News
Celebrations for GCSE students' exam successes
There was excitement in the air as students from Queen Katharine Academy, Thomas Deacon Academy and Richard Barnes Academy collected their GCSE results, with many exceptional individual successes and achievements to celebrate.
Scott Hudson, Chief Executive, TDET, said: “Once again, our GCSE students have made us incredibly proud with their brilliant exam results. It has been wonderful to see their progress and development, not only over the past two years but throughout their secondary education despite the significant levels of disruption they have experienced. For them to reap the rewards of their hard work and commitment to their studies is great to see.
“Our Trust values include Excellence and Transformation, values which can certainly be applied to our students’ successes today as they enhance their future aspirations and career goals.
“I’d like to thank our passionate and enthusiastic teaching and support staff across the Trust’s senior academies, who positively impact our young people’s lives and enable them to reach their full potential.
“We look forward to welcoming many of our students back in September to our excellent Sixth Forms and, for those who are departing, we’d like to wish them well for a bright and successful future.”
Some of the Trust’s top performing GCSE students include:
Thomas Deacon Academy
Mamoon Noor, who was awarded seven Grade 9s and one Grade 8.
Jasmina Farag, who achieved six Grade 9s and two Grade 7s.
Omama Zia, who attained a Distinction Star, four Grade 9s, two Grade 8s and a Grade 7.
Muhammed Gaibee, who achieved three Grade 9s and five Grade 8s.
Olivia Tekeli, who was awarded four Grade 9s, three Grade 8s and a Grade 7.
Bentley Alika, who attained two Grade 9s, five Grade 8s and a Grade 7.
Queen Katharine Academy
Travis Bendall, who attained 9 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Maths, as well as Grade 8 in Physics and Grade 7 in History, English Literature, Chemistry and Art.
Yana Chamapiwa, who attained 10 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Biology, as well as Grade 8 in Physics, Maths, English Language and Chemistry and Grade 7 in Spanish and English Literature.
Sanaya Weerasuriya, who attained 10 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in English Literature, as well as Grade 8 in Physics and Grade 7 in History, Sociology, Chemistry and Biology.
Rhys Westley, who attained 10 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Physics, as well as Grade 8 in Maths and Grade 7 in History, Sociology, Chemistry and English Language.
Martyna Zwierzynska, who attained 11 GCSEs including a Grade 9 in Polish, as well as Grade 8 in English Literature and Art and Grade 7 in Biology and Grade 6 in Physics, Maths, Computer Science and Chemistry.
Richard Barnes Academy
Richard Barnes Academy is an Alternative Provision setting, based across two campuses in Peterborough. It works with students who are unable to access mainstream education, educating and raising aspirations of young people from the ages of 4 to 18.
Our students all follow different learning pathways which are suited to their academic level, and our brilliant teaching and support teams work with immense enthusiasm and dedication to inspire our students and ensure they are able to reach their potential. Our students have achieved some fantastic results and there have been many well-deserved individual successes.
Students champion eco-friendly solutions at TDET Sustainability Conference
Primary and secondary students all enjoyed a fantastic, interactive day, focusing on the themes of energy and waste. Together, they developed actionable campaigns to improve energy consumption and waste management habits within their academies. The conference featured workshops led by local organisations PECT, Viridor, Jumped Up Theatre, and Veolia.
The students experienced hands-on workshops that included virtual reality (VR) experiences, transporting them to Viridor’s energy recovery plant, Milan’s vertical forest, and underwater ecosystems. In Jumped Up Theatre’s sessions, students explored the impact of climate change by taking on different roles and identifying practical actions they could take to make a difference. During the afternoon sessions, students collaborated within their academy groups to plan campaigns aimed at driving positive environmental changes within their schools.
Kate Hall, one of TDET’s trustees and founder of Jumped Up Theatre, whose team attended the event, said: “Innovative events such as the Sustainability Conference highlight why TDET is such a vital asset to our region. The Trust, which educates more than 5,000 students throughout Cambridgeshire, does so much to empower the young people it serves, providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and tackle real-world challenges. These young people engaged passionately with sustainability at the conference which was really inspiring. Their ideas and enthusiasm remind us that they are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the change-makers of today.”
