DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Current students at DCG

Term Dates

Parents Evening Dates

Prospective students of DCG

DCG Open Days

Parent and Carer Support

Join the DCG Parent and Carer Support Group…

We have created a Parent and Carer Support Group on Facebook, as a place for you to:

• Access resources and content related to well-being, careers, study skills
• Ask questions and offer suggestions related to College
• Network and support other parents and carers.

The page is managed by the Student Pastoral Coaches from each campus who can answer your queries. Join the DCG Parent and Carer Support Group

How to check your childs progress, attendance and targets – Access the Parents Portal

We have a dedicated online Parents Portal for you to log onto. The Parents Portal enables you to view your child’s live attendance, progress reports and SMART Targets. Access the Parents Portal Please note: some parents may not have access to parent portal due to consent not being given. If your child would like to give you consent to access the portal they need to visit Student Services.

Parent Voice

Your views matter to us and the feedback you provide will help us shape the service we provide your son, daughter or child in your care at Derby College. If you would like to tell us your views please email Parent Voice

Student Bursary’s

Here at DCG, we are committed to helping our students overcome any financial barriers which might prevent them from making the most of their educational opportunities.

If money troubles do start to affect studies with Derby College Group, students could receive additional financial support with study-related costs such as equipment, trips and travel.

If your household income is below £25,500 AFTER tax or if you, are in receipt of Universal Credit or Tax Credits, your young person may be eligible for a student bursary to help with the cost of travel to and from college, lunch while you they are at college and uniform, PPE or text books.

If you have not yet applied and you think you may be eligible, please email the student’s name, ID number and the site they attend to studentsupportfund@derby-college.ac.uk

We’re Hiring! Sessional Exam Invigilators

The Exams Team at Derby College is seeking individuals with strong organisational and interpersonal skills to become Invigilators.

As an Invigilator, you will support the administration, invigilation, and reading/scribing of exams while ensuring they follow regulatory requirements.

Full training will be provided, with ongoing training to keep you updated on procedures and regulations. Ideal candidates will have flexibility, a good understanding of teamwork and customer service, and an attention to detail.

The role is sessional and paid hourly, allowing for a flexible work schedule.

£11 Per hour / Hours available throughout the whole year.

If this is of interest to you, please reach out to Lucy Hanson at lucy.hanson@derby-college.ac.uk

Coming Soon! Revision Sessions

With the summer GCSE exams fast approaching, we have different intervention strategies available to all students to build confidence and get them ready for exams!

Please ask your student to look out for news on our fun and exciting revision sessions happening over Easter and May half term.

Please also remind your student that the DCG Maths and English coaches are available for small group work or one to ones around their timetables.

Exam Information

The Summer 2023 exam timetables have now been added to pro monitor, this is the portal where the students view their exam timetables.

For up to date information on upcoming exams at DCG please visit the Exams page

Revision and Exam Tips

Our revision and exam tips aim to help your student prepare for their upcoming exams, giving them tips on: ways to revise, things to consider when creating a revision timetable and who they can go to for help when they need it.

Careers

The College Careers team can support all students with a range of things, 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.

To book a Careers appointment for support with a range of careers issues, including Next Steps guidance and option choices, students, or their parents/carers, can email: careers@derby-college.ac.uk

RECENT EVENTS

Virtual Progression Fair 2023

Over 925 Level 3, Year 1 students, attended our Virtual Progression Fair on 8th March, organised by the Careers team.

The Fair comprised of over 60 workshops from members of DCG staff and external providers including over 40 different universities, apprenticeship providers, and employers, including Rolls Royce, Derbyshire Police and DHL- with students choosing 6 sessions to attend throughout the day. The Fair was attended by Level 3, Year 1 students, from a wide range of A-level subjects and vocational programmes.

The event aimed to help students further understand the options choices, develop their understanding about sectors and subjects and it gave them a chance to get their questions answered. The event was well received by our students and the providers noted the students’ involvement in the workshops, both through their participation in a range of interactive activities and their insightful questions.

A snapshot of feedback we’ve received from students about what they learned from the event, includes:

• I learnt that there are still so many options that I didn’t know about
• I learnt that some degree apprenticeships are composed of several months of working for the company and then residential blocks at the partnered university in which studying takes place.
• I learnt that some universities have special arrangements for certain students, as well as being able to offer onsite or near-site part-time work.
• I learnt Personal Statements should have a well-thought structure and be concise.
• I’ve learnt and gained insight on the entry requirements, how long the courses are for and how to utilise your skills in your chosen field of profession (whether that be for an apprenticeship or university)
• I learnt that there are opportunities out there that could fulfil my needs in the future although at this moment in time, there are still choices to be made

Stand out sessions, popular with our students, included:

• Why go to University?
• Apprenticeships
• Policing and Criminal Investigation courses and careers
• Careers in Law
• Degree Apprenticeships
• Creative careers *DHL: Delivering a world of opportunity
• Pathways to Property careers *Interview Skills

Students have access to all of the sessions as they are recorded. We will continue to build on the momentum generated at the event, when, after the Easter break, all level 3, year 1 students will receive a tutorial session to help them draft a personal statement (for Higher Education, employment, an apprenticeship or voluntary work). We hope that your child found the Progression Fair informative, interesting and enjoyable.

UCAS Discovery Exhibition – East Midlands

A number of Level 2 and Level 3 groups attended the UCAS Discovery Exhibition, held at Derby Arena on 16th and 17th March.

The event aimed to help students find out more about their next step choices and explore a range of options in Higher Education and apprenticeships. Since the event students have requested follow-up careers appointments to discuss and evaluate the information they gathered from speaking to stall holders on the day.

As a result of both of the above events, and the on-going Next Steps process that is happening in tutorials, your child may have questions about their next steps. Please see the useful websites below that may help you or your child.

USEFUL WEBSITES

We are aware that you might be receiving additional questions from your child about their next step options- and so invite you to please get in touch with the Careers team if you have any questions or if you require any support with this: careers@derby-college.ac.uk

You might also find some of the following websites, some of which are specifically designed for parents/carers, useful:

Support with Higher Education (HE) options: Advice For Parents And Guardians | UCAS | Parent Guide To University

and for

HE open days: UCAS University open days – explore unis before you apply HE awareness events and University virtual tours: (sone events are online and others in person): Explore | UCAS and University Virtual Tours | UCAS

HE course and institution research: Hub | UCAS

Support with Apprenticeships: Support for parents and guardians (apprenticeships.gov.uk) and Parent Zone – Amazing Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships | Learn About Apprenticeships And Find The Right One For You (ucas.com) Plus, to search for apprenticeship vacancies: Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Support with post-16 and post 18 options: Post 16 options | National Careers Service and Post 18 options | National Careers Service *Please be aware that some universities offer travel bursaries to enable your child to attend open days.

STUDENT FINANCE REMINDER

for those going onto Higher Education in autumn 2023

A reminder that it is time for your child to apply for their Student Finance. You, and your child, can find out details (plus access the online application form) here- https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/

The closing date for completed online finance applications is 19th May 2023. If you, or your child, need help with making sense of/replying to offers on UCAS and/or Student Finance, please contact the Careers team at: careers@derby-college.ac.uk

You may also find the following website and video useful: Support your child or partner’s student finance application: Give details of your household income – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and https://youtu.be/xd4aDyNe3P8

VIEW ALL DCG’S LATEST NEWS STORIES

More information for Parents and Carers can be found on the DCG website.