Twitter @tcdskent

03/12/24

We are pleased to announce that we have received accreditation for National Online Safety. This is in recognition of the work undertaken in school, by staff, to ensure our pupils know how to keep themselves safe online.https://t.co/C79iLFylgq#cdsonlinesafety pic.twitter.com/1tHKvvYyz4

26/11/24

The Charles Dickens School is looking for a Cover Supervisor to join the team in Broadstairs. This role would suit someone who wants to support teaching & learning in a school. Find out more: https://t.co/1o6kqf5RX1 pic.twitter.com/YWwuh7jAtF

26/11/24

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26/11/24

Cover Supervisor required by the Chares Dickens School in Broadstairs, Kent. Info/Apply: https://t.co/DjB9XdpnAl pic.twitter.com/pjINZFuu9J

22/11/24

Y10 Textiles pupils have been studying Poppy Treffry and using their local surroundings such as the beach, their garden or local park to influence their textile design ideas. Pupils really enjoyed making personal connections to their work. pic.twitter.com/NnmXbKaAv0

22/11/24

Y7 Art pupils have been working on Frank Stella inspired sculptures. They worked in pairs to combine decorative shapes to create sculptured forms, exploring colour, pattern and space, and considering balance and structure to create forms that can be viewed from all angles. pic.twitter.com/95ELulyEUj

22/11/24

KS3 pupils had the opportunity to visit Canterbury Cathedral for a guided tour and to complete a workshop in the historic archives.  The tour was informative and it was clear that pupils were engaged in learning more about this beautiful and renowned landmark.#cdshistory pic.twitter.com/LrJ3ocPk1L

21/11/24

Cooking club continued with the Italian theme and pupils made deliciously filled, and folded, pizzas called calzone. We wonder how many made it home, but they warmed up our budding chefs from the inside out!#cdsfood pic.twitter.com/wmBaoecDJW

21/11/24

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19/11/24

Our local Environmental Health Officer, Emily Whittaker, visited the School to present to Y9 & 10 H&C pupils. She explained what her job is like day to day and some pupils were able to act out what happens when ‘an inspector calls’.A very enjoyable session. Thank you Emily. pic.twitter.com/UF9c5ah37J

19/11/24

Year 11 Hospitality & Catering ‘high skills’ intervention began in style with Ms Grossmith leading the way and pupils all successfully making eggs benedict!Incredible effort and outcomes for all, well done.#cdshospitality pic.twitter.com/ru3jpNx8nH

18/11/24

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15/11/24

Our ladies at Independent Catering stole the show again today for Children in Need. Always ready to take part in an event pupils are celebrating, today saw Pudsey ears, Children in Need T-Shirts and Aprons.Look at the incredible Pudsey cupcakes & biscuits.Thank you ladies! pic.twitter.com/pGFXL8DzjX

15/11/24

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15/11/24

Y7 & 8 pupils have the option to complete the Mayor of Broadstairs Award this year. This is an exciting addition to our Character Education programme and is supported by the Mayor of Broadstairs and St Peters, Cllr Mike Garner.#cdscharactereducation pic.twitter.com/Xyrx0FbRWW

14/11/24

Our budding chefs took part in a ravioli masterclass this week with Daisy Bergonzi of YUMDMC. Pupils successfully made hand rolled ravioli pasta parcels filled with ricotta, lemon, spinach, garlic and parmesan and topped with brown butter.#cdsfood pic.twitter.com/JCKw3qjUD8

13/11/24

Pupils serving as cadets in the armed forces paid their respects for Remembrance today by dressing in their cadet uniforms at school today, joined by Margate Boys’ Brigade, the Scout troops and the Sea Scouts. Lest we forget. pic.twitter.com/SD2lkwHrzY

13/11/24

A group of Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils had an unforgettable experience at The Lion King Musical in London’s West End! It was a wonderful opportunity to see a live performance and be inspired by the creativity that goes into a professional show.#cdsculturalcapital pic.twitter.com/NYOatrz0te

12/11/24

Y9 pupils took part in a session with EBP about marketing and promoting themselves online and the consequences of their digital footprint, making them aware of potential negative effects of what they post online. Thank you for an engaging and informative presentation. pic.twitter.com/KIgMwikloB

12/11/24

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11/11/24

The School was represented by Head Pupils Leah and Ruby, at Broadstairs' Remembrance Service, laying a wreath on behalf of CDS. It was an honour for the School to take part in the coming together of the local community for this service.Lest we forget...#cdsremembrance pic.twitter.com/dTXVJBLFOV

