Dear Parents and Carers,

As we reach the end of another vibrant and successful academic year at The Priory Belvoir Academy, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible achievements, experiences, and growth we’ve witnessed across our school community. From outstanding academic accomplishments and inspiring creative performances to unforgettable trips, charity work, and sporting triumphs, our students have truly embodied the values of ambition, resilience, and kindness. Follow us on social media to see photos and regular updates of what is going on in the school Priory Belvoir Academy (@academypriorybelvoir) • Instagram photos and videos

This newsletter offers just a snapshot of the many moments that have made 2024–25 so special. I hope you enjoy reading about the highlights as much as we’ve enjoyed being part of them. 

 

Lymphoma Action

A dedicated group of students raised over £200 for Lymphoma Action through a cake bake sale which was enjoyed by everyone across the school.  Olly and Leila spearheaded the fund raising and also completed a charity walk of the 10 bridges of London.  They not only reached their fundraising target of £300 but exceeded it raising a massive £1495.  Thank you to their leadership, commitment and generosity all of the money has been donated to Lymphoma Action in support of a much-loved fellow Year 11 student and friend.  Half of the money raised on non-uniform day on the last day of term will also go to Lymphoma Action!

 

Aiming High!

This year we have seen a number of events to help stimulate some of our Higher Ability students to think big. In January an organisation called Potential Plus led a one-hour workshop for students in every year group, getting them to explore their strengths, potential, and their limiting beliefs, but to also think about the possibilities for the future. A few weeks after this, Mr Oliver took a group of Year 10s to Cambridge University to give them a glimpse into life at of one of the top Universities in the world. Could this be the place for them? Maybe, maybe not – but the point is they all have the potential to go somewhere like this if they are prepared to work hard. Finally, in March a group of Year 11s attended an Oxbridge conference in Lincoln where they attended various workshops delivered by current students of Oxford and Cambridge. And so, the vision to inspire our students to great things continues, with similar initiatives next year.   

 

STEM Challenge Day

A small group of our high achieving Year 9 students took part in a STEM challenge day, ran in conjunction with the University of Leicester and hosted by Gateway College in Leicester. Whilst there, our students competed in teams with similarly very able students from a variety of schools from across the region. The day gave them a chance to work collaboratively with new people, while also pushing them to complete complex STEM challenges against tough competition. All of the students represented us fantastically and have gained certification to demonstrate their achievement.
We are especially proud of Evie B and Ruby L for winning the Medical Diagnostic challenge and gaining two trophies to take back with us. Even more impressively, this year Kai H and Will S received trophies for being the top team of the entire day and will be progressing to the semi-finals hosted at the University of Manchester in the new academic year.  We couldn’t be prouder of them!

 

STEM Day 2025 – Year 9 Tackle the Renewable Energy Challenge!
On Thursday 4th July, 60 Year 9 students took a break from lessons for a hands-on STEM Day – and it didn’t disappoint! Working in teams, they were challenged to design and build a renewable energy network to power a small village.

Throughout the day, students applied new skills in electrical engineering, material selection, teamwork and problem-solving under pressure. Each group built a working wind turbine, erected power pylons, and wired a model house with a glowing LED – all powered by their own renewable system!

The creativity, determination and collaboration on display were outstanding. From testing turbine blades to fine-tuning circuits, students embraced every challenge.

The day wrapped up with an inspiring talk from Rob Gibb of Solar Orb Energy, who shared his career journey and the exciting future of green tech – from solar farms to energy storage.

Huge thanks to all the staff who made the day possible!

 

Sparx and all things maths!

This year, there has been 665,769 individual questions answered on the Sparx homework system which has taken a collective 9899 hours to complete.  Well done to all of our students!

 

In March, six of our year 10 students entered the Intermediate Maths Challenge, which is a national competition consisting of 25 multiple choice questions, designed to test mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills, aimed at year 10 and 11 students. All of these students came out with silver or gold certificates in this competition. Two of those students, Elijah K-S and Seve W scored highly enough to be automatically entered into the next stage competition, called The Pink Kangaroo. Both students did themselves proud in this stage with Seve gaining a bronze certificate and Elijah gaining a gold certificate.

