The Dukeries Academy, located in New Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on October 12 and 13, 2021. The school fosters an inclusive culture, evident from the welcoming Rainbow Road that students cross upon entering. Staff members are dedicated to understanding and supporting students, contributing to a safe and exciting learning environment. The new principal and leadership team have established high expectations for student behavior, which has led to improvements in conduct and a conducive atmosphere for learning across all lessons.
The curriculum at Dukeries Academy is ambitious and designed to provide students with powerful knowledge, which is one of its six foundational pillars. This approach has resulted in a broader range of academic subjects being offered to students. The school actively educates pupils about bullying, and students report that incidents are infrequent. They feel confident in addressing any concerns, knowing that teachers will respond promptly.
Extracurricular activities are an integral part of the school experience, with students participating in various extended curriculum sessions that allow them to explore interests beyond academics, such as choir, gardening, and learning Japanese. The school has made significant strides in identifying essential knowledge across many subjects, particularly in English, geography, and mathematics, where this knowledge is taught explicitly. However, some subjects are still in the process of developing this approach, which affects students' ability to recall and apply important concepts.
The curriculum is being systematically integrated across all year groups, with English demonstrating coherent planning that results in students exhibiting detailed knowledge. In contrast, subjects like science are still evolving, leading to gaps in knowledge retention for students in key stage four. To address this, school leaders are ensuring that critical topics are revisited to reinforce understanding.
Teachers at Dukeries Academy possess strong subject knowledge and employ effective strategies to assess students' prior knowledge. This practice is particularly successful in subjects like geography, where misconceptions are addressed before progressing. However, in subjects such as history, clarity regarding the specific knowledge to be taught is lacking, which hampers effective teaching.
Support for students with special educational needs and disabilities is a priority, with teachers adapting their methods and utilizing teaching assistants effectively. This ensures that all students have access to the same ambitious curriculum. Literacy and reading have been prioritized, with interventions in place to enhance students' reading fluency and exposure to diverse authors and texts.
The Extend, Enrich, and Prepare program supports students' broader development, allowing them to engage in activities of their choice and receive career guidance before graduation. The sixth form curriculum equips students with in-depth knowledge in their subjects, leading to increased university admissions. Students report that teachers are instrumental in their success, fostering independence and the ability to engage with complex ideas.
Staff members express pride in working at Dukeries Academy, citing effective leadership and management that considers their workload and well-being. The trust overseeing the school maintains a clear understanding of its strengths and areas for improvement, enabling effective support and challenge for school leaders.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with a strong culture of safety embedded within the school. Staff receive regular training on safeguarding issues, and students are educated on how to stay safe, including online. The designated safeguarding lead maintains accurate records and collaborates with external agencies to support at-risk students.
While the school has made commendable progress, there are areas for improvement. The new curriculum needs to be fully embedded across all subjects to ensure that students can build on their knowledge over time. Additionally, leaders must identify the most critical knowledge and concepts in all subjects to enhance students' understanding of complex ideas. Overall, Dukeries Academy continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing a quality education for its students.
