Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in this post at The Dorcan Academy.
This is a very important appointment for the school and I hope that after reading the information
about our school you are not only encouraged to apply for the position, but excited by the opportunities that this post offers.
The successful applicant will work with an excellent team of teachers and support staff to further improve the standard of teaching, learning and achievement of the students at Dorcan. They will also be
supported by a thorough induction programme and membership of an outstanding body of staff.
I very much look forward to receiving your application and hope that we meet at the interviews.
Yours sincerely
Dr Scott Sissons
Head Teacher
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As Head Teacher, I am delighted to introduce you to The Dorcan Academy. We are an 11-16 school
that has thrived since becoming Swindon’s first designated specialist Technology College in 1999.
Dorcan became a Foundation School in 2009 and an Academy in 2011 and has continued to improve,
working together to raise standards and providing even better opportunities for our young people.
As a new Academy Dorcan is a place where students, staff and governors are able to ‘aspire, learn and
achieve’. Learning has always been at the heart of the school and we want all our young people as students to become independent and confident learners responsible for themselves, their environment
and others in their community. We recognise that while high academic standards are important,
broader learning skills are also essential to equip all our students for life beyond school.
The school’s culture is aspirational based on very high standards of work and behaviour and a clear focus on learning and progress for all our students. We work hard to create a safe and secure atmosphere and a high quality environment that includes the latest educational practice and innovative use of
technology. As a lead school for SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) we believe that
emotional aspects of learning are vital to each student’s success, and the school leads work in the area
in positive behaviour management. We are determined always to insist on the highest standards and
we encourage a culture of high aspirations with ‘no ceilings’ so that every student can achieve their
maximum potential and enjoy their time at school.
Dorcan has a vibrant and exciting staff with high levels of support and an ongoing programme of induction and professional development. The strong whole staff ethos sees staff as learners and recognises
the vital role that highly skilled support staff play in enabling teachers to focus on classroom excellence.
Our students benefit from a rich, diverse and challenging curriculum that provides them with significant
choice to meet their needs. Extra curricula provision is a strength of the school and we run a number
of after school clubs including intervention and Study Club.
As an innovative school we understand that partnership is a key part of our success. We know that
our parents have a crucial role in our young people’s progress as we work together to give them the
best opportunities possible. We have strong links with our five partner primary schools to ensure
excellent transition. As an Academy we continue to have links with a range of agencies, the local authority, and colleges, local business and the community and links remain strong and help support our
young people to become confident citizens and contribute to society in the future.
As a new member of staff, it would be a privilege to work and learn with you, to ensure both that you
grow and develop professionally and that our young people receive the very best opportunities for
their future.
Dr Scott Sissons
Head Teacher
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About the School
Dorcan School opened in 1970 as a purpose built community comprehensive school to serve the urban villages of
southeast Swindon. In 1999 we were the first school in Swindon to be designated as a specialist technology
college, focusing particularly on Mathematics, Sciences, Design Technologies and Information and Communications Technologies. The school has just under 900 students with 7 forms of entry.
We have a committed group of 125 highly professional staff, both specialist teachers and administrative and support staff who work hard to provide the necessary school environment for all students to learn effectively.
There is a strong support structure for all staff with performance management, staff development and the induction of new teachers seen as major priorities, this is reflected in our award of Investors in People status.
Aims
As a school we believe it is crucial to know the direction in which we are going. This has involved producing a
long-term plan based on widely discussed and agreed values.
We aspire to be an outstanding learning community:
 Accept and celebrate difference and diversity
 Structure learning to enjoy and achieve
 Personalise solutions to meet the needs of all
 Innovate in an ever-changing world
 Respect others, the environment and ourselves
 Engage and contribute positively to the community
These principles will guide us in our actions and our planning, enabling us to transform into a learning community
fit for 21st Century Learners.
High Expectations
We expect the highest standards of work and behaviour from all our students and have worked hard to establish
mutual relationships built on respect, common sense, consideration and courtesy. We have clear expectations
for our students both in and out of the classroom. As a national SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) pilot school we have developed strong and supportive relationships between staff and students, actively promoting positive attitudes and rejecting behaviour that may distress or hurt others.
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Resources and Facilities
The school is spacious with separate specialist teaching blocks surrounded by playing fields and recreational
spaces. Our large campus provides a range of outstanding learning and sport facilities, with many newly refurbished classrooms and extensive ICT facilities throughout. There are 10 science laboratories and a suite of 9
technology rooms that offer specialist equipment and resources for textiles, graphics, electronics, engineering,
resistant materials, computer aided design, computer aided manufacturing and specialist photography room.
Staff and students enjoy extensive ICT facilities with computer suites, laptops, netbooks and widespread use of
digital projectors and smart board technology. We have invested considerably in ensuring that our classrooms
represent the 21st Century and creating a learning environment which is engaging and fun. All staff are provided
with a laptop and most of the schools processes and procedures are e-based, with access to the school network via a VPN available for staff.
