HUGE IMPROVEMENTS AT DENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Staff and students at Denton Community College are celebrating a remarkable double success this week. Newly validated national data has confirmed that the school is one of the most improved in England for the percentage of students achieving a strong pass in GCSE English and Maths. Denton was already confirmed as the most improved school in Tameside on several measures.
Analysis of data from almost 3,000 secondary schools revealed that Denton made an extraordinary leap in just one year, with only a handful of schools nationwide showing comparable progress. Alongside this achievement, the schoolâs Progress 8 scoreâthe governmentâs measure of progress across all qualificationsâimproved by an impressive +0.41, demonstrating that the schoolâs success extends far beyond English and Maths.
Adding to this celebration, Denton Community College recently received a visit from Ofsted, which delivered some excellent feedback in its official letter. The inspectors highlighted the schoolâs substantial progress in culture, ethos, and behavior, stating:
On culture and ethos:
âThe schoolâs work to shift the culture has borne fruit. Pupilsâ consideration for others has improved. The âpraise cultureâ allows pupilsâ achievements to be celebrated. For example, many pupils are eager to show their work at âProud Tuesday.â Pupils spoke empathetically about the culture day organized to celebrate pupilsâ different heritages.â
On safety and behavior:
âPupils and staff feel safe in the school. The school has successfully dealt with pupilsâ use of discriminatory language. Behavior in lessons and around the school at social times has vastly improved. Classrooms are calm and purposeful.â
On curriculum and teaching:
âThe school has ensured that the curriculum is broad and ambitious and clearly sets out the key knowledge pupils need to learn. Classroom routines are consistently well embedded. These have helped to cultivate a positive environment for learning, and pupils respond well to them.â
The report also praised the transformative role of Northern Education Trust (NET), which Denton Community College is set to join formally:
âLeaders acknowledge that much of the change in the school has been accelerated by the external support provided by the trust. The trust has equipped the school with processes, policies, and a well-thought-out curriculum. The school is heavily supported by personnel from the trust based on-site, which has strengthened leadership capacity. Staff, parents, and pupils attribute the positive changes to this support.â
Principal Donald Cumming expressed his pride in the schoolâs achievements:
âWeâre over the moon with these results and the fantastic feedback from Ofsted. Our amazing staff and students truly deserve this recognition, and the community of Denton deserves a school it can be proud of. We look forward to continuing our improvement journey with NET.â
Dean Buckley, an Executive Principal from Northern Education Trust who oversees Denton, added:
âDenton Community College is becoming the place to be! The recent GCSE results and positive Ofsted feedback are a testament to the hard work of staff and students. Weâve also benefited greatly from the unwavering support of our parents. The NET âNORTHERNâ model of school improvement, devised by our CEO Rob Tarn, CBE, really works. The transformation at Denton in just one year is remarkable, and we couldnât be prouder.â
This success marks an exciting new chapter for Denton Community College as it continues its journey of rapid improvement, aiming to provide outstanding education and opportunities for all its students.
