Latest News

The Department for Education-funded holiday club spaces available in your local area.

Thanks to the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme, known in Derbyshire as It’s About Me, your child can enjoy fun-filled holiday clubs that include engaging activities, learning opportunities and healthy meals — at no cost to you.

Who Is Eligible?

If your child is both:

• Aged 4–16 years
• Eligible for benefits-related free school meals they are entitled to attend It’s About Me holiday clubs during the spring, summer, and winter holidays.

What’s On Offer?

Holiday clubs include a wide range of exciting activities such as:

• Sports
• Arts and crafts
• Cooking
• Dance and music
• and much more

Every session also includes a nutritious meal, helping children stay energised and happy throughout the day. Each club offers a unique programme depending on its location and type — there’s always something new to explore!

Not eligible? Many clubs also offer paid places, so every child has the opportunity to join in the fun.

WINTER

• Bookings Open: Monday 30th November 2026
• Holiday Clubs Open: Monday 21st December – Thursday 31st December 2026

All dates exclude bank holidays and weekends.

How to Book

1. Get your unique IAM/HAF code from your child’s school (see full eligibility criteria).
2. Visit itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk
3. Follow the How to Book Guide
4. Join the mailing list to receive announcements and updates directly from the programme.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE

** Updated** In relation to the Ever 6 category.

Please note Ever 6 FSM is only eligible if Targeted.

Those eligible for Ever 6 who are not receiving targeted FSM, will need to be referred for a funded place.

It can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off school, nursery or playgroup when they’re unwell.  Please click on the NHS logo to read more.

In this edition of the DACES newsletter – October 2026

Please click on each of the topics to find out more:

• Family Learning Festival: Celebrating learning together, 26 to 30 October
• Spooky Stories and Monster Crafts – Family Fun
• Halloween cooking – Family Fun
• Autumn craft activities – Family Fun
• Pumpkin Carving – Family Fun
• Positive Parenting: Free Triple P discussion groups to support parents this autumn

DCC – Back to School – Health Checklist 2026

Itemised Food tariff – Sept 2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Admission Arrangements 2027-2028 for The Long Eaton School

Admission Arrangements for 2027/2028

We have several residential placements at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell for students interested in experiencing what life is like in the Army.  The Army has several opportunities for people beyond serving, such as traineeships and apprenticeships.

To take part you must be at least 14 and under 18 during the placements.

The current dates for the residential are below:

21^st – 24^th September 2026
12^th – 15^th October 2026
16^th – 19^th November 2026   

As this is a residential opportunity, you will need to speak to your parent(s) or guardian(s) about the placement.  After that, please ask home to email me to confirm that you are able to take one of the spots and I will print the consent form for you.

There are 10 places maximum per week and other schools are also after some of the other spaces, so if you are interested, get in touch as soon as you can as we can secure a spot for you.

Finally, we may need to change selected weeks if you have assessments happening as it is vital you are in school to complete these.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Mrs E Williams – Careers Lead
tles-careers@longeaton.derbyshire.co.uk