Latest News | Derby Open Centre

COVID -19 Policy
FREE Online Learning Resources for RE
We all know too well how difficult it is at the moment to help children with their learning, when you are having to teach in multiple ways across multiple platforms. The Open Centre have therefore done a bit of investigating and have found many useful online links to FREE religious education learning resources. Please see … read more »
A new year…
Happy new year to everyone! We hope you are staying safe at this time. The Open Centre had plans to begin re-entering schools and finally getting to see those wonderful smiley faces of all the children we work with. Unfortunately that was not to be the case. However behind the scenes we are still working … read more »
Bookings Update – September 2020
Despite the current situation, globally, the Open Centre is still receiving booking enquiries for visits and sessions. This is wonderful news as it shows Religious Education is still very much on the agenda for schools! We are however remaining cautious regarding bookings as we are in uncharted territory. The safety of our staff is paramount, … read more »
We are Open!
As of Monday 7th September 2020, the Open Centre reopened its door for business after a long break due to the Coronavirus. Even though our offices are open, we are working at a limited capacity with all our staff now being part time. Manager Sam has returned from her maternity leave but will only be … read more »
Coronavirus Update 16th March 2020
Please be reassured that the Open Centre is taking the current pandemic seriously. We are working closely with all of our venues and are aware of the extra cleaning measures they have introduced. Visits to Places of Worship The following venues have decided to close to all visits: Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara – will review situation in April Nottingham Liberal … read more »
Coronavirus Update 13th March
The Open Centre is open for tours and workshops. Please be reassured that the Open Centre is taking the current pandemic seriously. We are working closely with all of our venues and are aware of the extra cleaning measures they have introduced. Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara has taken the decision to close to all school … read more »
Closed for half term
Please note that we will be closing at lunchtime on Friday 14th February for half term. Staff will not be answering emails next week as we are all currently term time only workers. The office will reopen on Monday 24th February. Thank you for your understanding.
March Bookings
Please be aware that we now have limited slots for March. We may be able to fit in stand alone visits to one venue but are unable to schedule any more faith trails. We have availability during the summer term, but be aware that June is already looking very busy.
Pre-visits
We are very happy for schools to come in advance of their visit to look at the venues and consider risk assessments. Please be aware that that pre-visits need booking in advance as we are a small team and there may not be anyone available to take you around the venues. You will need to … read more »
Christmas Holidays
Please be aware that the Open Centre will be closed during the school holiday period. We will close at 2:30pm on Thursday 19th December and reopen on Tuesday 7th January 2020. We wish everyone a happy and restful holiday period!
Open Centre entry for HMD 2020 75 Flames selected for exhibition
We are very pleased to announce that our entry for Holocaust Memorial Day 2020’s 75 Flames project has been selected for exhibition. HMD received over 300 entries and ours is one of the 75 entries selected. The exhibition will feature 75 art works created by groups across the country to mark the 75th anniversary of … read more »
Accredited Jewish Presenter
The Board of Deputies of British Jews has launched an innovative scheme of accreditation for Synagogue visit hosts. Eve, our Deputy Manager, is amongst the first cohort of accredited presenters as are most of the hosts at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue. This means that schools visiting NLS will be hosted by an accredited speaker and will … read more »
Open Centre News
Welcome to the new term at the Open Centre! Sam, our manager is now on maternity leave and will return in September 2020. She and her husband were blessed with a lovely baby boy over the summer so congratulations and good wishes to them. This does mean that our team is now smaller and … read more »
Closed for the Summer
Please note the Open Centre will be closed for the school holidays from 25th July to the 9th September. You can still email us on contact@derbyopencentre.org or leave us a message on our answer machine and we will get back to you as soon as possible upon our return. Have a lovely Summer!
The Open Centre is closed for the Easter Break
Please note that the Open Centre will be closed during the Easter break – from 12th April to 29th April. If you need to contact us during this time, please do so via our email – contact@derbyopencentre.org and when we return we shall respond accordingly.
