The Deanes School
The Deanes School, Daws Heath Road,
Benfleet
,
Outstanding progress
High quality learning is central to everything we do at The Deanes School. Inspectors commented in 2012 that “lessons are characterised by very positive relationships between teachers and students†and that “students made good and sometimes outstanding progress in the large majority of lessonsâ€. Indeed, students exceeded national averages for the progress they made in English and Mathematics. 85% of students achieved five or more A* to C grades. 69% of students achieved an A* - C in English, 70% A* - C in mathematics and a fifth of students gained at least five A* to A grades.
Outstanding learning
There is a rigor and intensity to learning at The Deanes; students are challenged and supported to exceed expectations. Ofsted commented that “teachers extend and deepen†students’ thinking. The school day comprises three one hundred minute lessons. Learning is characterised in these lessons by pace, engagement and challenge. We aim to make every learning experience an enjoyable one too. As a result of the length of lessons, students can engage in deeper learning experiences and have more opportunities for one-to-one support from their teachers.
A high emphasis is placed upon English and Mathematics. In Years 7 and 8 these lessons are taught as back-to-back fifty minute lessons and are taught on the first lesson of each day. Setting takes place from Year 7 through to Year 11.
Accelerating learning for the most able
For the most able students we have created an accelerated group in Years 7 and 8 that has a different curriculum model with even greater emphasis upon foreign languages, history and geography.
At The Deanes we believe that all students need to undertake work that will challenge their intellect, broaden their perspectives and stimulate their interest. Nowhere is this truer than with students who are very able. We have a dedicated senior member of staff who focuses on our most able students. Students are also assigned to a mentor who monitors their academic progress and offers motivational support, as well as organizing enrichment events at Russell Group universities for example.
Furthermore, Our Beyond the Curriculum Programme for the most able students in KS3 brings fresh new challenges outside the school day and gives opportunity for enhanced qualifications. We are particularly excited by the fact that The Deanes School is accredited by the Children’s University. Students, through participation in various events, build points towards a degree from the university.
“Partnerships to support the education and well-being of students are outstanding†(Ofsted, 2012)
In order to ensure that every child at least achieves their potential, we place a high value on our partnerships with parents. In addition to parents’ evenings, we also provide half-termly progress reports to ensure that every child is being closely monitored regarding their progress.
We encourage parents to participate in our regular Parent Voice Meetings with the Headteacher and senior members of staff. In addition, we have a strong and dynamic P.T.A. that has raised thousands of pounds for the school over the years as well as supporting the school’s own charity fund raising events.
Our pastoral care team is first class and truly committed to ensuring the well-being of every child. The pastoral team is proactive in communicating with parents; this supports our family ethos.
Inspiring the next generation through sport
“The school’s specialism in sport is having a highly positive impact on raising attainment, as well as improving the health of students and bringing the community togetherâ€. Ofsted 2012
The Deanes School has been awarded the highest status possible in School Sport by receiving the Youth Sport Trust ‘Gold Award’. This award, received in June 2012, is part of a national scheme which is received by very few schools to date. This is in recognition of the outstanding work our school is doing in developing P.E. and School Sport, both at The Deanes School and for our local community.
Our ‘sport for all’ philosophy allows all students the opportunity to enjoy sport. This includes timetabled lessons and extra-curricular clubs and activities. The Deanes School has built an enviable reputation of delivering high quality P.E. to all students, offering a wide and varied range of sports on the curriculum including: the traditional activities such as Football, Rugby, Netball and Athletics and also a chance to learn and try other activities such as Handball, Tennis, Badminton, Trampolining, Archery and Gymnastics.
As a direct result of the success in recent years of partnerships, The Deanes School is now the lead school in Essex for the development of Leadership, Volunteering and Coaching opportunities for young people and has recently been identified as a national hub-site for the expansion of cycling for young people and Bikeability delivery.
The Castle Point and Rochford School Sports Partnership, based at The Deanes School, is widely recognised as one of the most influential and strongest organisations of its’ kind in the Country and as a result now offers advice to other areas, with a consultation role through the Youth Sport Trust.
Children from the ages of 4 through to 18 enjoy activities, festivals, competitions and coaching in sports ranging from Tag Rugby to Gymnastics, Badminton and Mini Olympic events.
A further aspect of The Deanes School’s commitment to community sport is the extremely successful ‘Deanes Sports Centre’. This is a community Sports Centre providing community access through club lettings, coaching programmes and holiday activities during the hours out of school.