The Junior Maths Challenge is aimed at year 7 and 8 students and took place in May. 120 students were entered for this competition, 2 classes from each year. From this we gained a good selection of bronze, silver and gold placements. One student, Archie K-S did well enough to be entered into the next stage, the Junior Kangaroo. He also did himself proud by gaining a bronze certificate in this competition.

 

Peacock Pride and our house system

Each half term of 2025 there has been a slightly different focus to our end of term rewards.  In February we recognised those pupils showing exceptional talent, skill and commitment in Drama, Music, Art, Food Tech and PE.  Between them, 196 pupils were awarded either silver or gold Inspiration badges for the creative subjects or silver and gold Physical badges for PE. Many of these students have performed in Belvoir productions or shows or represented the school in sports teams or individually.  It was with great pleasure that the staff involved in these subjects were able to recognise such valued commitment and talent.

 

Easter saw pupil recognition for being a ‘good egg’. Those students with a great record for behaviour, attendance and uniform were acknowledged and their names went into the eagerly awaited wheel spinner of names.  Easter eggs went to those lucky names that came up in each year group.  Attendance featured in our summer rewards again and has become a regular feature each half term.  Pupils with 95%+ attendance go into the wheel spin in every rewards assembly now.  In addition, the end of year focus is on rewarding pupils in each subject who are standing out for their engagement/achievement in their individual class.  It has been so difficult to narrow it down to 2 or 3 in each teaching group as so many pupils could have been chosen but those who made the final cut received a certificate for their outstanding subject performance in our final assemblies and should come home feeling very proud of themselves.

 

This final summer half term saw the exciting launch of our new houses.  Following feedback from a pupil and staff focus group, we have chosen to recognise the strong link between our natural landscapes and our mental and physical wellbeing.  Our new houses are all named after stunning natural landscapes in counties in the East Midlands:

Sherwood (Sherwood Forest - Nottingham)
Creswell (Creswell Crags nr Nottingham)
Gibraltar (Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve nr Skegness)
Dovedale (Peak District - Derbyshire)
Charnwood (Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire)

All pupils attended house assemblies in July to develop house spirit and camaraderie in the approach to sports day and this shone through on the day itself, with competitors being cheered on through house chants aplenty.  Next academic year we will further develop our house identify by holding a fund-raising event per house, house assemblies each term and a variety of subject and team house events.

The Battlefields

In March, 55 Year 9 students participated in our annual trip to Ypres to visit the World War One Battlefields. The pupils were able to build on their knowledge of the First World War gained during their History lessons and could put themselves into the soldiers’ shoes to understand the destructive power and futility of war. We visited several museums, Commonwealth War Graves and trenches still partly intact from the war! Pupils also got to experience the incredibly moving Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate and the fantastic Leo and Evie represented our school by laying a wreath during this ceremony.  Our pupils were exemplary during the ceremony which required complete silence to fully appreciate the atrocities of the war. Throughout the trip, all of the staff were impressed with the curiosity shown by our students and the questions they asked. The enthusiasm they had for everything we did highlighted why the History department loves this trip and this year group in particular were one of the best we have taken. We are so proud of how well they represented the Priory Belvoir Academy.

Geography

Our fantastic Geographers have been working hard to develop their skills and supercharge their powerful subject knowledge!

We’ve bid farewell to our amazing year 11 pupils following their third and final Geography exam. Fieldwork in Nottingham city centre has been a recent highlight for this year group. Pupils collected a range of data to evaluate key aspects of the UK’s largest regeneration scheme today!

We are delighted that so many of our year 11s are going on to study Geography A-level. We wish them all every success for the future!

Year 10 Geographers have been tackling challenging GCSE topics such as the Changing Economic World and Glaciation, in addition to sitting their first round of mock exams! Pupils have responded brilliantly to detailed feedback and completed improvement work. Pupils are looking forward to completing two full days of fieldwork following the summer holiday – letters will go home with pupils during the first week back!

In year 9, pupils have been evaluating the impacts and responses to natural hazards. They have been developing exam technique, with a focus on decoding exam style questions. Year 9 have also completed an issue evaluation focusing on the opportunities and challenges of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Pupils have made great strides in developing their evaluation skills this year – they are proud of their achievements – rightly so! We are delighted so many are continuing with Geography at GCSE level!

