Year 8 students have been diving into the world of fashion and textiles by experimenting with a variety of innovative design methods. This hands-on exploration allowed students to express their creativity while learning key skills in garment design and construction.​

As part of their project, students used mannequins to create life-sized designs, experimenting with shape and form. They also explored the use of unconventional materials, such as newspaper, to develop their understanding of structure and sustainability in design. ​

In addition, students used Harumika dolls — miniature dress forms designed for fast fashion prototyping — to test out their ideas on a smaller scale. This gave them the opportunity to refine their ideas before translating them into larger designs.​

The unit has been a great opportunity for students to gain confidence in their creative thinking and problem-solving, while also getting a taste of the fashion design process. ​

We are really impressed by the level of innovation and imagination shown throughout the project. Well done year 8!​

A group of Year 9 and Year 10 students recently attended the German Careers Roadshow at Birmingham University, organised by the Goethe-Institut. The event brought together schools from across the region for a day of exploring how German can be used in a wide range of careers.​

Students took part in workshops, met university staff and professionals, and worked with pupils from other schools. They learned about career opportunities in areas like business, tourism, and engineering, and how speaking German can open doors to study and work abroad.​

It was an inspiring day that showed just how valuable learning a language can be. Well done to everyone who took part​.

Selected DEC pupils were privileged to take part in an entrepreneurial workshops run by F2D-ITC. The organisation was established to help support children and young people in the community through workshops based on entrepreneurship, creativity and mentoring. As qualified mentors and business owners, F2D like to pass on their knowledge, experience and expertise to the next generation, with a view to assisting them to succeed and navigate life with a positive mindset.

Our pupils were split into two teams and each team designed a hoodie which meant something to the groups and encompassed their future aspirations. Our pupils learnt about branding and how to work effectively as a team and alongside two fantastic mentors, Marc and Dan. Take a look at their designs which became a reality, here: https://f2ditc.com/

A huge well done to our Year 10 and 12 students who took part in mock interviews on Wednesday 21st May. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to gain real-world experience and receive feedback from professionals representing organisations such as Jaguar Land Rover, The Ministry of Justice, and Sport4Life.

Our visitors were full of praise, commenting on how impressively students conducted themselves, with many showcasing strong communication skills, confidence, and clear employability potential. We're incredibly proud of the way our students rose to the challenge—this experience has no doubt equipped them with valuable insight for their future career journeys. Well done, everyone!

The auditorium at Millennium Point was once again filled with excitement and pride as the third annual Matrix Pupil Awards Ceremony took place. Now a firmly established tradition, the event recognised outstanding academic achievements across all our schools while celebrating the unique talents and character of each of our pupils.

The evening was opened by CEO Lynsey Draycott, with Headteachers from across the trust taking to the stage to present awards to their proud pupils. Among the honours were five standout titles: Most Creative, Most Resilient, Most Selfless, Continuous Improver, and Most Enthusiastic — each highlighting the remarkable qualities shown by pupils throughout the year.

The ceremony also featured captivating performances from pupils who triumphed in our trust-wide talent competition. Their musical skills added an unforgettable touch to the evening and demonstrated the breadth of talent within our schools.

Special recognition was also given to pupils involved in our Combined Cadet Force and those who successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, celebrating their commitment, resilience, and leadership beyond the classroom.

The awards were presented by our Chair of Trustees, Sir Mark Aspinall. A big thank you to our special guest Beth who gave some very inspiring words.

A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all of our award winners, performers, dedicated staff, trustees, parents and carers who made the evening such a success. A highlight video will be posted shortly.

At Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School we strive for excellence and want the best for every child, regardless of who they are. If you are looking for an exceptional secondary school for your child, book to attend one of our Open Events to see what we have to offer.

Open Evening will take place on Thursday 18^th September 2025 4:00pm – 8:00pm | BOOK HERE

Open Mornings will take place on 22-24 September 2025 and 6-8 October 2024 9:15-10:00am | BOOK HERE

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of our very first Trust-wide Spelling Bee – a vibrant event that brought together pupils from all our schools, in a showcase of linguistic talent, nerves of steel, and community spirit.

Over 40 brilliant spellers from Key Stages 2 and 3 took to the stage, each tackling an impressive word list of more than 150 challenging entries. From phosphorescent to megalomaniac, cantankerous, chihuahua, frittata, and hieroglyphics, the competition tested not only vocabulary but also memory, focus, and composure under pressure.

The atmosphere was electric, with supporters gripped from start to finish, watching each round unfold on the edge of their seats. In an extraordinary finish, two winners were crowned – a testament to just how high the standard was. Huge congratulations to our co-champions: one from Etone College and the other from Bloxwich Academy Primary.

Both of them had to complete the tie breaker, spelling as accurately as possible a fearsome word which they had not been told in advance: ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM. Both of them spelled it correctly!

This inaugural event marks the beginning of what we expect to become a favourite in the Matrix events calendar. A huge thank you to all the pupils, staff and supporters who made this possible. We’re already looking forward to next year’s Spelling Bee!

All schools across our Trust have been working collaboratively to recognise and celebrate key dates in the PSHE calendar. These are in addition to other events that will also be taking place in our individual schools. We are very proud to share our Matrix Academy Trust Personal Development Calendar which gives details of the events where our schools have come together to produce a wide range of activities for our pupils. These events will be recognised through a combination of assemblies and form time activities as well as their importance being widely publicised through our social media platforms and in schools through displays, posters and TV screens. For some events, there will be additional activities planned such as competitions to engage our learners in the real meaning of these days.

There is a wide range of days recognised to acknowledge different faiths and groups as well as promote very important themes such as equality, diversity, wellbeing and British Values. This project epitomises the real spirit of collaboration in our school as well as our commitment to ensuring that our pupils have the knowledge and skills to not only keep themselves safe but be ready and able to make a valuable contribution to society.

Come and witness the magic!

Join us for an evening of incredible performances as our talented pupils showcase their unique acts at DEC's Got Talent! From jaw-dropping dance routines to amazing musical performances and more, there’s something for everyone!

Date: Monday 7^th April 2025
Time: 5.30-7.00pm

Location: School Hall

Cost: £1.50 (all donations go to charity)

Don't miss the chance to cheer for our stars of tomorrow!

Bring your friends and family for a night full of talent, fun, and excitement!