Alvaston Moor Academy, one of our academies in Derby, has reported a significant rise in pupil numbers. So far this academic year, the school has welcomed around 890 students with this number expected to rise to around 900. Numbers are significantly up on last year, which were around the 850 mark.
This is not only more than the school has had since joining Archway Learning Trust and becoming Alvaston Moor Academy in 2021, but more than the school has had in many years.
A raft of measures have been put in place to boost pupils’ attendance and experience at the academy.
The curriculum has been enhanced with the re-introduction of drama for students in younger years, which teachers say has been significant in boosting confidence and allowing students to express themselves in a different way.
An incentive programme has been introduced to reward students for good attendance, with regular prizes including cinema vouchers. At the end of the summer term in 2023, around 200 pupils and staff were treated to a heavily subsidised trip to London as a reward for more than 95 per cent attendance. Many parents said for many students it was the trip of a lifetime with some pupils having never previously visited the capital, and some having rarely ever left Derby.
Outreach work in the local community has engaged families from different cultural backgrounds. The school’s interior hallway has been decorated with flags from more than 40 countries representing the varied cultural heritage of pupils and staff, as a way of ensuring a sense of inclusivity and belonging amongst the academy family.
Another new measure at the academy was the introduction of its first ever work experience week, which gave around 60 young people in year ten the chance to get a taste of life in the workplace. Derby companies including Rolls-Royce and Alstom were among those which volunteered to host students.
Academy Principal Michelle Strong said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming significantly higher pupil numbers into Alvaston Moor Academy this year. It’s testament to the hard work from our dedicated leadership team and broader academy trust that more families are giving us this vote of confidence and entrusting their child’s education to our care.
“It’s particularly pleasing to be seeing such a rise in student numbers as the area as a whole has not seen particular population growth this year, which might have accounted for some increased numbers. This means more families are choosing to send their students to us.
“We are working hard to improve not just pupils’ academic achievements, but also their life experiences too. We look forward to another year of hard work and fun at this important period of students’ lives.”