Year 8 pupils have recently been applying their developing geographical skills to ‘real-world’ issues in the news. Pupils particularly enjoyed learning about the importance of landmarks, with a focus on the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. They reviewed key evidence that led to the conviction of the individuals responsible and discovered why it was more than ‘just a tree’ to so many people.

We are finishing the year with a focus on our oceans. Pupils are discovering their importance and evaluating evidence that our oceans are at a ‘tipping point’.

Year 7 continue to engage brilliantly with our exciting Geography curriculum. Pupils have been learning about Fairtrade. With a focus on chocolate, they designed a new chocolate treat using Fairtrade ingredients. Pupils demonstrated creative flair in their packaging designs to ensure their product would stand out amongst market leaders. They presented their recipe, design and USP (unique selling point) to peers. Several pupils went the extra mile and made their Fairtrade chocolate recipe at home and brought them into school – Yum!

In the final weeks of the summer term, pupils have been considering the potential relocation of the Nottingham Forest football ground. Pupils thoroughly enjoyed assuming the roles of various stakeholders and presenting their case at the ‘Public Meeting’!

Le Francais

In February, our Year 10 and Year 11 pupils enjoyed a lively French play titled Prendre sa revanche. The story followed two antique dealers attempting to trick customers—only to find themselves outwitted in a clever twist! With just two talented actors and the help of our wonderful student volunteers, the performance was full of humour and energy. We were so proud of the students who stepped up to take part on stage—they brought great enthusiasm and confidence to their roles.

 

Shortly after, our Year 9 students took part in a hands-on French workshop, creating slogans, adverts, and leaflets to sell jelly babies to a French audience. They worked hard to understand cultural differences in order to tailor their marketing effectively. Their creativity truly shone through, and the workshop wrapped up with an inspiring assembly on the importance of languages in the workplace.

 

March brought a bilingual theatrical treat for Years 7 and 8, with a play performed in both French and English. Again, several brave students joined the cast on the day, adding humour and spontaneity. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all involved!

 

In April, a group of Year 8 students had the incredible opportunity to spend five days at a château in Normandy, where only French was spoken. Through exciting activities like archery, fencing, climbing, and breadmaking, students quickly gained confidence with their language skills—especially during market day, where they put their vocabulary to the test. Thanks to the energetic and supportive animateurs, the trip was not only educational but genuinely unforgettable. We’re already oversubscribed for next year!

 

Meanwhile, Year 10 students completed their mock exams with great resilience and a positive attitude—we’re very proud of their efforts.

 

And last but certainly not least, we said a fond farewell to our Year 11s as they finished their final exams. They’ve been an exceptional cohort, and we wish them every success in the exciting paths that lie ahead.

 

Music and Performing Arts – What a Year!

Brass Day

On Monday 23^rd June, the whole of year 7 were treated to a brass day from Leicestershire Music Service. Organised to encourage the uptake of instrumental lessons for orchestral style instruments, three tutors from the service came in to deliver an hour session to each tutor group and most importantly, every student had an instrument of their own to play, so they could really get a feel for it. Cornets, Baritone Horns and Trombones were all used and we were thrilled that every group managed to play a piece of music along to a backing track by the end of the session. Despite Miss Form being unable to produce a sound from the cornet, the students did a great job, and the service commented on how lovely the students at Belvoir are. Next year, we’re taking the plunge and going for whole class tuition on string instruments!

 

If your child is interested in taking up a musical instrument, please get in touch with our Music teacher, Miss Form, who will provide you with all of the details you need – gform@prioryacademies.co.uk

 

Summer Showcase 2025

At each concert put on by the music department, the standard of performance gets better and better – and the Summer Showcase this year was no exception. Held in the main hall at the tail end of the early July heatwave, an audience of parents, friends and staff came to watch our musicians show the skills they have acquired this year – and it was a roaring success. There were individuals performing on a variety of instruments, bands from Rock School showing mastery of performing as ensembles, and this year’s event even featured original music from some of our year 10 GCSE students. A huge thank you to all of the students involved, and all of the parents who support the Arts within our community. We literally could not do it without you, and we are exceptionally proud of the importance of music within our school

 

Matilda The Musical

Back in February we had a fantastic show week for 'Matilda the Musical '. Performers, backstage crew and front of house volunteers pulled together to deliver 3 fabulous sold out shows, including a matinee to over 170 students from our local Primary Schools. We also can’t forget to mention Lily M’s incredible ‘Bruce Bogtrotter’ cake which raised over £250 for the department! We can't wait to do it all over again next year!

