The Dean Academy
The Dean Academy (formerly Whitecross School) is a mixed secondary school located in Lydney in the English county of Gloucestershire.[2]
The Dean Academy | ||
---|---|---|
Address | ||
Church Road , , GL15 5DZ | ||
Coordinates | 51.72141°N 2.53619°W | |
Information | ||
Type | Academy | |
Motto | Enjoyment, Achievement, Community. | |
Trust | The Athelstan Trust UID: 3831[1] | |
Department for Education URN | 138421 Tables | |
Ofsted | Reports | |
Head Teacher | Richard Brand | |
Gender | Mixed | |
Age | 11 to 16 | |
Enrolment | 609 as of November 2019 | |
Capacity | 1095 | |
Website | www | |
|
Location
The Dean Academy is located on the edge of Lydney, a small river-side town in the Royal Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. The school currently sits adjoining the Lydney Park Estate on Church Road near Bathurst Park, St. Mary's Church and Lydney Town Hall.[3]
History
Whitecross School prior to 1 November 2012 was a foundation school administered by Gloucestershire County Council, Whitecross School converted to academy status on 1 November 2012 and was renamed The Dean Academy. It joined the Prospects Academy Trust but continued to coordinate with Gloucestershire County Council for admissions. In May 2014 it was announced that the trust was to cease operations,[4] and The Dean Academy formally joined the Athelstan Academy Trust in March 2015.[5] which also contains Malmesbury School and Bradon Forest School in Wiltshire.[6]
In November 2015, the Dean Academy was put into special measures after a critical Ofsted report,[7] and the headteacher David Gaston resigned.[8] Following the resignation of David Gaston, the academy transferred control temporarily to John Barrett throughout the 2015–2016 school year. In September 2016 the new permanent head of school Tom Beveridge took post and continues to be at the helm of the school.[9]
Leadership had been a severe problem. Following the departure of David Gaston, John Barrett took the role of Acting Head teacher from November 2015 until July 2016. John Barrett introduced new action plans to aid the school in improving to a better standard. In September 2016, the new head of school Tom Beveridge was hired to build the required strategies with John Barrett taking a new role as Executive Head Teacher.[9] The Ofsted Report 2017, while saying the school 'Required Improvement', rated Effectiveness of leadership and management as Good,[10]
The headteacher has a clear vision for the future of the school. He is supported well by the chief executive officer of the trust. The head teacher has successfully communicated a message of high expectations and hope,which has renewed the confidence of pupils, parents and staff in the school. A culture of aspiration has now been established. Senior leaders continually focus on improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment,and this has led to significant improvement in pupils' behaviour and in pupils' outcomes. Senior leaders form a cohesive team. Staff value the stability they have brought to the school.[10]
Academics
The Dean Academy offers GCSEs, BTECs, OCR Nationals and ASDAN courses programmes of study for pupils.[11] The school also offers hair and beauty courses.
KS4
It is believed that Lydney year 9 students have not got a clear idea of their futures so the subject offered at Key Stage 4 should be broad and balanced. After discussion within the school, students will choose four options which they study for two to three lessons a week, and core lessons of English, Maths and Science for 4 to 5 with two lessons of PE a week.[12] The Ofsted Report 2017, while saying the school 'Required Improvement', rated Effectiveness of leadership and management as Good,[10] Modern language achievement, an Humanities is acknowledged to be strong. This is an improving school and weaknesses in the students previous schooling depresses the results.[10]
Notable former pupils
Whitecross School
- Wayne Barnes, Rugby Union Referee
- Andy Lewis, Rio 2016 Paralympic Gold Medalist
References
- "The Athelstan Trust - GOV.UK". get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- "Dean Academy". thedeanacademy.org.
- "Home:Map". The Dean Academy. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- Richard Garner (19 March 2014). "First academy chain closes leaving the fates of six schools in the balance". The Independent. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
- "BBC News - Prospects Academy Trust offloads final Gloucestershire schools". BBC News.
- "Athelstan Academy Trust - Malmesbury School". malmesbury.wilts.sch.uk.
- "Ofsted Report 2015". ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- "Dean Academy in Lydney is placed in special measures". Gloucester Citizen. 26 November 2015.
- "New headteacher appointed for inadequate school". www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- "Ofsted Report 2017". ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright - "Key stage 4 curriculum 2014". thedeanacademy.org.
- "Overview". The Dean Academy. Retrieved 14 March 2020.