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
The curriculum is designed to reflect the school’s values and vision, providing breadth and choice that will enable the school to continue raising standards and help all our learners to meet the challenges of life in our fast
changing world. Our curriculum is highly innovative as noted by Ofsted.
Currently through our teaching and learning provision we seek to:
 raise achievement in all subjects, particularly in English and Mathematics
 equip learners with the personal, learning and thinking skills they need to
succeed in education, work and life
 motivate and engage learners
 enable a smooth progression from primary, through secondary and beyond
 encourage more young people to go on to further and higher education
 tailor learning to individual and local needs
 ensure that assessment supports effective teaching and learning
 provide more opportunities for focused support and challenge where needed
Keys to this approach are increased opportunities for personalisation, through provision of a modern, relevant
and engaging curriculum, employing approaches to assessment that foster learning and involvement of young
people in their learning.
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Enrichment
As a school we recognise the immense value of learning experiences beyond the formal classroom setting and
offer a wide range of extended opportunities for students to enrich their learning. The school day allows students to take part in a wide range of after school clubs and activities in many different areas of curriculum and
our Learning Centre is open and staffed until 4.30pm.
School Day
8.45
Tutor Registration
9.00
Lesson 1
10.15
Break
10.30
Lesson 2
11.45
Lunch break
12.15
Lesson 3
13.30
Break
13.45
Lesson 4
15.00
End of lessons - After school activities
Further details about life at The Dorcan Academy can be found on our website at www.dorcan.co.uk
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Achievement and Standards
The school’s focus on raising standards through improving the quality of teaching and learning has seen a steady
and sustained improvement in the achievement of students across all key indicators including reducing gaps for
pupil premium students.
2012
2013
2014
5A*-C EM
52
50
50
Eng A*-C
61
58
65
Ma A*-C
62
66
61
En Exp Progress
57
61
76
Ma Exp Progress
53
63
62
Pupil Premium
Gap
2012
2013
2014
5A*-C EM
-28
-33
-16
Eng A*-C
-27
-31
-15
Ma A*-C
-28
-25
-14
En Exp Progress
-19
-13
-10
Ma Exp Progress
-37
-27
-10
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Swindon
As one of the fastest growing towns in Europe, Swindon is experiencing rapid expansion and the diversification of its industry and economic base. Distribution services and high technology now characterize the town,
with remnants of its traditional engineering past still represented by successful car manufacturing companies.
There is a wide variety of accommodation available both within Swindon and in the immediate surrounding
countryside. Excellent communications by road and rail enable easy links with London, Oxford and Bristol.
The town has excellent shopping facilities.
The Dorcan area is on the eastern outskirts of Swindon and comprises the five urban villages called Eldene,
Covingham, Liden, Nythe and Park North. A carefully planned land use provides for a variety of domestic accommodation with convenient shopping and service facilities adjacent to industrial parks.
Living in the area
Swindon is a vibrant, modern town which has an exciting combination of cutting edge technological industry,
intertwined with a rich industrial heritage, bequeathed from its importance as the centre of The Great Western Railway and the vision of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Swindon is an area where the local economy is buoyant and the employment rate is high. Swindon is ideally located in north Wiltshire between London and Bristol and linked by major motorway and rail routes. This part of the county is very near to the border of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Swindon has easy access to railways, motorways, air links and it is easy to reach the South West, the South
Coast, the Midlands and Wales. The thriving cities of Bristol, Oxford, Bath and London are all within easy
reach. Many staff use the excellent accessibility to live outside of the town and travel to school.
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Finding us
By Road
Dorcan is conveniently located just off Junction 15 of the M4, making the surrounding areas easily accessible by car.
Bristol
39.8 miles
Oxford
29.5 miles
Bath
35.6 miles
London
81.8 Miles
By Rail
Fast and regular Inter-City services as follows: From London (Paddington) to Bath and Bristol serve
Swindon (55 mins).
Click here for Rail links to Swindon www.nationalrail.co.uk
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Safer Recruitment
The Dorcan Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young
people in the school. In order to meet this responsibility the school follows rigorous selection procedures to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.
Disclosure
This post is classified as having substantial access to children, and appointment is subject to an enhanced check of previous criminal convictions (DBS). Applicants are required, before appointment, to
disclose any conviction, caution or binding over, including ‘spent convictions’ under the Rehabilitation
of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975. Non disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar individuals from employment; this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
Shortlisting
Only candidates meeting the appropriate criteria will be taken forward from application.
Interview
Candidates will be subject to an in depth interview, which will contain aspects of planning, assessment
and observation of teaching where appropriate. Candidates will be asked to address any discrepancies,
gaps or anomalies in their application form.
References
References from the previous and current employers will be taken up for shortlisted candidates and,
where necessary, employers may be contacted to gather further information.
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