 

The Wizard of Oz

The final round of call-backs took place last week for next year’s production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Auditionees worked together to perform script extracts and sang excerpts from ‘somewhere over the rainbow’ and ‘if I only had a brain’. We were blown away by the talent and enthusiasm shown on stage.

Congratulations to everyone who auditioned, we now have a wonderful 94 strong cast our biggest yet! We also look forward to welcoming the new year 7s to join us in September. We have hit the ground running with an exciting full cast read through in the penultimate week of the year and rehearsals starting in September.

Tickets for the show will go on sale later in the autumn term.

 

Performing Arts Trips

In May, 45 students from year 7 saw a production of ‘War Horse’ at Nottingham Theatre Royal. The play is a stage adaptation of the novel by Michael Morpurgo and has won both Olivier and Tony awards. Students and staff were impressed by both the acting and the design, particularly the innovative use of projection and puppetry. 

 In February, 45 students from years 9-11 travelled to Leicester Curve to watch a performance of ‘Animal Farm’. We were all impressed with how the actors used their vocal and physical skills to recreate the animals on the farm.

 

Performance examinations

In March, 27 students from years 10 and 11 completed their drama performance examinations in front of a visiting examiner. Year 10 devised and performed their own pieces from a wide range of stimuli, whilst year 11 performed extracts from published plays, either as a monologue or group piece. There were some outstanding performances and we were very proud of how they conducted themselves in the exam.

 

Friends of Belvoir - PTA

It has been another busy and successful year for the Friends of Belvoir PTA.

Over the summer last year, we helped a year 11 student fulfil his ambition of allowing Belvoir to have a safe and secure bike-shelter, thus encouraging more students to cycle to school from September onwards.

We started the year with a year 8 disco, which was well supported, and a good night was had by all. The students clearly appreciated having the safe space in which to chat with friends, enjoy a pizza tea and a bit of a boogie. The year 7 disco in March was equally popular.

Many residents of Bottesford and beyond came to visit the refreshments stall we ran on bonfire night in the village. It was a really busy event and with the Belvoir Lions very kindly matching our profit, we were able to put £1000 towards the purchase of non-fiction reading books in the library.

The revamp of the library in general is something we have been keen to support this academic year and the efforts of everyone involved has seen a massive increase in the borrowing of books, particularly by boys, as several new book purchases have had their interests in mind.

The PTA have also been given nearly 150 books for the younger readers after a request went out and so thank you to everyone who has helped here and for the families who have made financial donations to us directly to support the library revamp. Our work will continue into the next academic year as we have ringfenced money for the Year 9 PSHE books for tutor time and are contributing to a visit from an award-winning author so all students can have the opportunity to partake in workshops he will be running.

Should any families wish to sponsor a selection of books please contact katebeardmore50@outlook.com .

This year also saw the PTA hold their second Bags2school campaign with around 100 bags of second-hand clothes, shoes, and coats donated. Another will be held next year as it is good to see clothes recycled and for us to be paid in return!

The pre-loved uniform shop has gone from strength to strength- providing a much-needed service for our parents. Good quality donations are always appreciated, so if you are sorting out uniform over the summer that may no longer fit, please keep it for us to re-sell. We shall continue to hold regular sales at school, but if anyone does need anything in the meantime, again please email katebeardmore50@outlook.com

Sports day was a fun event for all, and the PTA made a record-breaking £599 from the sale of ice-pops, sweets and drinks. The money will all go back into the school to support specific requests that will benefit the students.

As another academic year closes, we have lost another member of our PTA so if you can help in any means possible, please let us know. The PTA does a great amount for your children, so please do get involved in our work. Every little helps!

