ProspectusThe Dean 2019-2020

A mixed School for students aged 11-16 PART OF ATHLESTAN TRUST

Message from the CEO Strategic aims Welcome to the Athelstan Trust. The 1. Raising education standards for all Athelstan Trust was formed in March 2015 schools within the Trust. and from September 2015 it consists of three 2. Delivering an excellent, secondary schools in Wiltshire and comprehensive education for all ; , The children in the schools within the Dean Academy and . Trust. The Trust was formed in order to improve the quality of education for all students in Trust 3. Developing and valuing all the Schools and we believe that by working staff within the Trust. together, learning from each other and 4. Ensuring the financial security of sharing what we do best we can ensure that the Trust and all the schools within all students in our school receive an excellent it. education. All the schools in the Athelstan Trust have their own distinctive character, however, we all share a determination to raise standards for our students. You can find out more about the Athelstan Trust by following the links on the school website. Tim Gilson “Caring, collaborative Chief Executive Officer of the Athelstan Trust and excellent”

Trust structure

The Athelstan Trust 4 Trustees

The Board of Directors And Tim Gilson CEO

The Dean Academy Malmesbury School Bradon Forest Local Governing Body Local Governing Body Local Governing Body WELCOME I am pleased to welcome you to The Dean Academy. The Dean Academy is on an exciting journey of improvement, with large strides made in the last 4 years under the direction of the Athelstan Trust. In November 2017, the school’s leadership and management was rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, and we continue to move the school forward. Our drive for improvement will ensure that all students leave the school with the best possible outcomes, having had the opportunities to thrive in a range of areas. We offer a broad and rich curriculum, which is backed up by a wide range of extra -curricular activities. We ensure that students are able to make informed decisions about their futures, by offering tailored information, advice and guidance about further education and careers. The Dean Academy is a school committed to core values of respect and responsibility. We aim to work together to build and maintain a community within the school. As a school community, it is our view that all young people have the right to learn in a calm environment. We want our students to have a resilient approach to their learning and to develop their responsibility and self-respect. We want our students to respect their school, the staff and the environment, as well as each other so that positive relationships are maintained. Restorative Practice is at the heart of what Tom Beveridge we do – we believe that a school can only be successful when it is a true community. Headteacher The support of the local community and families has played a big part in the improvements we have made to date. This continued support is vitally important to our success and I look forward to meeting and working with you. CURRICULUM

At The Dean Academy, we offer students an innovative, broad and balanced curriculum which meets the needs of individuals whilst creating the best conditions for all our students to excel and to succeed to the best of their ability.

We have a highly qualified and committed team of specialist teachers and support staff who work together to develop our students as life-long learners. Students in Years 7 to 9 study the following subjects:

 Art  Humanities (History, Geography, RE)  English  Modern Foreign Languages  Mathematics  Performing Arts (Music, Drama)  Science  Physical Education  Technology  Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education  ICT CHALLENGE

Students are currently taught in a combination of sets and mixed ability groups. Students may be moved between groups in any subject. Some students will have the opportunity to study a second foreign language. Parents/carers will always be informed so that we can continue to work together to ensure our students make the most of their opportunities. In Years 10 and 11 we offer our students further opportunities. In addition to the statutory subjects of English, Maths, Science, PE, RE and PSHCE, students also have a choice of 20 optional subjects which are organised into learning pathways to enable students to make choices which best suit their needs. The range of subjects available covers both traditional academic subjects including separate Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Biology) and more vocational areas including Engineering and Construction which may be partly studied off-site.

REWARDS Our rewards system ensures that students are able to accrue points for a wide range of achievements; academic, dramatic and sporting as well as many other things such as charity work and community involvement. Out of school activities are also recognised and students are able to accrue points not just for their College but also for personal reward. RESTORATIVE PRACTICE At The Dean Academy, we have high done something wrong they will be offered expectations of our students. We encourage all opportunities to put things right and change their young people to try their best to achieve their behaviour so it does not happen again. If this does not goals. They should understand that it is the happen, sanctions will still be put in place. responsibility of staff, students, parents, By using the Restorative Approach it allows ALL parties governors, and the community as a whole to to have their say AND be listened to. uphold and maintain our school values. For occasions when this is proving not to be the When our students find themselves in conflict or upset case, we use restorative approaches to help all we will ask them: key stakeholders understand the impact of their • What happened? (Story Telling) actions and how to put it right. We believe that • Who has been affected by this? (Impact) by using Restorative Practice we are giving students the skills to independently make better • What needs to happen now? (Solution Focus) and more informed choices in the future. Most situations can be dealt with by working through Building, maintaining and repairing relationships these questions. The aim here is that everyone has a are the fundamental aims of the Restorative voice and the outcome is fair for everyone. If Practice Framework and underpin the somebody is upset, we aim to help them feel better. If Restorative process. someone has done something wrong, we expect them to take responsibility for their actions and fix the • Building – The key to successful classroom situation. management is the forging of positive relationships with students and teachers. We have, to date, trained over 40 Student Ambassadors to help run these conversations amongst • Maintaining – Providing students with their peers, as well providing full training for all staff to effective feedback to ensure a positive be able to facilitate such discussions. Our aim is to and productive working relationship. continue training students each term to support others, • Repairing – Using elements of the but also to feel confident in themselves to use Restorative Practice Framework to support practical listening and questioning skills which they will the student and teacher to repair harm or find useful for the rest of their lives. conflict should it arise. At The Dean Academy, we believe restorative If a student or member of staff in our school has approaches encourage us all to think about how our been negatively affected by someone’s behaviour affects others. It helps us to develop behaviour, we will try our very best to make sure respect, responsibility, truth telling and reflection as well they feel that it has been put right for them and as lifelong skills to develop and maintain strong that it will not happen again. If a student has relationships in the future. BEYOND THE CLASSROOM We are building opportunities for all students placement for one or two days a week. from Years 7 to 11 to engage in a careers With our extensive programme of learning outside the programme in order to help them make the classroom, encompassing everything from visits linked right choices when the time comes. In Year 10 to curriculum areas to trips which encourage all students participate in work experience for confidence and independence, we believe that our at least one week and are involved in other curriculum offers a wide range of opportunities for careers events in school. All students are every student. There are also opportunities for offered careers guidance and some students learning through extra-curricular activities such as are given the opportunity for a regular work Duke of Edinburgh, school clubs, workshops etc. COURSE INFORMATION SHEETS Church Road, , Gloucestershire, GL15 5DZ T: 01594 843202 F: 01594 842025 E: [email protected] www.thedeanacademy.org