26th September 2025 Dear Parent Carers, Weekly Update: 26/09/2025 I hope this update finds you well. It was great to see so many of you this week at Parent Carer Evening – it was wonderful to catch up with so many of you to share how amazing your children and young people are! If you weren’t able to attend, please do get in touch! This week’s update features lots of information on upcoming events – we hope you find these helpful: • • •
Open Evening at Friar Gate Studios on Tuesday 7th October Derby SEND Focus Group at the Museum of Making on Monday 6th October Free Rollerworld event on Wednesday 29th October (Half Term)
Open Evening at Friar Gate Studios We are hosting an Open Evening at Friar Gate Studios for students who are looking at their next steps for Post-16. This will take place on Tuesday 7th October. Please see the poster further in the update for more information. Derby City Council SEND Focus Group To make sure Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services in Derby City truly reflect the needs of the families who use them, Derby City Council are setting up two focus groups to explore: • What’s working • What’s not working • How future services should be shaped To ensure every voice is heard there will be two dedicated groups: • Children and young people aged 6–25 • Parent carers of children and young people with SEND The insights gathered will be shared and explored in depth with Service Leaders, Derby SEND Voice, and the Young Ambassadors as part of a series of strategic meetings. Together, they will use the feedback to help shape services that are more responsive, inclusive, and supportive for every family. The focus groups will be held on Monday 6th October at the Museum of Making. It is possible for both a parent carer and their child or young person to take part, however, both groups will be running at the same time, meaning parent carers would need to feel comfortable with their child/young person attending the group independently. Please see the poster further in the update for more information. Toni Beardmore Headteacher St Martins School, The Derwent Campus, Bracknell Drive, Alvaston, Derby, DE24 0BT Tel: 01332 571151 Email: admin@stmartins.set.org Online: www.stmartinsschoolderby.co.uk The Shaw Education Trust Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England (no 09067175) Registered address: Shaw Education Trust, Kidsgrove Secondary School, Gloucester Road, Kidsgrove, ST7 4DL. The details of our academies registered as business names can be found at www.shaweducation.org.uk.