Season’s greetings from all at DCG, wishing you a relaxing break and a happy New Year!

The holiday season is upon us and your child will have a break from College. The College is closed to students from the 22nd December and re-opens on the 9th January 2024.

View our full list of Term Dates for more information Derby College Term Dates

Wellbeing and resilience over the holiday period

Christmas is a time when we feel we should be happy and excited but if you struggle with anxiety or low mood this time of year can be challenging. Things you can do to support your young person if they are struggling.

• Find time to talk. Ask them how they are feeling and what you can do to help. Sometimes it can be hard to talk about feelings so it can be easier to have these conversations when doing another activity such as cooking or going for a walk or a drive in the car.
• Find out what they would like to do over the holiday period. Sometimes all the activities can be overwhelming, so work out priorities to attend and plan in some quiet time too.
• If routine is important, try to keep this as regular as possible and keep them informed so they know what is happening and can prepare themselves.
• Encourage them to make time to do something they enjoy.
• There are many useful apps aimed at young people that provide advice and support and online activities you can contact for extra support such as: Kooth – an online mental wellbeing community for young people www.kooth.com and YoungMinds www.youngminds.org.uk which is a mental health charity for young people with useful support pages for parents.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Current students at DCG

Term Dates

Parents Evening Dates

Prospective students of DCG

DCG Open Days

EVENTS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

The Joseph Wright Centre Open Evening – 31/01/2024

TThe Roundhouse Open Evening – 08/02/2024

TBroomfield Hall Open Evening – 14/02/2024

EVENTS FOR ADULTS

The Community College, Ilkeston Open Day – 07/02/2024

EVENTS FOR THE FAMILY

‘Christmas Themed’ Animal Unit Open Day (Family Event) – 03/12/2023

View all of our upcoming events on the DCG website.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND PASTORAL SUPPORT

Introducing the Student Experience and Pastoral Support Team

The Student Experience and Pastoral Support Team proactively encourages and nurtures students to deploy effective behaviours and attitudes, fostering understanding and preparing them as professionals at work and as social contributors in life. We hope your child has settled into their learning and is taking full advantage of all the opportunities available to them to ensure they are on track with their learning as well as developing their wider skills.

Find out more the Student Experience and Pastoral Support Team

This past few weeks has been packed with events and activities…

Community Safeguarding Event

We hosted a Community Safeguarding Event, with a strong focus on Prevent and British Values. The event also covered a range of other crucial topics, including violence against girls and women, knife crime, vape use, and cyber awareness, sparking meaningful discussions among our students.

We had several distinguished organisations in attendance, including Counter Terrorism Police, Derbyshire Constabulary/ Leicestershire Police, Change Grow Live, and Safe and Sound Group: Transforming Young Lives. They collectively shed light on vital topics related to community safety and well-being.

Freshers Fair

DCG buzzed with excitement as students immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere. They enjoyed exploring stalls, participated in thrilling games, and even received stylish haircuts from our fantastic Level 3 hair and barbering students. The Fresher’s Fair was a resounding success, thanks to the amazing partners who made this event unforgettable!

A special shout-out to Derbyshire Constabulary/ Leicestershire Police, Precept, Everyone Active – SLM, Derby Museums, Derby Theatre, Aspire 2 Succeed, Project D, GXO Logistics, Inc., and Derby QUAD who all contributed to the success. Barclays UK financial advice bus was also onsite, offering invaluable insights on managing finances and securing a strong financial future.

DCG Students remember, respects and value their peers and wider community

Broomfield Hall students, Horses, and staff, came together to observe a moment of silence in honour of Remembrance Day.

We pay homage to those who have tragically lost their lives as a result of conflicts, acknowledging the sacrifice of both human and animals who have served valiantly.

Embracing the Positive Impact of Muslims in the UK

As we commence Islamophobia Awareness Month, let’s celebrate the invaluable contributions of Muslims to the United Kingdom. From enriching our cultural tapestry and driving economic growth to actively fostering community unity, educational excellence, and interfaith dialogue, Muslims play a vital role in building a diverse and vibrant society.

Recognising and appreciating these contributions, we promote a culture of understanding, unity, and respect for all during this important month and beyond.

