Latest: Personal Development Blog
Find out all the latest and greatest Personal Development stories from around the Academy...
Y7 St Christopher’s Church visit
Wednesday 18th March 2026 – Some of our brilliant year 7 students had the chance to visit St Christopher’s church in Sneinton. The trip allowed students to support the RE curriculum, where we study all faiths. The session was designed to offer the year 7s a short experience to gain a snapshot view of a church and participate in fun group activities, a quiz and concluding with a short talk covering the history of churches in the UK.
Y11 World view Drop down day
Friday 20th March 2026 – Our year 11 cohort spent the day off timetable this week, to ponder lots of philosophical questions around what makes a person. Students attending 5 sessions crafted carefully by Ms Hampton-Smith allowing them to discuss different religious standpoints on what makes up a human being and the impact of artificial intelligence. Huge thanks to Ms Hampton-Smith for her support and organization of this event.
Y10 Hospitality and Catering COOSH bakery trip
Monday 23rd March 2026 - Our incredible year 10 hospitality and catering students took the morning to visit Coosh Bakery in Mapperley. This was a brilliant chance for our students to collaborate with the bakery, and see products being made from start to finish. The day also allowed students to ask questions and discuss with the bakery, and some tasting!
Y10 Youth Voices
Tuesday 24th March 2026 – Ms Bannister took a small group of year 10 students to an event that focused on sharing voices from others. The event focused on listening to guest speakers who shared their experiences and how those experiences have shaped their lives. The students then had the opportunity to ask questions they may have, and behaviour was good throughout.
Y9/10 Punch Theatre trip
Tuesday 24th March 2026 - A selection of students had the brilliant opportunity on Tuesday to visit Nottingham Playhouse to watch the show Punch. The show focuses on the story of a man who was killed with one single punch and how that singular action changes the lives of people around them. It was a chance for students to reflect on how our choices impact on ourselves and those around us.
Y7/Y9 GAT Football/Badminton Fixture
Tuesday 24th February 2026. Ms Clapp took a small number of students out of school this week to represent Nottingham Academy at the Greenwood Academies Trust fixture to play badminton and football. The range of students did well in their events and the year 9s came third in badminton. Student feedback from the trip was positive and they were thankful for the opportunity to go on the trip. We are thrilled with of all our students who attended and represented us at the event.
Y10 Trip to Alma Banks Farm
Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th February 2026. Some of the year 10 hospitality and catering students had an amazing opportunity this week to go and visit a dairy farm. Students were able to learn all about the job opportunities created at the farm and see the production of the products they regularly use in their lessons. The student feedback from the trip was amazing – loads of our students loved the chance to visit the farm. Huge thanks to Ms Chattaway for organising it for our students!
Y10 ThinkForward business mentoring trip
Friday 6th March 2026 – Students who are part of the ThinkForward project had the opportunity to go into a local business. This long-term project allows them to gain real life insight into the working world and allows for conversations around how the choices they make post 16 can support this. Huge shout out to Davir A, Rawan A, Raja B, Kavel D, Blake G, Samuel L, David M, Jan O and Maliya S.
Y9/Y10 The ‘Great Big Dance Off’
Thursday 12th March 2026 – Huge congratulations and shout out to Nottingham Academy dancers and Mrs Herbert for their recent success in their latest dance competition. Nottingham Academy entered 'The Great Big Dance Off’ at the Albert Hall in Nottingham on Thursday 12th March 2026. Our entry scored 221 out of 300. Our dancers performed their doll-inspired dance, choreographed by Mrs Herbert, to a live audience and judges. Entries were scored based on choreography, story line and technical performance. The Performing Arts team are super proud of our wonderful dancers who showcased hard work, enthusiasm and professionalism throughout the rehearsal and performance. Thank you to all members of staff who helped to support this event, especially Ms Smikle and Ms O'Flynn.
Research project with University of Nottingham
Friday 13th March 2026 – Small groups of our wonderful students from each year were out in the community. Students were joined by a professor from the University of Nottingham to investigate the impact of food outlets and takeaways on the local area. Ms Smikle and Mr Miller were very proud of how the students carried themselves out and about round school.
Y9 Living in the Wider World drop down day
Monday 16th March 2026 – On Monday our year 9 students spent the day off timetable to learn all things living in the wider world. Activities ranged from sessions around fighting for social action, thinking about skills that could be added to CVs and a session delivered by Channel 4. We were really impressed with how many of our students engaged brilliantly with the day. The final period of the day was spent with guest speaker Julian Kelly, who came to deliver an assembly around what life is like in local prisons as well as potential careers within the system – student feedback loved the assembly and have carried away messages from it.
Year 9 Equation Projects ending
Monday 16th March 2026 – This week saw the end of the ongoing Equation Project, where our students from both the boys and girls group created their final piece of art. The boys went off to a recording studio to complete their project.
