Scott Hudson, Chief Executive, TDET, said: “Once again, our GCSE students have made us incredibly proud with their brilliant exam results. It has been wonderful to see their progress and development, not only over the past two years but throughout their secondary education despite the significant levels of disruption they have experienced. For them to reap the rewards of their hard work and commitment to their studies is great to see.

 

“Our Trust values include Excellence and Transformation, values which can certainly be applied to our students’ successes today as they enhance their future aspirations and career goals.

 

“I’d like to thank our passionate and enthusiastic teaching and support staff across the Trust’s senior academies, who positively impact our young people’s lives and enable them to reach their full potential.  

 

“We look forward to welcoming many of our students back in September to our excellent Sixth Forms and, for those who are departing, we’d like to wish them well for a bright and successful future.”

 

Some of the Trust’s top performing GCSE students include:

 

Thomas Deacon Academy

Mamoon Noor, who was awarded seven Grade 9s and one Grade 8.

Jasmina Farag, who achieved six Grade 9s and two Grade 7s.

Omama Zia, who attained a Distinction Star, four Grade 9s, two Grade 8s and a Grade 7.

Muhammed Gaibee, who achieved three Grade 9s and five Grade 8s.

Olivia Tekeli, who was awarded four Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and a Grade 7.

Bentley Alika, who attained two Grade 9s, five Grade 8s and a Grade 7.

 

Queen Katharine Academy

Travis Bendall, who attained 9 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Maths, as well as Grade 8 in Physics and Grade 7 in History, English Literature, Chemistry and Art.

Yana Chamapiwa, who attained 10 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Biology, as well as Grade 8 in Physics, Maths, English Language and Chemistry and Grade 7 in Spanish and English Literature.

Sanaya Weerasuriya, who attained 10 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in English Literature, as well as Grade 8 in Physics and Grade 7 in History, Sociology, Chemistry and Biology.

Rhys Westley, who attained 10 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Physics, as well as Grade 8 in Maths and Grade 7 in History, Sociology, Chemistry and English Language.

Martyna Zwierzynska, who attained 11 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Polish, as well as Grade 8 in English Literature and Art and Grade 7 in Biology and Grade 6 in Physics, Maths, Computer Science and Chemistry.

 

Richard Barnes Academy

Richard Barnes Academy is an Alternative Provision setting, based across two campuses in Peterborough. It works with students who are unable to access mainstream education, educating and raising aspirations of young people from the ages of 4 to 18.

Our students all follow different learning pathways which are suited to their academic level, and our brilliant teaching and support teams work with immense enthusiasm and dedication to inspire our students and ensure they are able to reach their potential. Our students have achieved some fantastic results and there have been many well-deserved individual successes.

 

Inspectors praised the academy, located in central Peterborough, for its welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated. As one of the largest all-through schools in the country, it caters to 2,308 students aged 7 to 19 and includes a sizeable sixth form. They noted that students benefit from a curriculum that builds on their knowledge, allowing them to deepen their understanding of important concepts over time. The report highlighted the academy’s ambition for its pupils, stating that most achieve well and are well-prepared for their next stage of education or employment.

The inspection found that teachers possess strong subject knowledge and adapt their teaching effectively to meet the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The report commended the academy’s prioritisation of reading, ensuring that students at the earliest stages of learning to read receive the necessary support to become fluent readers.

Thomas Deacon Academy's emphasis on character building through its 'six C's' curriculum - commitment, compassion, courtesy, curiosity, confidence, and courage - was particularly noted. Students benefit from a rich personal development programme, including activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force.

Students also benefit from exceptional facilities within their expansive 43-acre campus. These include a Norman Foster-designed academy building and a purpose-built Key Stage 2 building, as well as an excellent Sixth Form Study Centre and expansive playing fields and sporting facilities.

The report also identified some areas for improvement. These include ensuring all teachers assess pupil knowledge effectively so all lessons build on their prior learning, and enhancing the academy’s communications systems for parental engagement, to make these processes clearer.

Principal, Emily Gaunt, shared her pride in the academy, saying: "We are incredibly proud of this Ofsted report, which reflects the hard work and passion of our staff and students. Our goal has always been to ensure that each student acquires the necessary knowledge, skills and character to make a positive contribution to society and ‘thrive’ as a global citizen."

Scott Hudson, TDET Chief Executive, added: "This excellent report is a significant milestone for our entire school community. It highlights not just our dedication to academic excellence but also our focus on character development. At Thomas Deacon Education Trust, we believe in equipping our students with the skills and values they need to thrive, and this report showcases that vision in action."

Emily concluded: "While we celebrate this extremely positive report, we remain committed to continuous improvement and have some exciting upcoming initiatives that will help us build on our strengths and continue our mission to ensure all our students receive the highest quality education and the best start in life."

