Our Air Cadets, Army Cadets and Explorers formed our Armistice Day Honour Guard this morning whilst Miss Watson performed the last post as we remembered.
Armistice Day Honour Guard
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We have worked hard in the Product Design department to make a soldier for The Stamford Unit at Tameside Hospital, a range of fabric poppies, plastic poppies that adorn the school main entrance pathway and two new soldiers to be displayed at the main reception for Remembrance Day.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Updated – December 2021
Denton Community College has a duty of care to all its students, staff and our wider community. We are following the advice given out by the Department of Education, the Department for Health and Social Care and Public Health. We are monitoring all advice and guidance and will keep this page updated on a regular basis.
It is important to remember that the virus remains as contagious as ever and still has serious consequences for some people that catch it. The Delta variant can be caught by people who are vaccinated so we do encourage you to reinforce the key messages and steps that can be taken to keep your community safe.
Students have been given information about the Coronavirus and about the importance of good hygiene. Students should not worry as it appears that the young are the least vulnerable age group. It is important though for them to take precautions so that they do not pass the infection to people who may be more affected. On this page, you will find a short explanation and a link to Government guidance.
Where can I find more information about Coronavirus?
The best way to find out about the Coronavirus and the government’s response is to click here
For specific government advice for parents and carers about schools click here
What are the Symptoms?
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are still:
- a high temperature
- a new, contagious cough. This means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours.
- a loss or change to sense of smell or taste. This means they cannot smell or taste anything or that things smell or taste differently to normal.
What if my child feels ill?
If your child has the symptoms of the virus please arrange a PCR test for them. https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Please ring school by 8.30 am to inform us that your child will be off if your child has been allocated a place as the child of a Key Worker. It would be helpful if you gave full details rather than just saying that they are ill. If they are self-isolating please tell us that and the start date of their self-isolation. There is then no need to ring each day unless they need to stay off longer than expected to recover.
Will my child be regularly tested for Coronavirus?
We are continuing to offer Lateral Flow Testing and details of this can be found here:[LINK] Testing plays a vital role in the response to COVID-19 and helps to break chains of transmission by identifying asymptomatic positive cases quickly. This means those who test positive can self isolate keeping other staff and students in face to face education. Reporting all test results, positive or negative, helps the health experts have a clearer picture of any potential outbreaks in different parts of the country.
Currently those students whose parents/carers have given consent take lateral flow device tests twice a week at home to detect asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 and parents/carers report the results, logging them on the NHS Website and College’s Logging Site.
My child hasn’t been involved in home testing but I would like them to be
If you would like your child to participate in the LTF home testing please contact Mr Nixon, Assistant Headteacher to arrange this. We would encourage all families to participate in this. If you have any questions about the testing that he can answer for you, email s.nixon@dentoncommunitycollege.org.uk
Do students still have to wear face coverings?
Face coverings are no longer mandatory in schools. However, we do encourage students to use them if they would like to as they do remain an effective method of reducing transmission of the virus. The Director of Public Health may require schools to bring face coverings back if infection rates are of sufficient concern. Face coverings should still be used on public transport.
When should my child or family members self-isolate
The changes in guidance that began on 16th August 2021 have meant a significant change to how the risks around COVID-19 are managed. Perhaps the biggest impact is on contact tracing and self isolation. It means that:
- Anyone under 18 no longer has to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case.
- Anyone who is double vaccinated no longer has to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
What will happen with Examinations next summer?
We are currently waiting for the full details of the plans for next summer and will communicate them as soon a we hear. Year 11 students should speak to their individual teaches and revise for the mock examinations taking place in November 2021.
Where can I find additional help during the pandemic?
The information on this page includes Safeguarding Concerns, Foodbanks, Tameside Support Services, Domestic Violence, Mental Health and other useful links.
Please also follow the school twitter account for regular updates: @DCC_News
Where can I find support with Parenting?
Are school trips taking place?
Following guidance from the DfE and Tameside, appropriate school trips will begin to occur again.
What about parents and other visitors coming to school?
We are keen to continue to engage with parents, we will have these discussions on the telephone, Google Meet or through email. Telephone meetings can be arranged in a normal way. Visitors should only enter reception if absolutely needed, visitors to the school must make a prior appointment. The safety of our school community is our main priority.
How will work be provided if the school has to close again or if my child has to self isolate?
