News

APC and Mapperley and Arnold Rotary help turn vision into reality

Alan Langton of Arnold Parochial Charities, someone we are extremely grateful to for supporting the development of our Adventure School (see previous post), helped reintroduce DMS with the Mapperley and Arnold Rotary clubs (who, a few years ago now, very kindly provided the school with a 16-seater minibus).

Reconnecting with Rotary – and further funding support from APC and Mapperley and Arnold clubs – has being nothing short of amazing!

After a brief presentation to Rotary about an aspirational idea to provide an Onsite Alternative Provision service for students who would benefit from more 1:1 pathway-led learning opportunities in areas such as construction, mechanics, and/ or participation in outdoor personal development focused activities, the dream had a chance of becoming a reality.

Long story short, a simple sketch for a pretty basic shelter in which students could engage with hands-on practical study towards a range of vocational BTEC units, is materialising as a concrete-floored, roomy 3 bay workspace that will, once finished, be powered, lit and heated.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment of a bunch of Rotary members, particularly Chris Rollinson who has PMed the project and sourced the materials and mobilised Rotary members, over several months, the building is well on the way to completion. And huge thanks to D & J Projects for their hard work digging out an uneven space with an awkward bank, installing a retaining wall and soak-away and laying a large concrete base. They provided materials at cost and volunteered many hours of labour in order to kick-start the project. Without everyone’s kindness and passion for our project, none of this would have happened.

The gallery below shows the progress from start to the current progress. More updates will follow as we move nearer to completion.

APC Support DMS Outdoor Learning

When Alan Longton from Arnold Parochial Charities contacted the school about potentially helping us develop our outdoor area and DofE programme, we saw a future that didn’t involve storm-damaged and leaky gazebo’s and donated old frame tents.

One thing led to another, and after Alan’s visit and backing of what we were trying to achieve, he released some funds that enabled us to have built two more substantial and weather-ready shelters – one of cooking and food prep, and one for washing up.

The photos below show how these shelters helped transform the Adventure School area and help improve our outdoor and DofE provision.

We are immensely grateful to Alan and the Board of APC.

Visiting The National Holocaust Centre

Students in M4 recently concluded their latest history topic by visiting The National Holocaust Centre and Museum in Newark. Students were exceptionally well behaved and were a pleasure to take out, demonstrating excellent levels of respect towards what has been a sensitive subject. Well done, M4!

Laura Williams

Football In The Community

Last week, some of our Key Stage 3 students enjoyed a visit from Ben Cocker, Education Officer from Mansfield Town Football In The Community.   

Students are currently learning about different career pathways open to them once they leave Derrymount School and Ben discussed the Post-16 offer at Mansfield Town FITC.  Students learned about how to get into different careers involved in sport and what a typical day studying with Mansfield Town involves – and how much time they would have to enjoy playing football whilst studying for a BTEC qualification! 

Thank you to Ben for a wonderful presentation and for giving our students lots to think about.   

A person giving a presentation to a group of children

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Climbing New Heights

After over a year of Covid restrictions and uncertainty, it was a pleasure to take out students from M3 before the half term break. As soon as restrictions began to ease, students were excited and enthusiastic about their first trip of the academic year and chose to visit Matlock Bath and the Heights of Abraham. They enjoyed a ride on the cable cars, a visit down the cavern and a fish and chip lunch by the river. The resilience and determination shown by students who were incredibly apprehensive about the cable cars was incredible!

Miss Williams, Mr Bastow and Miss Gardner were overwhelmed by the impeccable behaviour of all students whilst out in the community and look forward to planning the next class outing. Well done M3 for being such wonderful ambassadors for Derrymount!


Happy Christmas 2020 from the Derrymount Governors

We would like to thank you for all your support during what has been a very challenging year for everybody. Let’s hope 2021 is better for everyone.

Happy Christmas from the Derrymount Governors.