Swindon school praised in glowing report

The Deanery Church of England Academy has been praised for “rapid improvement” in a glowing inspection report.

Rapid improvement, a clear vision and an atmosphere of kindness and respect have all been highlighted following an inspection of The Deanery Church of England Academy in Swindon. 

The school was taken over by The Park Academies Trust last September, and the inspection found that providing extra resources, training and new policies, backed by students and families, has been proving successful in just a matter of months.   

The school’s new behaviour policy has been cited as a key factor in the improvements being seen. The report states that the policy is “...grounded in its vision, sets very clear expectations for students. The clarity of the policy, and its implementation, has been instrumental in its rapid improvement.”

The Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) report, highlights the school's significant strengths and confirms it is successfully living up to its foundation as a Church school and enabling pupils and staff to flourish.

The inspection report identifies that the school’s vision is centred on the core values of wisdom, hope, service, and resilience, aligned with the Church of England's strategy to empower individuals to live out 'life in all its fullness'. This clear plan for the future has driven leaders to be ambitious after a period of instability, establishing direction and purpose. School leaders have been pivotal in ensuring effective staffing and resourcing, as well as providing support. 

Jon Young, Executive Headteacher, The Deanery CoE Academy, said: “It is thanks to the dedication and commitment of all pupils and staff, backed by our parents and families, that our rapid improvement has been praised so highly in this report. I’m delighted to see that our school’s many strengths have been highlighted and we are so proud to be providing the right environment and the best education to help all our students succeed in life.”

Gemma Piper, CEO, The Park Academies Trust, said: “It is a huge responsibility to take on a new school and introduce fundamental and wide-ranging changes but everyone at The Deanery has risen to the challenge and then gone above and beyond as we continue on a journey of improvement together. I’d like to say very well done to all the pupils and staff for the brilliant positive results we are seeing.”  

Key Findings

• Parents are “rightly confident” in the school and how it recognises their children's needs. 
• The support provided across the school has contributed to rapidly improved attendance rates.
• Leaders, including governors, were noted for knowing the school well and using rigorous monitoring to ensure decisions are clearly linked to the vision. They have established high expectations and clear policies and procedures across school life, which students recognise make a significant difference to their learning and personal development. Students understand how developing the core values prepares them for life beyond school.
• The school's curriculum is carefully shaped to meet student needs, offering a wide range of enrichment opportunities that enable them to develop individual gifts and talents. Careful planning, in partnership with parents, is used to meet individual needs. Effective development work with the trust ensures innovative approaches are in place to support vulnerable students, leading to remarkable outcomes such as supporting effective transition to secondary school and improving persistent absence rates. Students are proud of their school and the progress it has made.
• The atmosphere throughout the school is one of kindness and respect, with positive and pleasant relationships between staff and students. Students are known and valued, enabling them to feel confident seeking help if needed. High priority is given to supporting the mental health and well-being of students, utilising effective emotional development support work (ELSA) and input from external agencies. Students report that incidents of bullying are rare and dealt with swiftly. The school makes careful use of a restorative approach to dealing with relationship issues. 
• The behaviour reward system is appreciated by students and contributes to their sense of belonging and self-worth. Consequences for poor behavioural choices are clear and rooted in restorative practices, and suspension rates have been reduced significantly. 

Students are provided with meaningful opportunities to act as leaders and advocates, resulting in students feeling heard and having appropriate influence in decisions. The school’s student council plays a key role in working with senior staff to draw up policies and support future plans. Relationships across the school are strong, and students recognise the importance of fairness and equity. 

Staff are well-supported and encouraged in their career development, with being part of a strong, loyal team enhancing their wellbeing.