Best Practice

Case Study: Tackling the effects of deprivation

Barton Hill Academy has a range of provision and strategies to support its pupils, not least those from deprived backgrounds. Jane Young, Jim Piper and Angela Farrell explain

By striving to match or exceed the best academic standards and practice, we are realising our vision for educational excellence in a community with some of the most extreme multiple deprivation in Devon (among the highest 10 per cent for the whole country).

Our vision stems from a desire to be an engine of opportunity for our disadvantaged families by creating an oasis for the children. This should include outstanding learning environments, cutting-edge resources, reflective teaching driven by top-quality CPD, and the highest expectations.

Despite positive Ofsted judgements, accelerated progress and rising standards, the process of academisation in 2012 in the school’s socio-economic context required the senior leader to restore staff belief and self-esteem. That context needed to become the school’s moral purpose and driving force, supported by our multi-academy trust, AET.

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