Mark Talbot
Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust CEO
20 January 2022
We are delighted to announce that St Francis Catholic and Church of England Academy received a ‘good’ Ofsted judgement following their two-day inspection in November. This was particularly impressive as the school jumped two Ofsted judgements…
19 November 2021
Many congratulations to the staff and children at St Leonards Church of England Academy which has recently been judged to be a ‘Good’ school for the first time in its Ofsted history. The report included: “Children…
12 November 2021
Children at Christ Church have been making poppies throughout the week to display in school and in Church. They have been learning about different coloured poppies and what they represent and all took part in…
DCAT’s KS2 progress scores are above average in all areas. They put DCAT in the top 20% of all Trusts nationally and 2nd out of all Church of England Trusts.
From January 2020, the school is now part of a different Multi Academy Trust, DCAT, a Church Trust that has a strong proven track record of improving education for children. We are confident that the historic under performance is a thing of the past and we look forward to working with our new family of schools to improve the quality of education for the children in our care.
St Columba – Headteacher comment to the local newspaper
We converted on February 1st 2020 (only 7 weeks before lockdown in the UK). Prior to conversion and during the first 7 weeks, I met key personnel from DCAT. Each meeting was purposeful in helping me to understand the person’s role, share information and begin to form a relationship, so that at a later date I knew who to approach when I needed specific advice or information. I met the other Headteachers within DCAT and begin to learn about the peer review process that we would be able to participate in. I received a school visit from the Head of Improvement. DCAT documents relating to academy development plans were shared with me but there was no pressure to change documents which I already had in place to DCAT ones part way through an academic year. I felt that my workload was considered in this.
St John’s Meads – written feedback from the Headteacher to a governing body considering joining DCAT
In addition to learning about The March and ‘academisation’ more generally, I was struck most forcibly by what they both (Headteacher and Chair of Governors) had to say from their respective positions about their own school’s the Trust’s schools relationship with DCAT. They are unstinting in their praise of the tremendous support DCAT provides – responsive, positively challenging, professional and enriching – far-outstripping what the LEA previously did. They attribute this in no small part to the outstanding leadership you provide and to the excellent engagement they have with other Executive Leaders – both were most particular about this, what they said was not mere blandishment.
The March – extracts from Headteacher feedback given to a new Trustees joining the Trust Board
I know I said it yesterday, but I wanted to put it down on an email, a HUGE thank you for all of your guidance, help and support. I appreciate as an academy trust, this all forms part of your responsibility, but I can honestly say, I feel like you go above and beyond to support us all, which has resulted in our pupils getting one of the best starts possible in their educational journey, which will lay the foundation for all the trials they will face in later life.
Christ Church – email sent from Chair of Governors following Ofsted
We both feel very supported by DCAT – who were on hand throughout the two days to support us all. We have just heard from Chair of the Board who sent us his best wishes and congratulations – it was lovely to hear from him.
Christ Church – an extract from an email from the Co-Headteachers sent to the Trust following Ofsted
The multi-academy trust (MAT) has a firm hand on the school. Senior leaders in the MAT closely monitor the school to ensure that pupils are safe and making progress.
Ofsted, 2019
The work of the MAT has been key in supporting leaders to improve outcomes for pupils
Ofsted, 2018
The school benefits from DCAT support for financial and personnel matters, freeing leaders to focus on the quality of education provided
Ofsted, 2018
Governors appreciate the guidance they receive from officers of the MAT
Ofsted, 2018
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" title="Christ Church CE Primary & Nursery Academy"/>
" title="Hurst Green CE Primary School & Nursery"/>
" title="Northiam C of E Primary School"/>
" title="St Blasius Shanklin C of E Primary Academy"/>
" title="St Catherine’s College"/>
" title="St Columba CE Primary School"/>
" title="St Francis Catholic & Church of England Academy"/>
" title="St James’ CE Primary Academy"/>
" title="St John’s Meads CE Primary School"/>
" title="St Joseph’s Infant School"/>
" title="St Joseph’s CE Junior School"/>
" title="St Leonards CE Primary School"/>
" title="St Paul’s CE Academy"/>
" title="Sedlescombe CE Primary School"/>
" title="The March CE Primary School"/>