The Deanery: Parent gives insight on failing Swindon school

The Deanery CE Academy opened in 2019, costing £25m and promised to be “exceptional” and help students “live life in all its fullness.”

But four-and-a-half years later, the Wichelstowe secondary has been deemed inadequate by Ofsted in its damaging report that criticised several areas including communication.

Parent Michelle Duffey has one child who has attended the school for a year and believes there are significant issues.The Deanery received its first-ever Ofsted report recently.

“There are massive communication problems with the parents as we are left in the dark on a lot of things,” she revealed.

“Things would be discussed at meetings but then they are never followed through.

“It is rare that the school actually informs parents about children’s attendance and I didn’t even know who my daughter’s tutor was until the fifth week of school.

“I continuously asked who her tutor was but was ignored with no response issued for ages.”

The school is one of Swindon's newest, opening in 2019.

The 44-year-old mum is a specialist in behavioural management, working in a local specialist needs school and has 15 years of experience working with challenging behaviours.

She has offered to help the school with her career expertise and experience but this was not taken on board.

“I have been involved as a parent and stepped in, making the school aware of what I do as I profession,” said Michelle.

“I offered help and advice but none of it has really been taken on board as far as I can see.

“But I work in this field and know how hard it is if you’re understaffed and we do struggle in this career, it’s backbreaking.”

READ MORE: £25m school’s damning Ofsted report 'incredibly disappointing'

The new Swindon school cost £25m. (Image: Dave Cox)

But Michelle blames wider societal issues for the problems affecting children at this school on Peglas Way, rather than the staff.

“Our generation of children have everything at their fingertips and don’t think that they need to wait for anything,” she said.

“That’s not the children’s fault, that’s ours for giving them technology and we haven’t adjusted, meaning the curriculum does not reflect this.

“This is a societal issue and not to be blamed on any particular individual member of staff.”

READ MORE: Major £25m academy in Wichelstowe prepares to open its doors

Inside the doors at the failing secondary school.

Ofsted’s report claimed that pupils do not understand that homophobic or racist comments are unacceptable and that they are not receiving an adequate education.

Michelle, a qualified SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), pitched several solutions to the school but despite these being appreciated, they were not implemented.

“I suggested that I go in and train the staff with autism and ADHD training and as a result, how to deal with that in the classroom but this was not put in place,” she added.

“As a parent, you put your child first and I believe that my daughter deserves the best but I don’t think that she is receiving that.

“It makes me so angry, upset and frustrated and this constant fight to improve the conditions for my daughter, the children and the staff is exhausting.

“Happy children make happy staff and the cycle continues. It is not rocket science.”

The school requires urgent improvement according to Ofsted.

Michelle has argued that her changes need to be implemented at the school for it to stand any chance of improving.

“I do not wish to destroy the school any further but we need to make the necessary changes and improve it,” she said.

“The school needs help as this is an awful report and I hope that it will be altered now that the wider public knows about this.

“I believe that schools cannot make any relevant changes until they start making those relationships with the students to ensure they feel safe.”

The Adver has approached The Deanery and the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust for comment.