Adam Stevens, TDET Director of Resources, added: “This year’s conference was a great success. The interactive workshops and collaborative activities ensured that our students enjoyed a fantastic day, as well as leaving equipped with practical ideas to implement in their academies.
“Thank you to the representatives from PECT, Viridor, Jumped Up Theatre, and Veolia, who played a huge part in inspiring the students and making today’s event a success. Working in partnership with local and national organisations dedicated to environmental progress is vital to progressing TDET’s sustainability ethos, and events like this encourage our students to be part of the solution.”
As well as engaging our 5,000 students in our sustainability drive, we are proud to continue our commitment to the environment through central Trust initiatives such as installing low-energy LEDs across all academies and switching energy supplies to renewable tariffs, reducing carbon emissions by 350 metric tonnes annually. Find out more about the Trust's sustainability work in our video below:
TDET celebrates unique history at Peterborough Cathedral service
A commemorative service to honour the historical figures of Thomas Deacon and Queen Katharine of Aragon took place on Tuesday 11 February.
The annual event is an opportunity to honour the Trust’s local history. Thomas Deacon, a local wealthy wool merchant, bequeathed funds in 1722 to open Deacon’s Charity School in Peterborough for twenty pupils. More than 300 years later, this school is now Thomas Deacon Academy (TDA) and part of a Trust made up of seven academies, educating more than 5,000 students.
Queen Katharine Academy, based in the Walton area of Peterborough, is the namesake of Queen Katharine of Aragon, an early ambassador for education. Peterborough Cathedral is home to memorial sites for both historical figures.
TDET’s prestigious annual service was attended by students, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) from the Trust’s academies, key members of staff, and representatives from the charity Thomas Deacon Foundation, which works to continue Thomas Deacon’s legacy.
The service, led by Canon Precentor, Dr Rowan Williams, included a presentation about Thomas Deacon and his achievements from two pupils from Gladstone Primary Academy, and readings from TDA junior pupils, its Principal Students and Principal, Emily Gaunt.
A reading about the Trust’s founder was also given by John Turner, Chair of Thomas Deacon Foundation, before the CCF was brought to attention to lay a wreath on Thomas Deacon’s memorial.
The second part of the service included readings around Queen Katharine’s memorial from QKA’s Head Student and Rick Carroll, Acting Principal of Queen Katharine Academy, before a pomegranate, Queen Katharine’s personal emblem, was laid on her burial place.
Scott Hudson, TDET Chief Executive, said: “It is always an honour to pause and reflect on our Trust’s local history, and Thomas Deacon’s determination to transform the lives of young people in our city through education.
“We are extremely proud that Thomas Deacon’s legacy has continued and evolved into the TDET of today, which educates more than 5,000 students. We were also delighted to welcome representatives from Thomas Deacon Foundation charity to the service, including Richard Jackson, a descendant of Thomas Deacon. The Foundation does an amazing job of continuing this legacy by supporting current students.”
“Queen Katharine of Aragon was an early ambassador for education, pioneering relief programmes and donating funds to colleges, as well as displaying extraordinary courage and resilience, qualities which are as relevant to our students now as they were hundreds of years ago. It is wonderful to mark the local history of our academies and Trust with this impressive annual event.”
For more information about Thomas Deacon Education Trust and its academies, please visit: www.tdet.education.
Thomas Deacon Education Trust (TDET) demonstrated its commitment to educational excellence with a pioneering staff conference on Monday 6 January, at Queen Katharine Academy.
The event focused on TDET's bespoke new Pedagogy Model, which has been developed by senior staff across the Trust to set a standardised framework for the theory, method and practices used by its teaching staff.
The conference brought together approximately 400 educators from across TDET's diverse range of seven academies. The focus for the conference was ‘Assessment and Adaptation’ and it included a range of insightful keynote sessions, enabling Trust teaching staff to further embed the Pedagogy Model which was launched in July 2024.