The students have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks and continued to be impressive to the staff at Equation.
Year 10 Loughborough University trip – Thursday 5th February 2026.
Mr Samples took a small group of year 10 students to Loughborough University this week with huge success! During the visit, students took part in a range of practical physical activities, used heart rate monitors to track and analyse performance, toured the university campus and explored the outstanding facilities and attended a talk outlining what it takes to study at Loughborough University.
The students were highly engaged throughout the day and represented the school extremely well. Feedback from the group was very positive, with many students commenting on how much they enjoyed the experience and how inspiring they found the visit. The staff at Loughborough University said that it was the best group they have had since they had been doing the outreach project, so hugely well done to our students!
One student mentioned that they had “always thought they didn’t want to go to university, but now I’ve been it seems really cool and I’d be interested in studying a sport.”
Year 9 Science Festival - Wednesday 11th February 2026.
This week, we had a PhD student from The University of Nottingham who is researching negative effects of gaming and how it should be regulated.
The students learnt about causes of harm in gaming and what the government has done to reduce this. They had the opportunity to give their opinion and debate what the government should do and to ask questions about academic research.
Students designed their own characters based on what they had learnt. Students who attended the session said that they enjoyed it and thought the ideas were interesting.
Year 7 Residential trip to Ilam Hall – Wednesday 11th – Friday 13th February 2026.
The year 7 residential is well under way this week with 30 of our amazing students off on an amazing adventure! Students arrived safely and were thrown straight into activities starting with orienteering. The aim of the trip is for our year 7s to connect with nature and engage in lots of different activities. The year 7 team are so proud of all the dedication and strength shown by our students.
Robin Hood Youth Orchestra
Ms O’Flynn would like to highlight some of the incredible achievements of our musical students outside of school. The following students are a clear example of excellence within the community, as well as the school environment.
- Marlow K-W
- Maya K-W
- Caitlyn E
- Zuzanna G
- Konrad G
- Skye E
- Aaryan S-N
String lessons – Every Tuesday.
A huge well done to our incredible students who have been attending their string lessons in school and working hard to meet a high standard. We currently have 12 students who are working towards their next grade with the string instrument, and we are incredibly proud of them.
Working towards a Grade 2:
- Leon J
- Dinidu S
- Sienna N
- Jasmine M
- Teneng C
- Olivia K-W
- Patrick O’F
- Oscar E
Working towards a Grade 3:
- Vicki J
Working towards a Grade 4:
- Marlow K-W
- Maya K-W
- Caitlyn E
Year 10 Holocaust Museum Trip – Tuesday 13th January 2026
Mr Feeney took a small group of Year 10 students to the National Holocaust Museum in Newark, where they had the opportunity to work in groups with students from other schools, explore the museum, and listen to the firsthand experiences of a Holocaust survivor.
He shared how impeccably all students conducted themselves and how proud he was of the maturity and respect they demonstrated throughout the visit.
Special recognition goes to Leo S and Chloe M, who shone during the trip and showed excellent leadership skills.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, including:
“It was amazing, and I would love the opportunity to go again.”
“It really helped my understanding of life in Germany at the time—so impactful.”
Year 13 Othello Trip – Thursday 15th January 2026
A group of Year 13 students, accompanied by Mr Wharton, attended a performance of Othello this week. The trip offered a fantastic opportunity to see the text they are studying for A Level brought to life on stage.
Students represented the Academy brilliantly, engaging thoughtfully with the production while also making the most of their time in London.
Year 9 Equation Boys’ Choices Project – Starting Monday 19th January 2026 (8‑week programme)
Equation returned to school this week to begin their work with small groups of Year 9 boys, promoting positive choices and supporting students’ self‑esteem. The project explores key issues that young men may face both in and outside of school and has been highly successful in previous years.
Feedback from the first session was very positive, including:
“I thought it was good—looking forward to next week.”
“Really enjoyed it.”
We are excited to see how the project develops over the coming weeks.
Year 9 Equation Girls’ Know More Project – Starting Monday 19th January 2026 (8‑week programme)
The Know More project has returned following many successful years at Nottingham Academy, offering an empowering programme focused on the key issues young women may encounter and how to navigate them confidently and safely.
Students responded positively, with one commenting:
“It was good—everyone felt really comfortable quickly, which was great.”
Year 10 Misogyny Awareness Assembly – Tuesday 20th January 2026
Year 10 students engaged thoughtfully with an assembly delivered by Equation, exploring stereotypes around femininity and masculinity and considering how to challenge misogynistic attitudes. The session focused on constructive approaches and practical strategies for addressing inappropriate behaviour.
Ms Geary would like to recognise Mattia M for asking insightful questions and Eva F for her thoughtful contributions during the presentation. Students responded with maturity throughout the session.