From The Principal #207

Dear Parents and Guardians,

DLD is in full study mode with revision sessions and extra support clinics preparing our final year students for their external examinations. Study leave for students in Year 11 taking GCSEs and Year 13 students taking A-Levels begins on 6^th May, with teachers still being available after this date for students to seek support. I would like to thank our school community for the support being shown to our students at this time both at school and from home. This time of year requires focus, resilience and organisation, all key skills which we focus on developing in students throughout the year.  In PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) we have had a particular focus on Character Education in current weeks. Character Education aims to develop well-rounded young adults who are ready to take their place in the world beyond school and prepares them for responsibilities and experiences in later life. More information on Character Education can be found here.

In continuing to offer wider experiences in which our students can develop, the Year 13 Business BTEC students this week visited SENSAS in the Vauxhall area of London.  As part of their BTEC course students must develop teamwork skills in order to solve problems in the world of business. This experience provided several difficult challenges which required critical thinking, strategy, and leadership in order to solve. Students worked together successfully and with an element of competition and fun to achieve these aims. At the other end of school, our Year 9 students this week visited The British Museum as part of their Urban School Project, and enjoyed a workshop on Classical, Egyptian and Greek currencies and artefacts. This opportunity enriched their understanding of monetary value and daily life in the ancient world, experiencing real examples as studied in the classroom as part of their People & Places course. As well as trips out, we have had professional speakers in! Rob Miller, a guru of Media and Film courses, visited DLD throughout the course of this week supporting GCSE, A-Level and BTEC Film and Media students with their exam preparation. Students have enjoyed the discussions and debates on films and works of media, which they have then used to apply to exam-style questions.

We are thrilled to now have a new display space for our creative subjects in Art, Photography, Design, Fashion, Photography, and Graphics on the first floor. Our Art department have provided a unique space complete with neon lighting showcasing ‘The Art of DLD’. This area will be used as the central focal point for the reception following DLD’s graduation ceremony on 21^st June, in which we look forward to welcoming parents, guardians and carers of graduating students.

Best wishes,
Sarah Watson, Vice Principal (Academic)