We will provide work via Google Classroom and the school VLE. It would be useful for you to check with your child that they can access Google Classroom and their email account. If there are any problems please let us know.
Please direct any Username and Password issues to:
information about how to access Google Classroom and Home learning can be found at by clicking on the word Home Learning below:
Additional information about issues with google classroom can be found on the FAQ links below:
How to log into Google Classroom for the first time
Help with Google Classroom – FAQ
Additional guidance and activities for you and your child on maintaining Internet Safety can be found here:
How do I help my child during this time? What can I do to explain the situation?
The following document provides specific advice on speaking to your child at this time. It has useful help and tips on how to respond to worries and concerns in relation to COVID -19 and Coronavirus.
Click on this link: Responding to worries about Covid-19, advice for Parents and Carers
Where can I find support for my Mental Health and Isolation?
The NHS is offering Tips and guidance on Mental Health and Wellbeing here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
I require extra support during this period, or I have a Safeguarding Concern?
For Safeguarding concerns, please email: dsl@dentoncommunitycollege.
Other useful numbers include:
Tameside Children’s Social Care – 0161 342 4101 Out of hours: 0342 4444
Childline – 0800 1111
Tameside Housing Advice – 0161 330 2032
Domestic Violence National Helpline – 08082000247
Police (Non urgent) – 101
Samaritans (Emotional Support/Distress) – 116 123
St Mary’s Food Bank (Haughton Green) opening times:
Tuesday – 4pm-5pm
Wednesday – 3pm-4pm
Friday – 11.30am-12.15pm
Tuesday – 4pm-5pm
Wednesday – 3pm-4pm
Friday – 11.30am-12.15pm
This link has the information about local vaccination centres in Tameside https://www.tameside.gov.uk/covidvaccine
If you are concerned that any members of your family have symptoms linked to the Coronavirus, follow Public Health guidance.
Keep the school informed if there is anything that you think we should know about.
Reassure your child and encourage them to keep working hard and do what they can to support others, especially those in vulnerable groups.
What can I do?
Personal hygiene is the most important way we can tackle COVID-19, especially washing hands more; and the catch it, bin it, kill it strategy for those with coughs and sneezes. Good ventilation is another key protective measure.
Covid-19 Update – Testing on Return to College in September Years 8-11
Since March students whose parents/carers have given consent to take lateral flow device tests have been doing so twice a week at home to detect asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 with parents/carers reporting the results and logging them on the NHS Website and College’s Logging Site. We have had a very high uptake and I would like to thank you for your response.
As part of the next stage of the response to the pandemic, schools have been asked to offer COVID-19 tests to students at the start of the new academic year. There are three options for you to consider:
Option 1: testing at home before the new term starts
If your child has had no issues taking the home tests and you have had no issues logging the results, we ask you to ensure your child takes a test on the evening of Thursday, 02.09.21 prior to returning to College on Friday, 03.09.21. To do this you will either need to save a test from a pack your child has already been issued, collect additional tests over the summer from a pharmacy or alternatively order them online. On your child’s first day back in College on
Friday, 03.09.21 we will then issue them a further home test kit and ask that you follow Government guidance by continuing home testing for the month of September. We continue to recommend students take their tests, either on a Sunday evening or a Monday morning and either on a Wednesday evening or a Thursday morning.
Option 2: support with testing in school as the new term starts
If your child has been taking part in home testing but you have experienced issues, either with them taking the tests or with logging the test results, we would like to offer the option for them to test twice on-site in college on their return in September. If you would like your child to have their first two tests in September done on-site in college, let us know by
completing this Google Form by 3pm on Tuesday, 20.07.21 Students will be asked to self-swab and process the test in a designated area. A trained staff member will then monitor the test result as it develops, allowing the student to return to class. The staff member will read and report the result on the students’ behalf. After these two tests are done your child will be issued with a home test kit so they can be involved in home testing throughout September as
described above.
Option 3: new to testing
If your child has not previously taken part in-home testing but you would now like your child to participate, the option for them to take two tests on-site in college on their return in September is also open to them. After the first two tests, they will be issued a test kit for involvement in-home testing throughout September. If you would like for your child to have their first two tests in September done on-site in college, please read the attached COVID-19 testing privacy statement detailing the data we will need to collect from you and how it will be
treated. If after reading this document you wish to give your consent for your child to take part in the testing programme then please complete the
Consent form for Student COVID-19 testing at Denton Community College
by 3pm on Tuesday, 20.07.21.