 

Year 6 Transition and Year 7

We had a very successful Year 6 Transition Day every staff member gave such positive feedback, and we look forward to them starting next term. During the day, several of our students took part; Year 10 took them on a tour of the school and organised activities at lunchtime, and a couple of our school bands performed at the end of breaktime.

 

It is unbelievable that Year 7 have been here a year, it has gone by in a flash!  They have had a busy term and have been given some fantastic opportunities.  We were really impressed with how Year 7 approached their exam week taking on board the revision strategies, following a revision timetable and the success this then had on their results. Other activities of note are:

• 'Guess the Job’ organised by the Careers Department. Several visitors gave up their time voluntarily to give this opportunity and we are very grateful. This was followed up by two Apprenticeship Sessions.
• Whole class brass tuition. The music department organised a full class set of brass instruments, along with outside teachers. Each tutor group along with some form tutors rasped their way through an hour’s tuition. 
• Several of the year group auditioned for the next school production, which just goes to show how confident and settled they felt at the end of their first year.

 

Year 7 have achieved over 21,000 Achievement Points this year, the top performing year group. Congratulations to 7RWA, who are the top performing tutor group, closely followed by 7LW who also has Ella, Year 7's top student.  Well done to those 14 students who have been in every day since the beginning of the year, this shows huge resilience.  To reward all Year 7 successes, they had a well-earned trip to Drayton Manor during trips week.

 

Food

In January, a small group of year 8's took part in the Future Skills Bake off competition, the brief, to make a French themed shortcrust pastry savoury tart. Thank you to all that entered, Joe W and Scarlett W were victorious in the first round in school and were put through for consideration for the final judging. Well done to both of them. Mr Newton, Mrs Suschitzky and Miss Samy enjoyed tasting the dishes they made - delicious!

 

In February, Ladies in Pigs spent the afternoon with our Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students. The afternoon involved discussions about food provenance, safety & hygiene and careers relating to this industry. Students then flavoured, butchered and rolled their own pork joint to roast. Debbie was impressed and thought that some of our year 10's were budding butchers in the making!

 

In March, Year 11 completed their NEA 2 practical's, cooking 3 dishes with accompaniments in 3 hours. Students did themselves proud and produced some skilful, beautiful food to fit the brief of 'healthy takeaways'. Staff enjoyed sampling the end dishes and were amazed by the high-level skills on show in such a short period of time.

Year 8 Science Trip to Twycross Zoo

Sixty Year 8 students had the exciting opportunity to visit Twycross Zoo, where they took part in a fascinating workshop led by the zoo’s expert staff. During the session, students explored the evolution of monkeys and apes, gaining insight into how these incredible animals have adapted over time.

As they explored the zoo, students also learned about the vital conservation work being done to protect primates and the challenges many species face as they become endangered. The group represented the school with pride, showing exemplary behaviour and enthusiasm throughout the day.

Science Club

Science Club has been a hub of curiosity and creativity this year for students in Years 7 to 9. A dedicated group of budding scientists has met weekly to dive into hands-on experiments that go beyond the regular curriculum. Their enthusiasm and passion for science have been truly inspiring!

Looking ahead, we’re excited that next year’s club members will take on a more active role by helping to plan and lead activities, continuing to foster a love of science across the school.

Year 9: A Memorable Journey from Christmas to Summer

As we approach the final days of the school year, it's a perfect time to reflect on the incredible journey our Year 9 students have taken since Christmas. This term has been packed with milestones, achievements, and unforgettable experiences that have shaped their academic and personal growth.

One of the most significant moments for Year 9 was completing their subject option choices for GCSEs—a key step in shaping their future studies. With careful consideration and guidance, students selected the subjects that will support their aspirations and interests as they move into their next stage of education.

In recognition of hard work and dedication, multiple rewards breakfasts were held to celebrate outstanding achievement and excellent attendance. These events not only acknowledged the commitment of our students but also reinforced the importance of perseverance and responsibility—qualities that will serve them well in years to come.

For many in Year 9, the battlefields trip provided a deeply moving and educational experience. Exploring historic sites and learning about the sacrifices made in wartime brought history to life in a profound way, leaving a lasting impact on those who took part.

