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Welcome to Lord Derby Academy

My name is Victoria Gowan. I am very privileged to be the Headteacher of Lord Derby Academy. Lord Derby Academy is part of the Multi-Academy Dean Trust. All schools across the Dean Trust embrace the Trust motto ‘Believe, Achieve, Succeed’. Lord Derby Academy caters to approximately 1100 pupils, aged 11-16.

At Lord Derby Academy we uphold the highest of standards. Our ethos is built on care and aspiration for our whole school community. We are fully inclusive in our outlook and we have robust pastoral systems in place. We strive to develop the character of our pupils and so we offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. Our House System and our Pupil Parliament are developing pupil leadership at all levels. We encourage our pupils to become responsible citizens, ready for life in the wider society. Our traditional curriculum has been carefully designed to match the abilities, interests and aspirations of pupils and to meet with the requirements of further education providers and employers. We operate a three- year Key Stage 3 and a two- year Key Stage 4. Pupils enjoy a wide range of subjects across both Key Stages and the majority of our pupils access the full suite of English Baccalaureate subjects at Key Stage Four. Pupils across the Dean Trust follow common learning pathways. Teaching practice at the school is founded on the pedagogical principles of Dr. Doug Lemov. At Lord Derby Academy we are unwavering in our belief in every pupil and we work tirelessly to ensure each individual child receives a quality educational experience and is set on a personal pathway to success.

The Trust was named after Brian Dean Rigby CBE in recognition of his 22 years as Chairman of Governors successfully guiding the school to four consecutive outstanding Ofsted inspections (currently five following the last inspection in April 2013), and the development of the successful federation with Broadoak School in 2006 subsequently guiding Broadoak to it’s first outstanding Ofsted inspection.

The Dean Trust is a Multi Academy Trust comprising of Ashton on Mersey School, which is led by Mr Andrew Shakos. The school is a lead Teaching School that has achieved five consecutive ‘Outstanding’ judgements with Ofsted. We are also very proud of our other secondary schools; Broadoak in Partington, which is a ‘good’ school and The Lord Derby Academy, Knowsley, a school which has seen significant change and improvement. Forest Gate Academy is a popular oversubscribed primary school which has been judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted. New additions to The Dean Trust include Dean Trust Ardwick, Park View Academy, Partington Central Academy and Blacklow Brow School. Committed to securing outcomes for all children, the Trust led by Ashton currently supports many schools in the Northwest.

What is an Academy?

Academies are publicly funded autonomous independent local schools. Academies benefit from greater freedoms to innovate and raise standards. The increase in operational autonomy is widereaching covering aspects such as teaching and learning and the operation of school business such as, delivery of contracted services.
Academies are required to follow the law and guidance on admissions, special educational needs and exclusions as if they were maintained schools.
Academies have greater freedom over how they use their budgets to best benefit their pupils.

Constitution of The Dean Trust Board

The trustees are a small group of governors (and other specialists) who take on the legal role of coordination of the educational charitable company set up to run the Multi Academy Trust. The trustees are responsible for determining the governance of all the schools within the Trust, through a written constitution.

Trustees

Mr Damian McGann (Chairman)
Mrs Sharon Bagshaw
Mrs Anna Beaumont
Mr Jonathan Bowers
Mr Paul Edwards
Mr Tarun Kapur CBE (Chief Executive)
Mr John Shiels

Associate Members

Mr Nick David (Chief Finance Officer)
Mr Barry Bridden (Academies Director)
Mr Andrew Shakos (Operations Director)
Mrs Philippa Williamson (Finance Director – Dean Trust West Hub)

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