development. This experience includes:
- Hiking through dramatic fjords and mountain scenery
- Taking part in outdoor challenges and team-based expeditions
- Experiencing wild camping under the Nordic sky
- Exploring local culture and traditions
- Building confidence while navigating new environments with their peers
This is so much more than a trip—it’s a chance to develop independence, resilience, and lifelong memories.
Find Out More – Join Our Online Information Evening (Click on this link) Register here.
To help you discover everything this expedition has to offer, you are warmly invited to attend a short online presentation:
- Wednesday 10th June 2026
- 6:00pm (20-minute session
- Delivered via Zoom by Kim at World Challenge.
- To find out more at the online session please
During the session, you will learn about:
- The full day-by-day itinerary, including trekking and activities
- Travel arrangements and accommodation
- Costs and flexible payment options
- How students can fundraise and “earn their place”
- Booking details and next steps
To attend the presentation, please register here: (Click on this link) Register here.
Further Information
You can explore more details and begin your application by visiting trip webpage
Watch the World Challenge promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlDvq6lruKU
A Unique Development Opportunity
A key part of the journey is encouraging students to contribute towards the cost through fundraising. This helps them develop creativity, financial awareness, and entrepreneurial skills, making the experience even more rewarding.
Participation is always dependent on maintaining good behaviour and attendance throughout the lead-up to departure. The academy reserves the right to withdraw students if expectations are not met. The academy is not responsible for any losses arising from the cancellation of a student’s place.
We very much hope you can join us for the Zoom session and see what promises to be a truly transformational experience for our students.
U14 Girls Trust Handball Team
19 May 2026
Mariama Sesay from Park Vale Academy is part of the U14 Girls Trust Handball team who got through to the semi-finals on Sunday 17th May 2026, as part of the National Finals competition, just missing out on a medal finishing in 4th position.
This was a fantastic achievement by the team who were coming up against established club teams all over the country, ultimately finishing 4th out of 8 teams who qualified for the national finals.
🏆 PVA – Under 15’s Regional Handball Competition Winners
11 May 2026
Park Vale Academy students competed in the U15 Regional Handball Competition on Wednesday 6th May, hosted at Sutton Bonington Sports Campus. Schools from across the region came together for a highly competitive and exciting day of handball, with Park Vale Academy delivering an outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Participating Schools
- John Flamsteed Community School
- Orchard Mead Academy
- Park Vale Academy
- West Bridgford School
- South Nottinghamshire Academy
- Queen Elizabeth’s High School
Group Stage Results
Park Vale Academy made a strong start in the group stages:
- Park Vale 3–2 Queen Elizabeth’s High School
- Park Vale 6–6 West Bridgford School
These strong results secured Park Vale Academy a place in the knockout stages.
Semi‑Final
In a closely contested semi‑final, Park Vale Academy showed great determination and composure to secure a win:
- Park Vale 4–3 John Flamsteed Community School
Final
The final saw Park Vale Academy face West Bridgford School once again. In a very close and competitive match, Park Vale Academy produced an excellent performance to secure the victory and be crowned U15 Regional Handball Champions.
A Fantastic Achievement
The team demonstrated outstanding teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the competition. Competing against strong regional opposition and finishing the day as champions is a fantastic achievement and a real credit to the players’ commitment and effort. As a result of this success, the team have now qualified for the National Championships, which will take place at the David Ross Sports Village on Thursday 25th June. Park Vale Academy are extremely proud of their U15 handball team and look forward to supporting them at the next stage of the competition.
Year 11 Commendation Evening 2026
11 May 2026
On Wednesday 29th April 2026, we enjoyed another fantastic evening at Park Vale Academy celebrating the achievements of this year’s “Year 11”. There was much to celebrate and students should be very proud of their collective achievements. Outstanding individual achievements were recognised in subject awards for exceptional progress and attainment across for each subject in the curriculum.
The whole evening was another excellent showcase for Park Vale Academy, as students proudly collected their commendation certificates to the warm applause of friends, family and PVA staff. Outstanding individual achievements were recognised in subject awards, as well as in prizes for overall commendation winner across the curriculum. Mr Bowhay Headteacher presented the certificates to our deserving students.
The Outstanding Performance Award academy shield was presented to Leanne Baah for the most commendations across the curriculum. Leanne achieved commendations in English, English Literature, History, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Triple Science, Attendance & Tutor.
Y10 Parents’ Eve Booking System Now Open!
11 May 2026
The parents evening online booking system allows you to select a parents’ evening and then book appointments with your child’s teachers.
Click on this link or copy into your browser
https://parkvaleacademy.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/
Y7 National Space Centre Trip – 24th June 2026
7 May 2026
The Science teachers are delighted to give Year 7 students the chance to go to the Leicester National Space Centre on 24th June 2026. This trip allows students to gain a thorough understanding of the Science curriculum and allow them to get a hands on approach to the subject material.
The Science curriculum contains learning on forces, gravity and space. The National Space Centre gives the students the opportunity to journey through 6 hands-on galleries and the chance to sit back in awe in the U.K’s largest planetarium. There are over 150 interactive experiences for the students to take part in and they can even journey up the 42m high Rocket Tower.
Remember that trips require good attendance and behaviour
Y8 Richard III Trip Leicester 6th July 2026
1 May 2026
Year 8 students will be deepening their understanding of Shakespeare when they visit the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester on Monday 6th July 2026.
The purpose of this trip is to support students’ study of Shakespeare’s Richard III by deepening their understanding of the historical context, characters, and events explored in the play. The trip includes a guided ‘Dynasty, Death & Discovery Exhibition’ and a ‘Trial of Richard III’ session in the Guildhall.
King Richard III Visitor Centre is a museum in Leicester, England that showcases the life of King Richard III of England and the story of the discovery, exhumation, and reburial of his remains in 2012–2015.
Discover the intrigue surrounding Richard III’s life, death and discovery. This family-friendly attraction offers something for everyone, from interactive displays to expert guided tours. Experience the thrill of standing where one of history’s greatest mysteries unfolded. Plan your visit to the King Richard III Visitor Centre today to discover the remarkable Dynasty, Death and Discovery of this famed English Monarch.
Students will discover where King Richard III was found (in a car park!). How they knew where to look for him. How his remains where identified. How King Richard III died at the Battle of Bosworth. The story of King Richard III’s Rule
