Headteacher's Update 11 July 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

As we approach the final few weeks of the academic year it is really heartening to see how our young people are continuing to engage in meaningful activity. Today we have welcomed a whole range of employers and education providers to our Careers Fair and over 200 students have had the opportunity to ask questions about future choices and careers. This is such an important part of a young person's journey with us. Year 10 have completed their final preparation for work experience next week, which is another step they take in the process of moving forward from Hope Valley College. In these moments we would like to thank you for your support as we would not be able to continue this good work without it.

As ever, attendance at school continues to be a high priority and lessons continue for Years 7-9 next week as we make the most of the time that we spend with them. We are also in the process of completing our planning for the final 3 days, including our sports day which I believe will be one of the most competitive ever!

A huge well done to our Y9 students who completed their practice expedition last weekend, with an overnight camp in Birchover. They all did extremely well, despite waking up to soggy tents on Sunday morning. Thank you to all our staff and volunteers who gave up their time to walk with students and to marshal at checkpoints.

Water bottles

A reminder to ensure that your young person brings a water bottle to school with them. This can be refilled at the water fountains located around school at break and lunchtimes. Water bottles are available to purchase from reception for £1.50, which can be paid via ParentPay.

What’s going on in school:

Y7 have been learning how to describe clothes and put on a fully-French-scripted fashion show, complete with models, commentary, paparazzi and heckling audience. C'était très chic!

Next Tuesday, Year 9 have the opportunity to work with a speaker from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. They will be completing a workshop about Sadako’s Cranes for Peace. This enables students to learn the inspiring story of a young Japanese girl who folded around 1600 origami cranes in the hope to be granted a wish, despite suffering from terminal leukaemia as a result of the radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bomb. This work helps to support our 20th Century curriculum as well as deepening students understanding of the impact of nuclear weapons on the world.

Class 7O History have been hard at work in lessons and outside creating their Water and Health history museum projects. There have been some incredibly creative ideas, including barbie dolls remade as plague victims, a replica of flushing toilets, pottery cholera utensils, and even touch & feel toilets (don't worry, only paper was used here!)

This week, Year 10 German students read two short stories by Franz Kafka in the original German, and discussed surrealism, the nature of greed, betrayal, false imprisonment, memory and knowledge. We also started to read his classic novel Metamorphosis - brilliant stuff!

Our Music Department has been busy this week, with a DJ Taster workshop and a performance for our local primary schools.

We are looking forward to our upcoming end of term events and wanted to re-share the programme with you:

Monday 21 July – Sponsored Walk for all year groups – please complete the consent form

Tuesday 22 July - Interhouse Sports Day – students should wear sportswear in their house colours:

Mam Tor – Red, Lose Hill – Green, Win Hill – Purple, Kinder – Blue

Wednesday 23 July – Celebration Day

Volunteers for Outdoor Activities from September 2025-6

As part of our ongoing Outdoor Activities Programme for Year 9, HVC run four outdoor sessions for students during curriculum time. These sessions are:

Mountain biking at Hope pump track
Orienteering at Longshaw
Weaselling at Higger Torr
Outdoor climbing at Burbage North

Each activity block lasts 8 weeks before we rotate onto the next session. For most sessions we need 2 volunteers to ensure safety, contingency and supervision. We are looking for volunteers to help with these sessions on a regular basis. We would require you to come to school from around 12.15-3.30pm on either a Wednesday or a Friday for the session. During the activities you may want to help with organising equipment, supervising specific students who may need additional or further support, remote supervision, encouragement and any other hands-on outdoor job that will help the smooth running of the session! If you feel you would like any more information, or could offer your support, please contact us for more information.