The first keynote session at the conference was delivered by Henry Sauntson, a senior leader in the education sector, with a discussion on formative assessment as a diagnostic tool for adaptive practice. He was followed by Alex Quigley, from the Education Endowment Foundation, who introduced the concept of adaptation in teaching, emphasising its importance in enhancing student learning. Dr Pippa Busch, a Child and Educational Psychologist, concluded the presentations with practical strategies that teachers can implement in their classrooms to support students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Sarah Judge, TDET Pedagogy Lead and the driving force behind the event, said: “Today's sessions were not just informative; they were truly energising! Each speaker brought a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas that sparked meaningful discussions among colleagues.
“Our focus today was on using effective assessment and adaptation methods. The child is at the centre of our Pedagogy Model, and these methods provide a framework to ensure that every single child’s learning needs are met.
“It was exciting to see all Trust teaching staff so engaged and we have received some excellent feedback about the conference from staff so far, with 97 per cent of attendees committing to using strategies from the conference in their own classroom practice.”
TDET operates seven academies throughout Cambridgeshire, with the multi-academy trust dedicated to raising educational aspirations and outcomes for its 5,000 pupils. The event also provided opportunities for networking, reflection on current practices, and exploration of enhancement strategies. Staff also took part in directed sessions at their respective schools in the afternoon, allowing for immediate application of the morning's learning.
Scott Hudson, Chief Executive of TDET, said: “We are delighted with the success of our bespoke Pedagogy Model, since its launch in July. Developed by our Trust, for our Trust, our innovative and standardised pedagogical approach reflects our commitment to providing world-class education for more than 5,000 pupils across our seven academies.
“At TDET, we believe in the unity of purpose that drives our mission: Trust, Diversity, Excellence and Transformation. Our training conference is a perfect example of how we put these values into action. By focusing on collaboration and innovation, we empower our educators to share best practices and adapt their teaching strategies, ensuring that every student can thrive.”
Thomas Deacon Academy Receives Glowing Ofsted Report
Staff and students at Thomas Deacon Academy are celebrating after receiving an extremely positive Ofsted report following an inspection on 12 and 13 November 2024. The academy, which caters to students from Year 3 through to Year 13, was rated 'Good' across all areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and Sixth Form provision.
Inspectors praised the academy, located in central Peterborough, for its welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated. As one of the largest all-through schools in the country, it caters to 2,308 students aged 7 to 19 and includes a sizeable sixth form. They noted that students benefit from a curriculum that builds on their knowledge, allowing them to deepen their understanding of important concepts over time. The report highlighted the academy’s ambition for its pupils, stating that most achieve well and are well-prepared for their next stage of education or employment.
The inspection found that teachers possess strong subject knowledge and adapt their teaching effectively to meet the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The report commended the academy’s prioritisation of reading, ensuring that students at the earliest stages of learning to read receive the necessary support to become fluent readers.
Thomas Deacon Academy's emphasis on character building through its 'six C's' curriculum - commitment, compassion, courtesy, curiosity, confidence, and courage - was particularly noted. Students benefit from a rich personal development programme, including activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force.
Students also benefit from exceptional facilities within their expansive 43-acre campus. These include a Norman Foster-designed academy building and a purpose-built Key Stage 2 building, as well as an excellent Sixth Form Study Centre and expansive playing fields and sporting facilities.
The report also identified some areas for improvement. These include ensuring all teachers assess pupil knowledge effectively so all lessons build on their prior learning, and enhancing the academy’s communications systems for parental engagement, to make these processes clearer.
Principal, Emily Gaunt, shared her pride in the academy, saying: "We are incredibly proud of this Ofsted report, which reflects the hard work and passion of our staff and students. Our goal has always been to ensure that each student acquires the necessary knowledge, skills and character to make a positive contribution to society and ‘thrive’ as a global citizen."
Scott Hudson, TDET Chief Executive, added: "This excellent report is a significant milestone for our entire school community. It highlights not just our dedication to academic excellence but also our focus on character development. At Thomas Deacon Education Trust, we believe in equipping our students with the skills and values they need to thrive, and this report showcases that vision in action."
Emily concluded: "While we celebrate this extremely positive report, we remain committed to continuous improvement and have some exciting upcoming initiatives that will help us build on our strengths and continue our mission to ensure all our students receive the highest quality education and the best start in life."
The full report can be found here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/28/135263
For more information about Thomas Deacon Academy, visit: www.thomasdeaconacademy.com.