21 January 2026

DEC was proud to host a highly successful Careers Fair on Wednesday 21 January 2026, providing students with a valuable opportunity to explore a wide range of future education, training and career pathways.

The event brought together an impressive mix of employers, colleges, universities, training providers and uniformed services, enabling students to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions and gain real-world insight into life beyond school. From higher education and apprenticeships to creative industries and public services, the fair showcased the breadth of opportunities available to young people today.

We were delighted to welcome representatives from the following organisations:

• Access Creative College
• Access Sport (Alvechurch Football Academy)
• Army
• Aston University
• Aston University Engineering Academy (AUEA)
• Birmingham City University
• Birmingham Metropolitan College
• BOA
• BET
• Cadbury College
• Department for Work and Pensions (Schools Team)
• Fortem
• Halesowen College
• Joseph Chamberlain College
• Newman University
• Royal Air Force 
• Royal Navy
• Sandwell College
• Solihull College
• South & City College
• SSFC
• Stratford College
• SYSTRA
• University College Birmingham (UCB)
• University of Birmingham

Throughout the day, students demonstrated excellent engagement, confidence and professionalism. Many visiting organisations commented positively on the quality of conversations with students and praised their enthusiasm and maturity.

The DEC Careers Fair is a key part of our ongoing commitment to careers education, information, advice and guidance. Events like this help raise aspirations, broaden horizons and support students in making informed decisions about their next steps.

We would like to thank all participating organisations for giving their time and expertise, and our staff for their hard work in organising the event. Most importantly, well done to our students for making the day such a success.

Preparing students today for the opportunities of tomorrow.

January marked the successful re-launch of our Mental Health & Wellbeing Calendar, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to supporting pupils’ emotional health and wellbeing.

Each month, the calendar features events designed to promote positive mental health, encourage open conversations, and ensure pupils know where and how to seek support. Some events also aim to raise awareness or celebrate important occasions, such as Volunteers' Week. Pupils can take part in drop-in sessions, themed activities, and signposting to internal and external support, helping them feel supported, informed, and empowered.

By embedding wellbeing-focused events throughout the year, we create regular opportunities for pupils to pause, reflect, and engage with initiatives that matter to them. We look forward to continuing this work and making wellbeing a visible and celebrated part of school life.

On Monday 19 January, we were delighted to welcome parents to our Brew Monday KS3 parental event, providing a valuable opportunity for families to talk openly about mental health and wellbeing together in a supportive setting.

Conversation prompts on arrival were well received, helping to guide discussion and reduce barriers to talking about mental health. Parents and carers also welcomed the sharing of our Mental Health & Wellbeing Calendar, highlighting key awareness weeks and upcoming wellbeing activities.

A range of thoughtful ideas were shared by parents to further strengthen our wellbeing provision, including expanding the website with downloadable resources, exploring the option to stream and record future sessions, creating a dedicated mental health section in the library, introducing a Reading for Wellbeing group, and developing a buddy system linked to upcoming Wellbeing Ambassador training.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed. The event highlighted the strength of our school community and our shared commitment to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing for all pupils.

On Friday 16 January, we were delighted to welcome 171 Key Stage 3 pupils to our Attendance Reward Breakfast to celebrate an outstanding achievement: 100% attendance across the seven weeks of the Autumn 2 half term.

The breakfast provided a valuable opportunity to recognise pupils’ commitment, resilience and consistency, while reinforcing the vital role that good attendance plays in learning, wellbeing and long-term success. Staff were proud to celebrate pupils, acknowledging the effort it takes to attend every day and be fully present in school.

Events like this underline our belief that attendance matters and that pupils’ efforts should be recognised. While we celebrated consistently excellent attendance on this occasion, we are equally committed to recognising and rewarding improved attendance at other points throughout the year, ensuring that progress and positive change are valued too.

A huge congratulations to all pupils who earned their invitation — a fantastic achievement and a brilliant start to the new term. We look forward to continuing to celebrate attendance success and supporting every pupil to attend, achieve and thrive.

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School has been awarded Foundation level of the British Council’s prestigious International School Award in recognition of its work to bring the world into the classroom.

The International School Award celebrates the achievements of schools that do exceptional work in international education. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work in today’s world.

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School’s international work includes the exchange of letters between our students and pupils at our partner school in Morocco, enabling meaningful cultural dialogue and the development of writing skills. This partnership was strengthened following Miss Dutta’s attendance at an international education conference in Marrakesh, where she met with staff from our partner school to establish and develop shared projects that enrich learning beyond the classroom.

On hearing the news that Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School had achieved Foundation level of the award.

Shannon West, Head of UK Schools for the British Council, said: Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School’s international work has earned the school well-deserved recognition with the British Council International School Award - Foundation Certificate.

We are delighted and proud that Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School is committed to developing a whole school approach to embedding and celebrating international work. The dedication from everyone is enriching education and supporting globally aware young people and the development of key skills.

We thank all involved in this important work; embedding an international ethos across a school can lead to International School Award accreditation, which is the highest level of the award. Schools looking to join this supportive and engaging global network should contact us at the British Council.”

The Award is now available worldwide in countries such as Greece, India and Nigeria. Over 6000 International School Awards have been presented to successful schools in the UK since the scheme began in 1999.

The International School Award encourages and supports schools to develop:

• An international ethos embedded throughout the school
• A whole school approach to international work
• Collaborative curriculum-based work with a number of partner schools
• Year-round international activity
• Involvement of the wider community

Today’s the day. The day you put the kettle on. The day small talk turns into big talk. The day you break open the biscuits and the taboos. The day you remind everyone how good human connection feels. How easy it is. And what a difference it can make.

When: Monday 19^th January at 3.30pm

Where: Canteen 

Why: To encourage our pupils and parents/carers to stop and chat about mental health. 

Details: Key Stage 3 parents and carers invited to join their child(ren)

Link to confirm attendance: Monday 19th January 3.30pm - Brew Monday pupil and Key Stage 3 parent/carer drop-in  – Fill in form

Our Year 10 and 11 Prefects have made a fantastic start to their duties this half term, helping to maintain high standards and supporting students across the school.

This week, they’ve taken the lead in our House Charity Challenge, aiming to cover 394 miles on three spin bikes—supported brilliantly by our Sixth Formers. Students from all year groups have been joining in with great enthusiasm, adding miles through cycling, walking, and even a festive PE Santa Dash!

We are raising funds for our House charities—Help Harry Help Others, Love Brum, NICE, St Basils—and our Trust charity, Papyrus. A highlight of the week was Ms Thompson’s spirited appearance in the Exeter Eagles costume!

Thank you to all families who have donated so far. Further contributions can be made via ParentPay.