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RAF Cosford – Operation Prosperity Visit

Students from Years 10, 11 and 12 participated in the Operation Prosperity visit at the RAF Cosford Air Museum earlier today. Throughout the day, pupils received in-depth career insights into engineering, medical pathways, and the application of advanced technology within the armed forces.

As part of the programme, students engaged in informative discussions with RAF personnel, gaining valuable knowledge about potential future opportunities available to them.

All students conducted themselves with exemplary behaviour, and members of the airbase staff were highly complimentary of their attitude, engagement and professionalism.

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Birmingham Parent and Student LMI Guide

We are pleased to share the newly developed Birmingham Parent and Student Labour Market Information (LMI) Guide. This resource has been designed to support families in understanding the key growth sectors within the West Midlands Combined Authority region and to help students make informed decisions about their future pathways. HERE

The guide highlights the region’s major growth sectors, including:

  • Digital, Tech and Creative
  • Health and Medical Devices
  • Clean Tech and Smart Energy
  • Advanced Engineering
  • Construction
  • Green Tech

Within each sector, readers will find:

  • A clear industry overview
  • Examples of entry, intermediate and advanced level roles, including typical salaries and the skills required
  • Suggested school subjects relevant to each sector
  • The top ten employers currently recruiting in Birmingham

In addition, the guide provides practical guidance on “What’s Next?” to help students plan their next steps, along with a range of useful links for further exploration.

This resource is an excellent tool for supporting conversations at home about future career and study opportunities.

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Dallaglio RugbyWorks Students Explore Careers at Howden Insurance

Students from the Dallaglio RugbyWorks programme recently took part in an inspiring career taster day at Howden Insurance, gaining first-hand insight into the world of risk management and the wide range of roles within the insurance industry.

Throughout the day, students learned how insurance professionals analyse and manage risk, support clients, and help organisations navigate uncertainty. They took part in team activities, met staff from different departments, and asked thoughtful questions about career pathways, personal skills, and real-world applications of risk assessment.

The Howden team praised the group for their enthusiasm, focus, and excellent conduct. Our students represented the school brilliantly, showing maturity, curiosity, and a genuine interest in the opportunities available to them.

We are delighted to share that this is just the beginning of an ongoing partnership. Howden will continue working with our RugbyWorks students throughout the school year, delivering further career education sessions to help them build confidence, develop key employability skills, and explore future pathways.

A huge thank-you to Howden Insurance for hosting such an engaging and insightful day and well done to our students for making the most of this fantastic opportunity.

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Reading for Pleasure

Miss Dutta, recently had the opportunity to attend a British Council conference in Morocco, celebrating Reading for Pleasure. The event was truly inspiring and highlighted the power of strong reading cultures in schools.

We’re delighted to share that we have now been partnered with a school in Morocco! 🇲🇦🤝🇬🇧
Over the coming months, our pupils will take part in shared reading activities and collaborative projects with their new partner school.

We can’t wait to see this international reading partnership grow — more updates coming soon! 📚💙

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Year 11–13 Trip to The National School & College Leavers Festival at the NEC Birmingham

Students in Years 11–13 recently had the exciting opportunity to attend The National School & College Leavers Festival at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 11th November 2025. This event designed to inspire, inform, and prepare young people for the next steps in their education and career journeys.

Throughout the day, students explored a wide range of exhibitions from universities, apprenticeship providers, employers, and training organisations. With interactive workshops, live talks, and hands-on activities, the festival gave our learners valuable insights into the variety of pathways available after leaving school or sixth form.

Many students commented on how useful the event was in helping them clarify their future goals, discover new opportunities, and speak directly with industry professionals. From STEM careers and creative industries to higher-level apprenticeships and university life, the festival offered something for everyone.

We are incredibly proud of how engaged and enthusiastic our students were throughout the day. Events like these are an important part of our commitment to supporting every young person in making informed decisions about their future.

A big thank-you to the staff who supported the visit and to the NEC team for hosting such an inspiring and informative event. We look forward to returning next year.