11/11/24

Pupils serving as cadets in the armed forces paid their respects for Remembrance today by dressing in their cadet uniforms at school today, joined by Margate Boys’ Brigade, the Scout troops and the Sea Scouts.Les we forget.#cdsremembrance pic.twitter.com/BtPYEJy9MT

08/11/24

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08/11/24

Engineering Club made jack-o’-lanterns which are a traditional decoration for Halloween. Pupils drew a design and then used Techsoft to transfer it to a computer and print the face of their jack-o’-lantern on the laser cutter. These look amazing !#cdsdt pic.twitter.com/ff2kRVTuFa

08/11/24

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Careers Advice

As part of improving the quality and effectiveness of The Charles Dickens Careers Education and Guidance for our students, Mrs Read (Lead teacher for Careers Education, Information and Guidance) and Mr Weller (Lead teacher for Gifted and Talented students) are working with governors, heads of year, teaching staff, students, parents, external agencies, further education institutions and businesses so that The Charles Dickens School continues to ensure that our students receive excellent Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).

Contact details for key staff:

Mrs Read, Lead teacher for Careers Education
Email: eread@cds.kent.sch.uk Phone: 01843 862988 EXT: 1869

Mr Weller, Lead teacher for Gifted and Talented students
Email: aweller@cds.kent.sch.uk

The Charles Dickens School is working to achieve the 8 Gatsby Careers Benchmarks, which reflect international best practice, to improve careers provision. As a school, we will be ensuring that all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks are implemented by September 2020.

The school has used Compass, an online self-evaluation tool, to assess how careers support compares against the Gatsby Benchmarks and the national average. We have baselined ourselves using this tool to improve our careers programme based on these results, and track the school’s progress against the Benchmarks over time. A tracker planning tool will be used to help record activities clearly and easily, and will identify how the school is meeting the Benchmark scores. This is the key tool that we use to measure the impact of our Careers work across the school and is reviewed every six months to ensure that progress is being made and impacting the development of all of our students.

The Charles Dickens School is working with The Education Business Partnership (EBP) which will provide external support to the school. The aim will be for every student from Year 7 -11 to have at least one meaningful encounter each year with employers and that these encounters will inspire pupils and allow them to learn about what work is like, or what it takes to be successful in the workforce. In addition to this, the schools aim is for all or the majority of pupils to have encounters with further or higher education establishment. Students will have encounters with these organisations whilst in school (in addition to the access we provide to apprenticeships and universities).

From Year 7 through to Year 11 students are encouraged to actively develop knowledge and skills that contribute to their preparations for the world of employment across a range of subjects, tutor time and dedicated focus days.  Activities, including business and enterprise projects as well as workshops and specialist speakers, support our provision for our students.

In February the school hosts a Careers Fayre for all students.  This event involves 50 local and national business, who working with school staff and our partner EBP, meet with students from all year groups.  All students will have an opportunity to explore a wide range of career opportunities and discuss these with the employers.  This event ties in with the year 11 making their post 16 plans and also the year 8 students choosing their options.

In order to ensure all students have 24/7 access to resources that support CEIAG, there are dedicated areas in the Learner Portal for Careers as well as links to the online software packages and other useful sites to support decision making.

We are also able to ensure that all students have access to independent Careers advice through our Careers Advisor Juliet Lasslett. She is available in school and offers confidential guidance and support to students about careers, education, training and job options, as well as other issues such as health, money, relationships, and housing. All students will have a range of opportunities to work with Mrs Lasslett. Any student who would like a Careers interview should speak with their HOY who will arrange this for them.  The Charles Dickens School offers a general programme of group sessions for year 8 students on choosing GCSE options, individual interviews with actions plans for year 11 students, and attendance at parents’ evenings and options evenings to give advice for parents.

A Personal Advisor can work with you to help prepare your son or daughter for the future. There might be particular times when you need our help, for example when your son or daughter:

  • is starting to think about their GCSE subject choices at Key Stage 3
  • is considering their options after Year 11. Personal advisors can give them advice and guidance on staying on in full-time education, starting work, training, work-based learning or apprenticeships
  • may be experiencing difficulties and they need extra support to get back on track
  • needs advice on the benefits available to them to support their progression through education and training
  • has a learning difficulty or disability and needs help with their next steps

Every pupil, and their parents/carers, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. The National Careers Service offers information and professional advice about education, training and work to adults and young people aged 13 years and over. Pupils and their parents/carers can access support via a website, helpline and web chat. For more information see the websites listed below:

https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

https://www.bestcourse4me.com

https://www.unifrog.org/