Dear Parents and Carers
I am writing to you to update you on the recent events at Littleover Community School, provide some key information and outline some upcoming events and dates for the diary.
Learning, Caring and Succeeding
Sporting Success
The 2025–26 cross country season concluded in Bangor, North Wales, after beginning in September with local league races across Derby. Up to 15 LCS students took part, with 7 qualifying for the Derby City team at the County Championships in January. From there, Isla Powell and Olivia Lee earned top-8 finishes, securing places in the Derbyshire team for the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships in Liverpool.
At the national event, with 345 of England’s finest country runners, Isla finished a solid 208th, balancing sport with exam pressures which is a brilliant achievement. Olivia placed 6th, earning selection for the England team at the SIAB international in Wales, which is an amazing achievement.
During the SIAB international, Olivia delivered another strong performance, maintaining her 6th England position, finishing 10th overall and helping England secure a team gold.
Overall, it was an outstanding season for the squad; excitement now turns toward the upcoming Track & Field events.
Science Success
On 28th January, Year 12 and 13 Chemistry students participated in the RSC UK Chemistry Olympiad with a record 17,241 students across the UK. Congratulations to those achieving awards from LCS. We had seven students achieve the Bronze award, five students achieve the silver award and our Gold went to one of our Year 12 students; it is an incredible achievement for one of our Year 12 students to be amongst the top students. A huge well done to all.
On Friday 13th March, Year 7 students participated in an interactive workshop on ‘curiosity’ with As Creatives as part of Science week. They worked in teams to create human sculptures exploring the factors engineers consider when designing structures and the forces involved in rollercoasters. Every Year 7 student had the opportunity to engage with this experience, and this is thanks to Ms Elliot and the Science department.
On Thursday 26th March, Year 10 students attended workshops with the Chemistry department from Oxford university. They undertook practical experiments to consider factors in the fight against drug resistant infections and investigated molecules that would be suitable candidates for use in combination drugs. They had the opportunity to ask questions via a live Teams meeting with researchers based in the INEOS Oxford
Institute. Students investigated the development of sustainable polymers, whilst considering a qualitative Life Cycle Assessment. They used portable IR instruments and participated in a talk about studying Chemistry at university and life at Oxford. A great time was had by all!
6th Form Success
Our Gold Duke of Edinburgh students have been out on a practice expedition this week, facing incredibly difficult weather conditions and showing great levels of endurance. A well done to them and the staff who have supported this experience.
Our Year 12 students are in the middle of their Personal Review Meetings with their tutors; here every student has a one-to-one meeting with their tutor to reflect on progress, discuss future plans, set targets etc. This is a really important part of students being supported in achieving academic success.
We currently have 25 of our Year 12 Students out on a residential on the Unlock Oxford experience. We are told that they are enjoying the experience and finding it incredibly valuable in determining their next steps.
Creative Arts Success
Today, our Year 8 students will participate in MADFEST with every student having the opportunity to access an event focused on creativity, resilience and wellbeing. The workshops will be running from Period 1-4, delivered through 13 specialist workshops and led by staff and external practitioners. The workshops will include animation, posters and typography and spoken word. A huge thank you to the Creative Arts department for the time and energy that goes into making this happen.
Seville
We currently have forty of our students out in Seville enjoying an immersive cultural experience. A huge thank you to Ms Mason and the staff members that have arranged and supported this trip abroad.
Key Messages
Whilst it is appropriate that all members of our community get a break over the holidays, it is also important to look towards the near future and use some of this time for examination preparation. Our Y12 and Y13 students should be using some time over Easter to prepare for exams (Y12 Internal Exams start at the end of April and Y13 exams start in May). Y12 exams are crucial in terms of informing teachers' UCAS predicted grades. As our Year 12s attended an assembly delivered by the University of Nottingham Outreach team last week with the focus on revision and study skills, this
message has been emphasised in school, so any support from home in this regard would be appreciated.
Obviously, our Year 11 and 13 students will be sitting their external examinations next half term so it is very important that time over the holidays is being utilised to ensure they are prepared and ready for the final examinations.
Year 11 received an assembly on Monday which outlined key information about JCQ requirements, post-exam results services and special considerations. This information will also be sent to parents in due course. Year 11 parents and carers should have also received information about the leaving arrangements from Mr Goodhead.
I sent a letter earlier in the week to parents about uniform, equipment, timekeeping and mobile phones. Please do read this information carefully in anticipation of the uniform and equipment checks that will be taking place after Easter.
Finally, we have had some reports from local residents about the behaviour of some students on the way home from school; the information covers concerns about certain students walking on the road as opposed to the path, or not looking across both sides of the road at busy junctions or being disrespectful to local properties. I know that the majority of our students behave courteously in the community but if the message about road safety and respect to our neighbours could be reinforced at home that would be very supportive.
Upcoming events
Students return on Monday 13th April.
Year 12 UCAS Fair on 15th April.
Year 11 Art Exams on 16th and 17th April
On Wednesday 22nd April, the school will be closed to students due to INSET. This day will focus on moderation of NEA and coursework.
On Thursday 23rd April, it is the Year 8 Parents’ Evening.
On Friday 1st May- GCSE examinations begin.
Safeguarding Spotlights
We hope that you have been engaging with the online safety spotlights available through the school’s social media platforms.
In terms of keeping your child/ren safe over the holidays, if you have any concerns, please refer to the safeguarding page on the school website for signposting to organisations which can support.
Have a lovely and safe holiday.
Mrs L Johnson