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Year 10 CV Workshops: building future-ready skills

Two out of five groups in year 10 recently took part in a CV Workshop designed to help them prepare for future work experience, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. The session was a great success, giving students practical guidance on how to present their strengths, skills, and achievements with confidence.

A huge thank you to Solihull College for delivering the workshops and sharing their expert insight into what employers look for in a strong CV. Their advice on layout, language, and showcasing personal qualities was invaluable and really helped students understand how to stand out in a competitive job market.

We would also like to express our appreciation to Mrs Fellows for organising and supporting the workshops. Her dedication to ensuring students are equipped with essential career skills made the event both engaging and impactful.

Students left the sessions with their own polished CV drafts and a clearer understanding of how to continue developing their employability skills. This marks an important step in their careers education, and we look forward to seeing them put their new knowledge into practice.

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Schools Unite in Remembrance 2025

On Friday, 7th November 2025, all schools across our Trust came together to mark Remembrance Day — a time to honour and reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who have served, and continue to serve, in our armed forces.

The event was led by the Cadet Forces from each school, who played a central role in the commemorations, including readings, the laying of wreaths, and leading the Trust-wide act of remembrance. Their pride, discipline, and respect set the tone for a moving and meaningful occasion.

At 11:00am, pupils, staff, and guests across the Trust joined together in the Two Minutes' Silence, uniting as one community to remember those who gave their lives in service of others.

We are incredibly proud of the way our schools came together — standing side by side to honour the past, reflect on the present, and look with hope towards the future. A huge thank you to Etone College for hosting the event and to Elmwood School for joining us for their first trust wide event.

"We will remember them."

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Odd Socks Day 2025 – Let’s celebrate what makes us unique!

Today our school got involved in Odd Socks Day, marking the start of Anti-Bullying Week!

Odd Socks Day is all about celebrating individuality and spreading kindness. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that we’re all different — and that’s something to be proud of.

All students (and staff!) were invited to come to school wearing odd or mismatched socks. The wilder, brighter, or sillier, the better! There was no need to donate money — it was just a chance to have some fun and share an important message about being yourself and respecting others.

We had some brilliant odd socks and we had fun as a school community. Pupils and staff left feeling valued and included.

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Year 10 Explore Future Careers with EY Foundation

Last week, forty of our Year 10 pupils had an incredible opportunity to take part in a series of Employability Skills Workshops delivered by the Ernst & Young (EY) Foundation at their prestigious Birmingham office.

Throughout the day, students met and learned from a range of industry professionals, took part in interactive activities designed to build their confidence, communication, and teamwork skills, and gained valuable insights into exciting career pathways across Professional Services, Finance, Administration, and Technology.

The experience not only helped pupils develop key skills for the future but also opened their eyes to the many opportunities available in the modern workplace. Many students left the day feeling inspired, motivated, and more confident about the steps they can take towards their future careers.

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Dame Elizabeth Cadbury and The Scholars Programme

We are very proud of the 14 pupils we have selected to take part in The Scholars Programme.

The Scholars Programme gives students in secondary school the opportunity to explore higher education and build key skills to help them succeed in the next stages of their education.   

Students take part in a series of seven university-style tutorials, delivered in-school by a PhD tutor throughout the course of an academic term. The tutorials are based on the tutor’s area of research expertise, so pupils explore an inspiring, supra-curricular topic whilst developing key academic skills that support their attainment across the curriculum. Students receive feedback and support from their PhD tutor to write a final assignment of 1,500-2000 words, demonstrating the subject knowledge, written communication and critical thinking skills they have developed throughout the programme.  

On completion of the programme, students visit a university for a Graduation Event to celebrate their achievements and build their understanding of higher education, helping them make informed choices in the future and believe that they can succeed in university-style learning. 

Contact Info

Woodbrooke Road, Birmingham,

West Midlands B30 1UL

Contact Number: 0121 464 4040

enquiry@decschool.co.uk

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Copyright 2026 © All Rights Reserved

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