From 1st – 5th July, pupils from all Matrix Academy Trust schools, including Elmwood School who are joining the Matrix family in September, embarked on the final International trip of the 2024–2025 academic year. The 55 children experienced an unforgettable week in the heart of Italy.

During their time in Italy, students explored some of Rome’s most iconic landmarks, including the awe-inspiring Colosseum and the Pantheon. A hands-on gladiator school experience gave everyone a taste of ancient Roman life — a highlight for many, even with the heat!

Adventurous spirits were tested on the high ropes course, followed by visits to the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and the lively Piazza Navona. Although a planned trip to the Vatican was sadly cancelled due to a metro line closure, spirits remained high. Instead, the group enjoyed a sunny afternoon on the beach at Ostia, where paddling in the sea proved the perfect way to end a packed itinerary.

The behaviour of all students was exemplary throughout the trip — a real credit to the Trust and to their schools. The final trip of this year was a resounding success, leaving everyone with memories that will last a lifetime – and a lot of enthusiasm to participate in next year’s adventures!

Thirteen of our enthusiastic Year 9 students recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a Science and Medicine Careers Day hosted by the University of Birmingham in collaboration with the Armed Forces. The event offered a unique and exciting blend of hands-on learning, real-life scenarios, and inspiring career insights. 

From the outset, our students demonstrated exemplary behaviour and outstanding engagement, immersing themselves fully in every workshop and challenge they faced throughout the day. 

The experience began with a carousel of interactive workshops where students engaged directly with professionals including pharmacists and opticians. They explored highly specialised eye and ear testing equipment, and even used stethoscopes connected to iPads to listen to simulated heart conditions such as arrhythmias and even the effects of being submerged underwater. 

A particularly memorable part of the day was delivered by the non-combatant medical forces, who led a vital life-saving CPR session, teaching students’ key techniques that could one day help save lives. 

For those interested in vehicles and technology, the chance to see and explore an Army Medic Ambulance with a powerful V8 engine was a highlight. Students were able to try on body armour and helmets used in real combat zones, gaining a tangible insight into the life of an army medic. 

The afternoon was packed with immersive, scenario-based training, where students worked alongside army medics to apply tourniquets, field bandages, and even gunshot wound plasters. They then took part in a realistic combat medical rescue mission including army crawling under nets, navigating a darkened casualty tent, and working in teams to carry injured mannequins to safety using stretchers. 

The day concluded with a compelling and inspiring careers talk, where army professionals shared their personal journeys into medicine and science within the armed forces, highlighting the vast range of career opportunities available beyond the battlefield. 

It was a truly enriching and memorable experience for our Year 9s, who left not only more knowledgeable but also inspired by the powerful combination of science, medicine, and service. 

We are delighted to share the fantastic success of our recent fundraising campaign, ‘Movie and a Munch’, which raised an incredible £1,800 in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital!

A huge thank you goes out to all of our wonderful families for supporting this initiative. Whether by allowing your children to take part, spreading the word, or donating to the cause—your involvement made a real difference.

A Fun-Filled Fundraiser with a Purpose

‘Movie and a Munch’ gave pupils the chance to enjoy a relaxing film afternoon complete with snacks and treats, all while raising money for a truly deserving cause. The event brought together the entire school community for a shared purpose: making a meaningful contribution to the lives of others.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital provides vital care for children and families across the region, and we’re incredibly proud to support the life-changing work they do each day.

Living Our STRIVE Values

At Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, our STRIVE values guide everything we do. This fundraiser was a powerful example of ‘Valuable Contributions’ in action—showing our pupils that they have the power to create positive change, both in and beyond the classroom.

We believe that every act of kindness matters, and this campaign demonstrated the strength of our school’s spirit, compassion, and commitment to helping others.

Thank You!

We are so proud of our pupils, staff, and parents who helped bring this initiative to life. Your generosity and enthusiasm reflect what Dame Elizabeth Cadbury is all about—community, compassion, and striving to make a difference.

Together, we have shown that when we come together with a shared purpose, remarkable things can happen.

Well done, Team DEC!

We are thrilled to share the success of a fantastic initiative that saw selected pupils from Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School take part in the F2D-ITC Project—a dynamic and inspiring workshop series focused on entrepreneurship, creativity, and mentoring.

F2D-ITC is an organisation dedicated to empowering young people in the community by helping them build confidence, develop essential life skills, and unlock their potential through engaging, hands-on experiences. Run by qualified mentors and successful business owners, F2D workshops provide real-world insight into the entrepreneurial journey and aim to equip students with the mindset and tools needed to succeed—both now and in the future.

