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! 

A huge well done to all the sixth formers and staff who took part in the Chocolate 5K, whether running or volunteering, to support Birmingham Hospice. Your dedication and effort have made a real difference, helping to raise awareness and vital funds for such an important cause. Chris Rutter, the events manager had this to say about our students and staff:

"It was great to meet you (Mr Scarth - Head of Sixth Form) and the students on Saturday and hope you all had a good day. I wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to you all who volunteered and took part in the event on Saturday, from getting the 750 bags ready for the registration of runners, to cheering on the runners when they finished and giving out the chocolate medals to the supporters who took part in the race."

So far, we've raised an amazing £403—an incredible 80% of our target! Let’s keep the momentum going and push towards our goal. Thank you for your generosity, enthusiasm, and community spirit! 💜

The Year 9 football team delivered an outstanding performance in the latest round of the prestigious Trevor Francis Cup, securing a commanding 3-0 victory over Yardleys School. The win showcased both the skill and determination of the team, as they dominated the match from start to finish.

The match was an exciting one, with the Year 9 squad taking control early. Their offensive pressure and solid defense kept Yardleys School on the back foot throughout the game. The first half saw some excellent play, with the team breaking through Yardleys’ defense to take a comfortable lead. By the final whistle, the scoreline was 3-0, a clear reflection of the team's hard work and cohesion.

Key performances came from several players, with standout contributions in both attack and defense. The team’s defensive unit was resolute, ensuring that Yardleys never really got a chance to test the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the attacking force was clinical, finishing chances and providing excellent build-up play.

This victory sees the Year 9 team advancing to the next round of the Trevor Francis Cup, where they will look to continue their impressive run. Well done to all involved, and we look forward to the next match!

Well done to all the team:

• J Roberts
• C Fallon
• H Cranmer
• J Szabo
• A Ahmed
• D Woodall
• K Allen
• S Gambiza
• Z Reisner
• J Lawrence 
• A Green (Captain)
• D Hibbert 
• B Jelley
• S Grant

We are excited to share that on Wednesday 26th March, 16 Year 12 students, accompanied by two staff members, had the wonderful opportunity to visit the University of Manchester. The day was filled with engaging activities that provided our students with valuable insights into university life and the application process.

The trip began with a self-led tour of the Manchester Museum, where students had the chance to explore real dinosaur fossils and ancient Egyptian mummies at their own pace. Following the museum visit, students enjoyed lunch on campus, experiencing university life in between lectures.

After lunch, the students attended a presentation by current University of Manchester students, who shared their experiences and offered helpful advice on the UCAS application process. This was followed by a Q&A session, where our students were able to ask questions about university courses and student life. Following the Q&A, the group was given a tour of the University of Manchester campus, allowing them to see the facilities and learn more about what life as a student there would be like.

The group then had the opportunity to explore some of Manchester’s vibrant city areas, including Manchester's Northern Quarter, the iconic Affleck’s Palace, and the Arndale Shopping Centre. The day concluded with a delicious pizza at Rudy’s Pizza in Manchester City Centre before returning home safely.

We would also like to highlight how fantastic, respectful, and punctual all of the students were throughout the trip. They were an absolute credit to Dame Elizabeth Cadbury, and their exemplary behaviour ensured that they represented our school in the best possible way.

Additionally, one Year 13 student joined the trip as part of her own university application process, gaining valuable insight into what studying at the University of Manchester could be like.

Overall, the day was a great success, broadening our students’ horizons and providing them with more options to consider when applying to universities in the next academic year.