DCG Term Dates

DCG Term Dates – DCG

Parent and Carers Consultation Evenings

For information about our upcoming open events for prospective students and our Broomfield Hall family events, take a look at the events pages on our website.

Events at DCG

Parent Portal: Attendance and Progress

We have a dedicated online Parents Portal for you to log onto. The Parents Portal lets you view your child’s live attendance, progress reports, and SMART Targets.

Parent Portal – DCG

Student Experience and Support Teams

There is a wide offer of excellent support services at DCG offering a network of expert advice and guidance.

• Student Experience and Pastoral Support Team – DCG
• Learning Support Services – DCG

Wellbeing Resources

• Charlie Waller Trust – Mental health and resilience resources for young people and families.
• Family Hub | Ygam – Support and advice for parents and carers around gaming and gambling harms.
• Derby & Derbyshire – Emotional Health & Wellbeing – Local and national wellbeing support, services and resources.

Exams

For up-to-date information on exam information and regulations during the exam, please visit the exams page.

Examination Information – DCG

Importance of Attendance, Punctuality, and Absence Reporting

If your young person is unable to attend College for any reason, please ensure that they notify the College as soon as possible by completing the online Student Absence Form each day of absence.

Student Absence/Lateness Reporting – DCG

We ask parents and carers to note that minor illnesses should not automatically prevent attendance. Regular attendance is essential for academic success and personal development. Missing lessons due to mild symptoms, such as a headache or cold, can lead to falling behind in classwork, missing important discussions, and increased stress from catching up.

Attending College, even when slightly unwell, helps students maintain routine, build resilience, and benefit from social interaction and support services. Consistent attendance and punctuality also prepares young people for future employment, where reliability and commitment are highly valued.

Calling all parents/carers of Level 3, Year 2 students!

Career’s Event at University of Derby

Experts from higher education, apprenticeships and employer partners will showcase:

• A timeline for recruitment and selection
• Common myths about both pathways debunked
• Insider top tips
• Facts and stats
• A Q&A panel to answer your questions
• Key information and useful resources

Places are limited to 2 tickets per family. Find out more and book your ticket on Eventbrite.

Career’s Event at University of Derby – Eventbrite

Higher Education Focus

Your child’s tutor will be supporting them through the application process, and they will arrange to meet with your child, once they’ve completed their application, to go through the hand-in checklist.

There are a range of online resources for students to support them with their UCAS application; these include a guide to the UCAS Hub, a personal statement builder, a Step by Step guide to the UCAS form and an online version of the Everything You Need to Know About Applying for Higher Education guide (paper copies of the guide available from the Careers Advisers on site). Your child’s tutor will be able to signpost them to the resources or, alternatively they can contact the Careers team to request a link.

Did you know? DCG offers a range of Higher Education courses? From Criminal Justice and Offender Management, Engineering, Sport Coaching, Professional Construction, Equine Science, Software Development, Animal Management and more – there are a variety of subjects and levels to choose from.

Here are just a few advantages of your child considering a HE course at DCG:

• Often cheaper tuition fees
• Courses are validated by universities
• Based at DCG, but students have access to the link university’s facilities and resources
• Smaller groups with dedicated support services

Higher Education – DCG

Degree Apprenticeships

Degree Apprenticeships, for a September 2027 start, are now starting to be advertised by large companies. Your child can search for vacancies on employer websites (Early Careers section), the National Apprenticeship website or UNIFROG.

Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK

Degree apprenticeships require applicants to have Level 3 qualifications (A-level, T-Level, BTEC Level 3 etc) with employers looking for the best applicants – which often means high grades and students who are able to demonstrate and articulate their relevance and ability effectively via application.

Support from the Careers team for degree apprenticeship applications is available and advised.

Higher, Advanced, and Intermediate apprenticeships, for the summer onwards, are more likely to be advertised in the new year.

Careers Support

The DCG Careers team can support all students with a range of areas, including making decisions about their next step options, ways to identify and develop their strengths, skills and abilities in relation to their next step, plus practical help with making applications and preparing CVs.