A Creative Challenge with Purpose

Our pupils were divided into two teams, each tasked with designing a hoodie that not only reflected their future aspirations but also carried a meaningful message. This challenge allowed students to explore:

• Branding and identity – Understanding what makes a brand stand out and how to tell a story through design.
• Teamwork and collaboration – Working together effectively, sharing ideas, and respecting different viewpoints.
• Decision-making and leadership – Taking responsibility, presenting concepts, and refining their vision.
• Entrepreneurial thinking – From concept to creation, learning how to bring an idea to life in a real-world context.

Supported by two incredible mentors—Marc and Dan, both experienced entrepreneurs—our pupils were guided every step of the way, benefiting from their professional insights, encouragement, and infectious positivity.

From Vision to Reality

The result? Two striking, original hoodie designs that captured the values, ambitions, and creativity of each team. These designs weren’t just conceptual—they were brought to life and turned into real garments that pupils can proudly wear as a symbol of what they’ve achieved together.

More Than Just a Workshop

This project wasn’t just about fashion—it was about believing in yourself, thinking big, and learning that success starts with a vision and the courage to pursue it. Our pupils walked away with new skills, greater self-confidence, and an understanding that entrepreneurship is about more than business—it’s about mindset, resilience, and teamwork.

A huge thank you to F2D-ITC and mentors Marc and Dan for delivering such an inspiring experience. We are so proud of our pupils for rising to the challenge and embracing the opportunity with energy and enthusiasm.

We look forward to more exciting partnerships like this in the future as we continue to provide our students with opportunities to dream, create, and succeed.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate the success of 14 of our amazing Year 10 pupils who were selected to take part in The Scholars Programme—a prestigious national initiative designed to give students a real taste of university-style learning.

The Scholars Programme aims to broaden horizons and raise aspirations by helping students make well-informed decisions about their future education. It gives young people an authentic experience of what studying at a top university is like—and this year’s cohort truly embraced the opportunity.

University-Style Learning at Its Best

Throughout the programme, our pupils took part in a series of seven small-group tutorials delivered by a PhD tutor with specialist knowledge in their field. The topic for this year was both cutting-edge and captivating:
"Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine."

From ethical debates to scientific breakthroughs, the subject matter challenged our students to think critically, ask questions, and stretch beyond the boundaries of the traditional school curriculum. Our pupils were truly hooked from the start, demonstrating enthusiasm, curiosity, and an eagerness to explore advanced scientific ideas.

As part of their learning journey, pupils worked towards a final assignment—a university-style essay marked and moderated using undergraduate grading criteria. Completing this rigorous task gave them a real insight into the academic expectations of higher education and allowed them to showcase their potential.

Graduation at Warwick University

The programme culminated in an inspiring Graduation Event at the University of Warwick, where our students had the opportunity to:

• Speak with current undergraduates
• Explore the university campus
• Learn more about university life and the range of courses available
• Celebrate their achievements in a formal graduation ceremony

This day was not only a celebration of their hard work but also a powerful moment of reflection and aspiration. For many pupils, it reinforced the belief that university is a real and exciting option for their future.

Recognising Potential

While we recognise that university may not be the chosen path for every student, those selected for this programme have been identified as having the potential to make successful applications to some of the UK’s most selective universities. We are confident that this experience has equipped them with new skills, greater academic confidence, and a clearer vision for what their future could hold.

To our Scholars Programme participants: well done, Year 10! You have demonstrated determination, intellectual curiosity, and maturity beyond your years. We can’t wait to see what you achieve next.

If you're interested in learning more about The Scholars Programme or other opportunities that raise aspiration and achievement, please contact our Careers Lead, Miss Shahmiri.

On Tuesday 24th June, Miss Hart and Mrs Pugh took 13 year 7 girls to the Sport Birmingham 'Girls of Brum Legacy Day' at the Alexander Stadium. The day was centred around promoting engagement and female empowerment through sport, delivered through range of talks, workshops and sports sessions, all led by some of the most inspirational Female Athletes. The girls were taught how to fuel their bodies for exercise in a Nutritional Workshop, had some inspirational discussions in the 'Girl Empowerment' Talk and got to broaden their knowledge of different sports, taking part in sports sessions where they learnt how to play Pickleball, Kinball, and Panna Football. The girls got the opportunity to visit the Activation and Wellbeing Village, where they could take part in challenges, make friendship bracelets, ride smoothie bikes and take selfies in the photobooth! The girls had an amazing day and to top it all off, got their own 'Girls of Brum T-shirt'!

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!