The full report can be found here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/28/135263

For more information about Thomas Deacon Academy, visit: www.thomasdeaconacademy.com.

The academy achieved a "Good" rating in all four key areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This recognition highlights the academy's commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.

The Ofsted report praised several aspects of the academy's performance, stating that "leaders have established a culture of high expectations and inclusivity." Inspectors noted that "pupils feel safe and are safe here," reinforcing the importance of emotional security in the learning environment. The report also emphasised that "pupils learn that adults will not give up on them," reflecting the strong relationships built between staff and students.

In addition, the report noted that, "Since the school joined the Trust, leaders have significantly improved the quality of education," with all pupils engaging in their studies and a much higher proportion of learners successfully achieving important qualifications. The inspectors remarked that "the school’s academic and vocational curriculum is well designed," ensuring a personalised learning journey for each pupil. They also highlighted that "pupils succeed when they return to mainstream schools," showcasing the academy's effectiveness in preparing students for future success.

Richard Barnes Academy is an alternative provision setting, serving pupils aged 5 to 16 who have been permanently excluded from mainstream schools or are at risk of exclusion. It operates from two campuses: the Fitzwilliam campus on Williamson Avenue and the Trinity campus in Paston, providing vital educational support for its students.

Claire Everton, Principal at Richard Barnes Academy, expressed her pride in the academy's achievements: "This recognition reflects the hard work of our dedicated staff, both in our academy and Trust, and the resilience of our students. We aim to provide a distinctive, purposeful learning environment, working closely with pupils and their families to provide education tailored to their individual needs.

“Our academy values of Ambition, Character and Safe encourage all our students to be the best version of themselves, both now and in the future. We are incredibly proud of this Ofsted report which is testament to the commitment, expertise and care that goes into providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all learners at RBA.”

Scott Hudson, Chief Executive, TDET, commented on the significance of the report: "The findings from Ofsted confirm our belief that Richard Barnes Academy delivers a high-quality education to its pupils. RBA serves the city of Peterborough, and we are delighted that the quality of Claire’s leadership and the dedication of her colleagues, working alongside partners in schools and the Local Authority has been recognised. We are committed to supporting RBA’s continued improvements." His remarks highlight TDET's ongoing commitment to enhancing educational outcomes for all students.

The full report can be found here.

These Kitts, containing a subscription supply of adrenaline pens, are thoughtfully placed in dining and catering areas to provide immediate treatment in case of a severe allergic reaction for staff, students, and visitors.

By partnering with Kitt Medical, a leading provider of proactive allergy care and training resources, the Trust has ensured that staff are fully equipped to respond to anaphylaxis emergencies.

TDET’s proactive steps to prioritise student safety comes in light of a tragic incident near Peterborough involving a child who sadly passed away from an allergic reaction in December 2021. Benedict Blythe was just five years old when he collapsed at school and later died in hospital. His mum has called for increased awareness and action to be taken, setting up the Benedict Blythe Foundation in his memory.

The foundation has developed a practical checklist for schools to safely manage allergies. TDET is committed to implementing best practices in allergy management and has adopted this checklist as part of its approach.

Michael Dove, Catering Operations Manager at Thomas Deacon Education Trust said: “We are determined to do everything in our power to prevent incidents like Benedict Blythe’s tragic passing.

“These new Kitts are a crucial step forward in safeguarding our students. It’s so important that our students feel safe and supported, as well as parents and carers who can be reassured knowing that we have taken measures to prevent potentially life-threatening allergy-related incidents.

“We’re seeing an increased number of children coming to our schools with allergies, and these are often more complex than before. It’s crucial we stay vigilant and prepared to address these needs.

“Included in the partnership with Kitt Medical is their invaluable online training course, providing resources so that all our staff can handle anaphylaxis emergencies. The Kitt service is a vital addition to our allergy management procedures.”

All TDET schools have also implemented a robust allergy management plan, including clear allergen labelling on menus.

Zak Marks, Co-Founder of Kitt Medical said: “We are thrilled to partner with TDET in its commitment to creating a safe learning environment for all students. Our Kitts are designed to be easily accessible and ready to use in an emergency situation. With every Kitt subscription, schools can rely on a constant supply of adrenaline pens, automatically replenished for peace of mind, as well as online training.”

As anaphylaxis incidents become more common, Medical Kitt’s innovative solution offer a proactive approach to ensure safety within schools.

Michael added: “We’re passionate about ensuring our schools provide not only safe food, but also a safe environment for children to enjoy their meals.

Being aware and having proactive measures in place is incredibly important, which our parents, carers, and staff are grateful for.”

Trustees at TDET play a crucial role in safeguarding children and young people across its academies. They rigorously review the Trust’s processes and procedures, and receive annual training to ensure high standards of safety.