The team can be contacted by emailing careers@derby-college.ac.uk or by dropping in to see us:

• The Careers Centre, K101 at the Roundhouse
• G21 or the Library at the Joseph Wright Centre
• Student Experience Hub at Broomfield
• Ilkeston area (by appointment)

Email: careers@derby-college.ac.uk

Book a 1-1 appointment: Careers Guidance Sessions

Support Online

In addition, there are a range of helpful resources on our Careers SharePoint pages, which can be accessed here:

Careers Guidance Services – Home (SharePoint)

Students can access the site anywhere, via the Derby College website. They just need to use their log-on details to access SharePoint via the College intranet.

The resources can help students explore their options, especially at a set point of the college year, known as the “Careers Pitstop” – which takes place within tutorial sessions in November.

Halloween Themed Animal Unit Open Day

Come along to our spooktacular Halloween Open Day and meet all the animals with your family and friends!

Halloween Themed Animal Unit Open Day – 18/10/2026 – DCG

Treat Yourself to a Beauty Treatment at Our Salon at The Roundhouse

Take some time for yourself and enjoy a professional beauty treatment at a fraction of the high street price, while helping our Level 3 Beauty Therapy students gain valuable industry experience.

Choose from a range of treatments, including:

• Eyes & Brows
• Manicures & Pedicures
• Body Massage
• Facials

Level 3 Beauty Treatments, Prices and Booking

Students Go Yellow for Mental Health

Students came together to support youth mental health as part of the national Hello Yellow campaign, run by the charity Young Minds. More than 80 positive messages of hope and encouragement were written by students and will now be displayed in the Student Experience Hub throughout the year.

The event, organised by the college’s Pastoral team to mark World Mental Health Day, encouraged students to talk openly about mental wellbeing and support one another.

Broomfield Hall Preparing Students for Future Careers

Land-based careers are changing, with technology, sustainability, robotics and environmental skills becoming increasingly important.

At Broomfield Hall, students are developing the practical and technical skills employers need, with 87% progressing to further skills development or moving directly into employment after completing their course.

From animal care and equine to agriculture, agri-tech and the green economy, there are more opportunities in the land-based sector than you might think.

The importance of these skills was recently highlighted when senior figures from across business, government and education joined DCG’s senior team at Broomfield Hall for a stakeholder and policy event exploring DCG’s role in delivering the East Midlands’ 10-year Growth Plan and the future of land-based skills in our region.

Broomfield Hall Champions Landbased Skills in East Midlands Growth Plan

A Great Start to College Life at DCG

Students settled into life at DCG during Freshers’ Fair, held across our Colleges The Roundhouse, Broomfield Hall and The Joseph Wright Centre.

Students had the chance to meet new people, connect with employers and discover the wide range of support, opportunities and activities available to help them make the most of college life.

New Students Revel in the Fun of Derby College Fresher’s Fair

Building Skills for the Future

The construction industry is evolving, creating exciting opportunities for young people across the East Midlands.

At the Derby Property Summit, DCG highlighted how it’s working closely with employers to ensure students develop the technical, digital and green skills the industry needs. Students and apprentices also shared how their experience with DCG and local employers is helping them progress into successful careers.

From T Levels and apprenticeships to hands-on industry experience, these partnerships are helping prepare the next generation for the jobs of the future.

Derby College Group Contributes at Derby Property Summit

Adult and Community Courses

Explore our part-time Adult and Community courses, or build your confidence with FREE Adult Maths and English courses.

Adult and Community Courses – DCG

Higher Education

Thinking bigger? You can also study a range of university-level courses at DCG, giving you the opportunity to gain a higher-level qualification while staying local.

Higher Education – DCG

Distance Learning

Explore your options and discover where DCG could take you.

Distance Learning – DCG

Funding and Financial Support for Adults

Funding is available for adults wanting to continue their studies.

19+ Financial Support

Financial Support and Fees

Find out more about fees and financial support if you are 19 years old or over.

Financial Support and Fees – DCG

Childcare Help

If you are a parent or carer, you may be able to apply for help with your childcare costs while you are studying. Find out more.

Childcare Support – DCG