schools in focus CASE STUDY
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running schools – it’s not rocket science. it’s a simplistic idea of improving results and changing attitudes. that’s what we do.
colleagues who were already here to develop and change the attitude and ethos of the school.”
Slater is particularly proud of the building and believes that creating such an inspiring space was equally important in developing the school’s positive ethos and encouraging a proactive approach to learning. “we’ve been nominated for a riBA award for the building and i believe it is quite beautiful and it was built along the grammar school lines – we’ve got a central courtyard, we’ve got colonnades and there is a lot of brickwork – which is deliberate,” he says. One of the Great twelve City livery Companies, the Drapers’ Company has a reputation for longevity and buildings with character and a traditional feel, which Slater is confident the school emanates. the design also reinforces the school’s independent status. “we are quite happy to be independent; we like the choice that gives us; we like the flexibility that gives us; we like the speed at which we can change. One of the major factors of making a difference in the school – the difference to results and the difference to ethos, vision and perception – has been the speed of change management.”
INVESTING IN HAPPINESS As a sponsored academy, Drapers’ gets support from its two sponsors in different ways. “the Drapers’ Company put £2m into a trust fund that sits alongside the academy and the academy status,” explains Slater. “the interest generated allows us to do additional things we perhaps would not normally be able to do and is part of the state funding.”the money is used to provide free music lessons for every pupil who wishes to learn an instrument and is also used to subsidise school trips, allowing children who might not normally afford to go away on residentials a chance of experiencing something new. “we’ve just had a ski trip return from France on Saturday and that was subsidised by the sponsors,” Slater says. “For our families, that gives their children the opportunity to take part in activities that if we didn’t subsidise for many of them it would be too much.”
Co-sponsor Queen Mary University also has very strong links with school and has committed to providing a university place to any of the children at Drapers, who achieves certain A-level grades. Situated just a 30-minute train ride away, this allows pupils the option of living at home and commuting in to study if they wish. the school has come a long way since its Kings,wood days –
achieving ‘good’ status from Ofsted – and Slater has high hopes for the future. “we’ve always believed we’ve had the capacity to be outstanding,” he says. “Our last Ofsted showed good overall, but outstanding for leadership and management and we are totally confident of getting outstanding across the board at the next inspection. running schools – it’s not rocket science… it’s a simplistic idea of improving results and changing attitudes. And that’s what we do.”
www.edexec.co.uk / september 2013
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