The excitement continued with sports day, where students showcased their athletic talents and team spirit in a thrilling display of competition and camaraderie. Whether sprinting towards victory or cheering on their peers, Year 9 demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and energy throughout the day.

As the term draws to a close, the much-anticipated end-of-year trip to Holme Pierrepont was a perfect way to finish. With adventure activities and team challenges, students were able to unwind, celebrate their achievements, and make lasting memories with friends before heading into the next chapter of their school journey.

Year 9, you have tackled this year with determination, enthusiasm, and resilience!

Careers

Year 11 took part in our annual mock interview event on Wednesday 22nd June. Thank you so much to all our volunteer interviewers, many of which were parents. Students find the event thoroughly useful in terms of practising their interview skills, the feedback really helps prepare them for their post 16 applications and the world of work.

 

Year 10 completed their 3-day work experience placements in March. The variety of placements never fail to astound us in terms of where the students go and what they do during those valuable days, it's fantastic to see. Year 10 all agreed that the experience was overwhelmingly positive and boosted their confidence, some even gaining part time employment as a result. Thank you to all the parents and local employers that supported the students on those days.

 

Year 7 enjoyed their recent 'guess the job' careers event in June. The range of employers willing to spare time to do this with our students is brilliant, thank you. Students learned about careers such as social media content creator, firefighter, pilot and an accountant. 

 

Year 7 had two virtual experiences during tutor time in June all about apprenticeships, the first session covered what apprenticeships are, what is available and the benefits of doing apprenticeships post 16. The second session focused on Q & A from apprentices completing their training currently.

 

Year 8, 9 & 10 took part in an 'Empowerment' assembly on 1st July, given by Luke Stanton (ex-professional footballer), a motivational speaker and coach. Students left the talk feeling inspired and motivated to take control of their future and enhance their potential.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Wrate for all her support over the last 18 months in 'Careers', she will be moving onto pastures new. Mrs Curry will in turn become our new careers co-ordinator from September 2025.

Duke of Edinburgh

The 2025 group were a credit to the school, and showed great resilience to successfully complete their expedition. Well done to all those involved and a particular congratulations to those students that have now received their Bronze award, following completion of all of their required sections.

 

Sport

Highlights from the summer term:

Students often get a different experience in the summer in terms of school sport, with many taking part in activities they wouldn't usually be involved in outside of school.  This term we have had athletics, rounders, softball, tennis and cricket teams across various age groups who have achieved different levels of success.

We are always impressed with the number of students who wish to get involved and give their time up after school to participate.  A special mention should go to those students who performed well enough at the varsity athletics championships to earn the chance to compete at the county finals, but specifically to Cerys Phillipson who made it to the national championships.

Additionally in the summer term Miss Jones ran a successful netball trip for all 5-year groups who performed exceptionally well in sweltering heat across the weekend. Thanks also to Miss Ratcliff and Miss Swann who gave up their weekend once again to allow the trip to run.

  

 

Sports Day

On Friday 11^th July we had our annual sports day.

Once again, we were delighted that students came to school in their house colours with their new house names being displayed front and centre.  The morning incorporated athletic field events mixed with popular sports we deliver in school to allow everyone to participate.  The afternoon was curtailed slightly by the hot weather but included the sprint races and relays with students surrounding in the track in their house teams.  It really was an excellent spectacle that was helped by volunteers from staff, students and ex-students.  

The results were revealed to the students on the final afternoon and Mr Quinn shared some of the photos on the school social media accounts shortly after.  Take a look Priory Belvoir Academy (@academypriorybelvoir) • Instagram photos and videos

The new school record holders were:

Taylor S – year 9 boy's high jump 1.55 metres​

Hannah R – year 10 girl's high jump 1.30 metres ​

Zack B - year 7 boy's discus 19.21 metres​

Miles P – year 9 boy's long jump 5.4 metres

 

Netball tour

What a weekend! Our netball tour to Keele University was a fantastic way to cap off the year, with 41 students representing the school across five teams. The adventure kicked off with thrills and laughter at Alton Towers, setting the tone for a fun-filled few days. Saturday brought expert coaching from Elite Netball Coaching in the morning, followed by competitive tournament play that afternoon and again on Sunday. The disco at the Keele student union on Saturday evening was a perfect chance for students to relax and celebrate together. Throughout the tour, the players showed outstanding attitude, developed their skills, and celebrated several successes on court—an experience full of progress and pride, with plenty to build on for the upcoming season.

