A TAMESIDE secondary school that found itself placed in special measures has joined a new trust – an changed its name
As Denton Community College, it was given the lowest rating by Ofsted inspectors, with a follow-up monitoring visit finding things are getting better under interim head Donald Cumming after senior leaders accepted ‘endemic weaknesses.’
Now it has officially become part of Northern Education Trust (NET), the Taylor Lane establishment is now known as Denton Community Academy.
NET began supporting Denton Community College as its school improvement partner in September 2023, following a Special Measures designation by Ofsted in December 2022 that resulted in an Academy Conversion Order.
It has recently achieved its best ever examination results, placing it among the most improved schools in England.
And the school is now one of the most improved in the country for the percentage of students achieving a strong pass in GCSE English and Maths.
These improvements were reflected in the Ofsted follow-up monitoring visit, with inspectors praising improvements in culture, ethos, behaviour and academic performance.
Now after the full conversion went through on January 1, the aim is to build on those.
Rob Tarn CBE, chief executive of NET, welcomed students, staff, and families to the trust in a letter, stating: “It is my pleasure to officially welcome you and your child to the Northern Education Trust family of schools.
“Over the past year, we have been immensely proud of the progress and achievements at Denton.
“Notably, the summer GCSE results positioned the school as one of the most improved in the country for students achieving passes in both English and Maths.”
Dean Buckley, executive principal at NET, who has been leading the school alongside Mr Cumming, added: “We are delighted to officially open Denton Community Academy and continue our journey of improving the life chances of our students.
“Our aim is to be recognised as an outstanding school on every measure.”