The initial testing in school is an important strategy to stop the virus from spreading again in September. Whilst many of the COVID rules will be relaxed over the summer, it is still a highly contagious disease and it is important that positive cases can be identified to break the chain of transmission.
We have had a very high uptake and I would like to thank you for your response. As part of the next stage of the response to the pandemic, schools have been asked to offer COVID-19 tests to students at the start of the new academic year. There are three options for you to consider:
Covid-19 Update – Testing for Year 7 Students Starting in September
As part of the next stage of the response to the pandemic, schools have been asked to offer COVID-19 tests to students at the start of the new academic year.
We are looking forward to your child joining us in September as a Year 7 student and we would like to offer them the option to take two tests on-site in college on their return in September. These will take place on Thursday, 02.09.21and Monday, 06.09.21.
Students will be asked to self-swab and process the test in a designated area. A trained staff member will then monitor the test result as it develops, allowing the student to return to class. The staff member will read and report the result on the students’ behalf. Once these two tests are done, your child will be issued with a home test kit so they can be involved in home testing throughout September. We recommend students take these home tests twice per week, either on a Sunday evening or a Monday morning and either on a Wednesday evening or a Thursday morning.
Next steps
If you would like your child to be part of this testing programme, please read the attached letter outlining our approach to testing in more detail and the attached COVID-19 testing privacy statement detailing the data we will need to collect from you and how it will be treated.
The final step is then to give your consent for your child to take part in the testing programme. If you wish to give consent, please complete the
Consent form for Year 7 Student COVID-19 testing at Denton Community College
by 3pm on Monday, 19.07.21.
The initial testing in school is an important strategy to stop the virus from spreading again in September. Whilst many of the COVID rules will be relaxed over the summer, it is still a highly contagious disease and it is important that positive cases can be identified to break the chain of transmission.
Summer School 2021
We are delighted to announce that Denton Community College will be operating an exciting Summer School that will be open to all our prospective Year 7 students. It will give your child the opportunity to participate in a range of exciting, stimulating and challenging activities over the summer period. The summer school will run on weekdays from Monday 2nd August to Friday 13th August between 9.00am-3.00pm. You can drop your child off at the school’s community entrance at 8.45am.
We are planning a diverse programme of activities to engage the students throughout the duration of the provision. Activities will be delivered by our team of outstanding specialist teachers from across all subject areas and partner organisations.
Each day will focus on enjoyment, developing a variety of transferable skills such as; team building, confidence, determination and communication, as well as providing opportunities for meeting and making new friends and their new environment.
If you would like your child to have an opportunity to take part in our Summer School at Denton Community College, please complete the form sent via Admissions Plus by Friday 11th June:
Updated information can be found on the school’s website.
We will confirm your child’s place and send further details by Friday 18th June. If you have any further questions please email summerschool@dentoncommunitycollege.org.uk
Some of the students & staff involved in organising the DCC Virtual Christmas Fair presenting a cheque for some of the proceeds to local charity OKE
We are inviting previous students to keep in touch as part of our new Alumni Programme.It is hoped that it will benefit students that are currently at the College, as well as create a network of support for those that have exited education.
The College has now been open for ten years with between four and five thousand students now having left on completion of their studies. Forming an alumni is something that was very much at the forefront of our thoughts. It is hoped that the programme will create work experience and shadowing opportunities for current students and will help them to build experience for their CV’s ahead of moving onto further education and the world of work.
Denton Community College has been honoured with an inclusion award by the Proud Trust.
The charity works with schools and colleges in the North West of England to ensure that young people who identify as LGBTQ+ are well supported.
Marking the achievement from left to right are Head of Religious Studies and PSHE Liam Spencer, Headteacher Greg Rule and Mayor of Greater Manchester’s LGBTQ+ supervisor, Carl Austin-Behan OBE.
“This award recognises the transformative work we’ve done regarding LGBTQ+ inclusion at Denton Community College,” said Liam.
This is something the students have been asking for and isn’t just for those that identify an LGBTQ+, but also those that want to be allies.
DCC – Lockdown Art
DCC students demonstrated their artistic talent during our period of enforced closure, the video below showcases some of the great work they have completed during Lockdown. Enjoy the inspiring, engaging and inspirational work of DCC students.