 

Prom

Year 11 Prom was a truly unforgettable evening, marking the end of a remarkable five-year journey at our school. Students made grand entrances—on horseback, in tractors, and a fabulous array of vintage and luxury cars—setting the tone for a night full of joy and celebration. The lawn buzzed with laughter and friendly competition as lawn games brought everyone together, while the dance floor came alive with energy and excitement. Dressed to impress, it was heart-warming to see each student shine for the camera and with their friends. We look forward to seeing them again on results day—and for me, it’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege to be their Head of Year.

 

GCSE Results Day

Year 11 students can collect their GCSE results on Thursday August 21^st between 9am and 10am. Students should enter the academy through the main reception. All of the Senior Leadership Team and some subject teachers will be available at this time, so we will endeavour to answer any queries if they arise.  

 

If your child cannot collect their results in person, they can nominate someone else to do so, but they must email Mr Lynch from their school email address requesting this, stating who will be collecting the results on their behalf. This should be an adult and not a sibling as this person must show photo ID on collection. If no one can collect the results in person your child should email Mr Lynch from their school email address and their results will be emailed to their school email address on results day.  Mr Lynch’s email is: jlynch@prioryacademies.co.uk

 

English

This academic year the library has seen a 48.7% increase in lending compared to the previous year, with children borrowing more than any other year in the school’s history.

 

In January we welcomed Manga artist and author Sonia Leong to give a speech to our Year 8 students about her writing process, and journey to becoming a published author. She also delivered workshops to a range of enthusiastic students from both KS3 and KS4. Students were also given the opportunity to buy her books at a special book signing during lunchtime. As well as this, selected students attended digital author talks by Elle McNicholl and William Hussey, who talked about the importance of inclusion and acceptance, as well as discussing how they became authors.

 

The library has greatly benefitted from the PTA, who have raised a significant amount of money to allow us to proceed with our non-fiction revamp, allowing for our non-fiction books to be engaging, accurate, and relevant. This is particularly important at Belvoir, as 80% of all books borrowed by boys are non-fiction. We also continue with our ‘Curriculum Reads’ project to ensure that the library holds books relevant to every curriculum subject, allowing students to read around their interests and their favourite subjects, greatly enhancing their learning experience.

 

Ms Turton has also been hard at work updating the fiction section, creating a more accessible targeted section for our readers who may struggle with a traditional novel. She has also made significant improvements to our KS3 and 4 sections, ensuring we have adequate appropriate texts to challenge our highest achieving pupils.

 

As always, the library has listened to its pupils and has been able to purchase almost every student requested book this year, to ensure that children are reading books that have captured their interest. Alongside this, we have seen multiple successful library book groups. The Carnegie Book Club have recently completed their marathon read of almost every shortlisted book, and will be celebrating by watching the event livestreamed. Our library book group continues to be a fantastic and welcoming group. This year has seen the school gift out copies of Patrice Lawrence’s re-write of Jayne Eyre that we read together. We’ve also read The Bletchley Riddle, Some Like it Cold and are currently reading The Woman in Black for pleasure and we come together to discuss them over a slice of cake.

 

A special mention goes to Emily F in Year 7 who has published her own book, which we hope to have copies of in the library soon!