HOW TO REPORT AN ABSENCE/LATENESS

We welcome the support of our parents and carers in supporting with attendance. We are keen to ensure students maximise their opportunities for learning and encourage all to attend where they can. It is important to attend all elements of their Study Programme, which does include:

• Vocational or academic learning
• English and / or maths
• Tutorial
• Work experience

If your child is unable to attend College they must inform us. They can do this by completing the ‘Absence Form’

Or, go to the College homepage, scroll to the bottom to the ‘Quick Links’ section and click on ‘Report an Absence or Lateness’.

If you can’t access the internet you can report absences by calling 0800 028 0289.

The Big Ambition – Have your say!

The Children’s Commissioner for England has recently launched ‘The Big Ambition’ to hear directly from children, young people and parents across the country. We want to hear from all children, in every part of the country and in every setting. This is your chance to tell key policymakers what is important to you ahead of the general election. Take part now and ensure your needs are reflected in the decisions that will affect you in years to come.

Complete the survey About this survey : The Big Ambition – Have your say!

LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES

Since September the DCG Learning Support teams have welcomed and continue to support well over 1,400 students across the College!

We provide a personalised centred approach around your child, and support is available on all College sites. This includes in and out of the classroom, during exams, equipment, and modification support and/or in the wider College environment.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Learning Support Services team. You can talk to us about your child’s support needs at any time during their studies with us. You can contact us on 0800 028 0289 or email the Learning Support Services Team

CAREERS

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships (HADAs)

Opportunities are now being advertised by large employers for their higher and degree level apprenticeships (HADAs), for a September 2024 start.

Other opportunities, including Rolls Royce’s range of Derby based Degree Apprenticeships, will be available to apply for from January 2024. Applicants will need to be on the second year of a Level 3 qualification (and be predicted certain grades), plus, have 5 higher grade GCSEs (as these opportunities are at level 4-6).

HADA vacancies are extremely sought after and competitive, so applications need to be of high standard.

The DCG Careers team offer support to students to research and sift opportunities and complete their application; contact the team at: careers@derby-college.ac.uk

If your child would like to find out more about HADAs, please ask them to look out for the Careers’ team event on the afternoon of Wednesday 17th January at the Joseph Wright Centre (details through personal tutors in the new year)

The event will cover:

• Where to find Higher or Degree Apprenticeships
• Decoding job descriptions and person specifications (i.e.- what do they mean)
• How to complete application forms
• How to be successful at interviews and assessment centres

Here are our 5 Top Tips to search for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships:

1. Visit employer websites and check the ‘school leaver vacancy/careers’ section
2. Visit University websites and check their degree apprenticeship offer
3. Check the Government website: Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and create an account to receive personalised updates, when new vacancies are added
4. Check UCAS apprenticeship search function: UCAS | jobs | Choose from 8,866 live vacancies
5. Check the Success at School’s apprenticeship search pages: Success at School: Search Jobs and Courses

GOOD TO KNOW

• Large employers may offer a range of HADAs (not just in their main business area- see the Rolls Royce example below)*
• Employers will advertise opportunities at different times of the year- usually from December-March (so keep checking their website and the other general search sites, above)
• Employers will want to see different skills and capabilities evidenced (the DCG Careers team can help with this)
• Employers will have different recruitment methods (the DCG Careers team can help with this)
• Students can save searches and get vacancies sent to them by registering on general search sites such as Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

*Rolls Royce offer Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in a wide range of areas, including: Manufacturing Engineering, Digital and IT Solutions, Nuclear Engineering Finance Professional, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Commercial Digital and Marketing, Marketing and Digital

Find out more on the Rolls Royce website: Apprenticeships & School leavers | Rolls-Royce

Current HADA vacancies in the Midlands, are also available at the following employers: Atkins Limited, Morrisons, Ibstock Plc, JCB, PwC, Pinsent Masons (Solicitor Degree Apprenticeship), Mott MacDonald and more.

Plus, UK wide vacancies with a large number of employers, include BAE Systems, the Metropolitan Police, Unilever UK, the UK Government Civil Service, Sky, the Royal Navy, National Grid, the NHS, BP and many more.

UCAS

The UCAS internal (College) deadline has now passed. The national deadline is in January.

Students have been asked to complete their UCAS forms and get them checked by their personal tutors.

Please encourage your child to complete their application and meet their personal tutor for the check asap; this will enable the Careers team to complete the final checks and send their form.

We have over 750 students applying across the College!

Help for all applications both Higher and Degree Apprenticeships and UCAS is given by the DCG Careers team, simply email us at careers@derby-college.ac.uk Staff are available on all sites.

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

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. Parent Portal

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

VIEW ALL DCG’S LATEST NEWS STORIES

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