Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• November open days

  Thu 09 Nov 2023

  We are running a series of open days in November for parents who have children due to start school in September 2024. We'd love the opportunity to show you round our wonderful school and explain how our 'small school, big opportunity' ethos allows us to offer a nurturing, child-centred environment with a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment experiences.

   

  The dates for the open days are:

   

   - Monday 13th November, at 9.30am

   - Monday 20th November, at 9.30am

   - Thursday 30th November, at 2.30pm

   

  There is no need to book if you wish to visit at any of these times, just turn up and we'll show you round and answer any questions. If you'd prefer to visit at another time then please arrange this through the school office by emailing info@darleychurchtown.derbyshire.sch.uk or calling 01629 732236.

   

  

• Improvements to school site

  Tue 07 Nov 2023

  Over the half term break we’ve had some new doors and access controls fitted. This has been done to improve the security of the school site and, along with the fencing works around the back of school that were completed over the summer, represents a significant investment from our academy trust.

   

  To make best use of the new systems there are a few changes to note:

   

  From tomorrow (8^th November), we will only open the main gate by the infant playground in the morning. Children in Class 1 should then enter school through the door at the far end of the playground, as before, and children in Classes 2 and 3 should enter through the door by Class 2 that leads into the library. Both gates will be opened at the end of the day.

   

  If you need to visit school during the day, then please use the buzzer on the main gate as before. There is currently no buzzer on the front door to the school so please knock if you need to get in to see staff in the office.

   

  We have removed the gate release button that was on the front of the school building so if you are in school for any reason after the gates have closed then you will need to be let out by a member of school staff.

• Nursery consultation launched

  Fri 13 Oct 2023

  Following a well-received informal consultation on the development of nursery provision at Darley Churchtown, we have now begun the formal consultation process.

   

  All respondents to the informal consultation indicated their support for our plans to extend the age range of the school from 4-11 to 3-11. If the plans go ahead, this would allow us to expand our early years provision to cater for younger pupils in a teacher-led nursery environment.

   

  We are now moving to the next phase of the proposals through a formal consultation. A consultation document has been issued along with a draft admissions policy. Responses can be provided through an online survey or by email to nursery@matlockanddales.derbyshire.sch.uk. The consultation will close on 22nd December 2023 and we will then review the feedback we have received and decide how best to proceed.

• October Newsletter

  Fri 06 Oct 2023

  The October Newsletter is out with information on all that is happening, has happened or is about to happen in school: october-newsletter.pdf (primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com)

  

• Informal nursery consultation

  Thu 28 Sep 2023

  Informal consultation on nursery places at Darley Churchtown CofE Primary 

   

  Dear Parents/Carers, 

   

  We are always looking for ways to improve and develop our school and the learning of the  

  children who attend. As part of the next phase of development, we are considering offering places to children aged from 3 years upwards in a teacher-led nursery environment. 

   

  This would involve redeveloping our current early years and key stage 1 area of the school into an area specifically designed for the younger children within the community. Alongside this, our additional classroom situated by the library would become a dedicated space for our year 1 and 2 pupils.

   

  We would be grateful if you could complete this short survey on the proposals.

   

  Should the response be favourable, we would then proceed to a formal consultation on extending the age range of the school from September 2024. 

   

  The proposed admission arrangements that are referenced in the survey can be found on our website. 

   

  Kind regards,

   

  Mr Lloyd and Mr O'Connell

• Open Days

  Thu 14 Sep 2023

  We are holding a series of open days for parents who are choosing a school for children starting in September 2024. There's no need to book, please just come along to the school office at the times below.

   

  • Tuesday 19th September at 9:30am
  • Tuesday 26th September at 9:30am
  • Tuesday 3rd October at 2:30pm

   

  If none of these are suitable or you wish to visit on another occasion then please contact the school office to arrange this: info@darleychurchtown.derbyshire.sch.uk

  

• Letter from the new CEO of DDAT

  Mon 15 May 2023
  

• March update

  Tue 28 Mar 2023 Mr. O'Connell

  Morning,

   

  I hope this message finds you well.

   

  Many thanks taking the time to contribute to our recent surveys about our vision and draft RSE curriculum.

   

  You can view a summary of the responses below or in the newsletter available under Parents/Newsletter.

   

  Many thanks,

   

  Mr. O'Connell

  

• SCHOOL CLOSED FRIDAY 10TH MARCH 2023

  Fri 10 Mar 2023 Mr. O'Connell

  FRIDAY 10TH MARCH UPDATE

  Good morning Darley Churchtown CE Primary school,

   

  Due to the heavy snow across the local and wider area, combined with the poor driving conditions, our school will be closed today for all children.

   

  As you can appreciate many staff travel into school and, despite best preparations, are snowed in, and unable to travel into school. This means that we are unfortunately unable to safely open our school site, unable to provide catering and unable to provide safe staffing levels.

   

  Staff from school will be sharing some available learning which children can access to help them practise key skills such as reading. We've no doubt that there will be time to enjoy the unusual heavy snow.

   

  Many thanks for your time and continued support.

   

  Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Lloyd

• Snow update

  Thu 09 Mar 2023

  Dear parents and carers,

   

  Many thanks for your help and understanding when collecting children across the afternoon. It is lovely to see all our children and staff safely home at the end of the school day.

   

  As you’re no doubt aware, the weather forecast for the local area is predicting heavy snow later this afternoon and into the evening.

   

  We will continue to closely monitor the weather conditions, as well as the safety of the school site and local roads, and make a decision about opening on Friday by 7:15 a.m. tomorrow morning. If school is closed tomorrow, we will inform you by text message and will also place the information on the school website and Facebook page.

    

  Best wishes,

   

  Tom Lloyd

  Head of School