 

In the Spotlight

• Leo H continues to tread the boards on the professional stage having recently performed with the cast of Kinky Boots at the Leicester Curve Theatre.  Leo’s previous Curve Theatre credits include Billy Elliot the Musical playing Billy, Evita and My Fair Lady.  Leo continues to go from strength to strength and will also be starring in the Curve’s upcoming production of The Sound of Music from November playing Friedrich von Trapp.  We are enormously proud of Leo’s passion, hard work and commitment to his craft!
• We were thrilled to hear one of our own being interviewed on a local radio station on Sunday 13^th July. Lilly M from year 9 was asked by Hive FM to come in for an interview after a video of her singing was sent in to them. Lilly talked to host Elvis Stooke about her musical inspirations, how supportive her family are, and her hopes for a future within the industry - as well as giving a shout out to Miss Form, our Guitar teacher Will Hay and singing teacher Hayley Chapman. She’s been invited back to demo some of her own music in the future so tune in to find out more!
• Mia L won her event at the National Championships in horse riding with a score of 92.25%.  It was the highest across the juniors and seniors meaning she was overall class champion.  A class act Mia – we are delighted for you!
• Cerys P has qualified to go through to the English Schools Athletics finals (representing Leicestershire and Rutland).  This is a fantastic achievement to compete at this standard after winning the local event, then being placed within the top 2 in the county and achieve the qualifying standard.  We wish her every success in the final.
• Morvah L was selected to ride for the Polocrosse Team GB under 14's tour of South Africa in May this year. She has since been selected for Team GB training camp this summer in the Cotswolds, with some of the adult World cup team members giving instruction. This is a fantastic opportunity and we wish her well and look forward to her further successes.

 

Volunteering

• For the past year Nicholas M has been volunteering with youth charity - Woodcraft Folk. In recognition of his commitment, he has been selected to represent them at the International Falcon Movement's international conference in Austria in July.  What a fantastic young man!
• Noah M has been volunteering at Newark Parkrun as part of his Duke of Edinburgh. He travels each Saturday for an 8.30 start at Newark, and has been a real asset to the volunteer team.  He is fully committed and has been there in all weathers.  Noah has done lots of different roles including the first timers brief which involves talking in front of a large number of people (mostly adults!) giving a description of the course. Noah is really highly thought of and a fantastic ambassador for Belvoir. He continues to volunteer despite having achieved the hours for the Duke of Edinburgh award.

 

Staff Farewells

We say goodbye and thank you to the following members of staff for their outstanding service to the Priory Belvoir Academy, who will be greatly missed and off to pastures new:

• Mr Oliver – Deputy Headteacher, who is continuing to work in the education sector for a charitable organisation.
• Miss Parkin – Headteacher’s PA who is moving into the world of safeguarding.
• Mrs Chen-Rees – Numeracy intervention co-ordinator who is undertaking her maths teacher training from September.

 

New Staff and Role Changes

• Mrs Richards – Assistant Headteacher:  Standards
• Miss Wilson – Head of English
• Miss Smith – 2^nd in English
• Mrs Sowter – Head of Art
• Mrs Quegan – Headteacher’s PA
• Mrs Boyle – Pastoral Manager and Duke of Edinburgh Leader

 

As we close the chapter on this academic year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our students, staff, parents, and carers for your continued support, enthusiasm, and partnership. It’s been a year filled with progress, pride, and positivity, and none of it would be possible without the collective efforts of our school community. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday 3rd September 2025, refreshed and ready for another exciting year ahead.

 

Yours faithfully,

Mr L S Newton

Headteacher

 

Please see below the term dates for academic year 2025 - 2026

 

Term dates

 

• Monday 1^st and Tuesday 2^nd September 2025 – INSET day (no students in school)
• Monday 5^th January 2026 – INSET day (no students in school)

 

Module 1	Wednesday 3rd September 2025 – Friday 24th October 2025   October Half-Term: Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025 inclusive.
Module 2	Monday 3rd November 2025 to Friday 19th December 2025   Christmas Holidays: Saturday 20th December 2025 to Monday 5th January 2026 inclusive.
Module 3	Tuesday 6th January 2026 to Friday 13th February 2026   February Half-Term: Saturday 14th February to Sunday 22nd February 2026 inclusive.
Module 4	Monday 23rd February 2026 to Thursday 2nd April 2026   Easter Holidays: Friday 3rd April to Sunday 19th April 2026 inclusive.
Module 5	Monday 20th April 2026 to Friday 22nd May 2026   May Half-Term: Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May 2026 inclusive.
Module 6	Monday 1st June 2026 to Friday 17th July 2026   Summer Holidays: Saturday 18th July to Sunday 6th September 2026 inclusive.