****************WE’RE HIRING!!!!!!***************
We are seeking to appoint a Administrative Assistant to expand our ever growing team at the Open Centre. The role has been created to help support the management team with the day to day administration tasks required of the organisation. Applications for the post will close on Monday 18th March 2019 at 12pm. Shortlisting will take place … read more »
Visit times for Places of Worship
Please be aware that our places of worship do not host our visits every day. They are open to Open Centre visits: Hindu Temple – Mon, Thurs and Fri (We avoid Tues due to a regular function but can sometimes fit in a small group after 11:15am) Mosque – Mon -Thurs before lunchtime prayers. Closed … read more »
New Workshops
At the Open Centre we are always looking for new and exciting sessions we can provide for schools and organisations – many of which schools could not facilitate themselves. Many of our workshops arise from schools asking us to create something bespoke for their children. We often find then that other schools are also interested … read more »
Busy, Busy, Busy!
It has come to that time of year again, when the Open Centre starts to receive a flourish of bookings. As a result, dates for visits fill up quickly. If you are thinking of booking one of our faith trails, especially to the Hindu Temple, Sikh Gurdwara and Mosque please consider that the only days … read more »
Feedback from schools – Autumn term 2017
FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS – SEPTEMBER 2017 “Fascinating to see a service in action. Very knowledgeable guide. Plenty of opportunity for children to ask questions.” (Hindu Temple) “Made Islam real. Talked about life as a Muslim. Made connections between religions. Normalised and simplified the religion. Dis-spelled media misconceptions which was great for the children to … read more »
Feedback from School Visits – June and July 2017
“The assembly was very clear and gave positive messages out to the children. There was plenty for the children to think about and the host had good control of the children throughout, using various techniques to keep them focused. It was perfect as a start to our knowledge and understanding of the world week.” Karen … read more »
We’re Hiring!!!
We are seeking to appoint a Deputy Manager to expand our ever growing team at the Open Centre. The role has been created as a result of a staffing restructure in order to increase the strategic leadership and management capabilities of the organisation. This is therefore an exciting time for us as we look towards the future … read more »
Issues with online booking forms
We have recently had a number of reports saying that our online booking request forms have been completed but unfortunately we have not received them and as a result we have been unable to respond to requests. Our ICT support team are investigating this issue but until we have resolved the problem – please contact … read more »
Feedback from School Visits – May 2017
Here is a look at our recent feedback from visitors in May. Mr Kernaghan – Calow Primary “Good practical sessions and helped the children to understand the pilgrimage of Hajj.” (Hajj Workshop) Kelly Guy – Holmgate Primary “Lots of knowledge. A wonderful experience to see the prayers.” (Hindu Temple) “Very engaging with the children and … read more »
Feedback from School Visits – April 2017
Here is the feedback we have received from visitors for April 2017. As Easter was two weeks of April, it was a little quieter than March. Emily Doram – Brimington Junior School “Children were very engaged and their questions were well answered.” (Hindu Temple) “The children loved trying different foods” (Food tasting workshop) Helen Harrison … read more »
Competition Time!!!
********COMPETITION TIME************ WIN A FREE MOSQUE FAITH TRAIL AND MARRIAGE WORKSHOP WORTH OVER £165 FOR YOUR SCHOOL. We are offering one lucky school the chance to win a free Mosque Faith trail followed by a Marriage workshop. * For a group size up to 30 children. The Faith Trail and Workshop will be led by … read more »
Feedback from School Visits – March 2017
March 2017 Feedback Here is a collection of feedback we have received for March 2017. Another successful month! Helen Newton – Shirebrook Academy “An extremely useful and enjoyable educational day.” Natasha Rowe – Shirebrook Academy “Fantastic guide, really engaging” (Mosque) “Very informative and welcoming” (Mandir) “Great for students to try on clothes and … read more »
Feedback from School Visits – February 2017
A selection of feedback we have received this month: David Blackwell – Springfield Primary “Content was extremely well matched to the ages and experiences of the children. The two presenters were very knowledgeable and experienced in delivering to children and were able to communicate their messages effectively.” (Assembly) Miss S Hayes – Ripley St John’s … read more »
Feedback from School Visits – January 2017
Here are just a few comments from schools who visited in January: Helen Naylor – Brigg Infant School “We were made to feel very welcome in all places of worship. Everything was explained clearly and simply to the children. We appreciated being able to ask questions at any time.” Lucy Hadfield – Sharley Park Community … read more »