We took the time to sit down with Sherryl Bareham, headteacher at Dorcan Academy since September 2015, to find out a bit more about her approach to the job and what makes Dorcan different…

 

 

What motivates you as a Headteacher?

 

What motivates me is the desire to eradicate the inequalities in education. I am passionate about ensuring that all students, and in particular, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have the same entitlements as the privileged few. That is why we have the highest number of students entering for the EBacc suite of qualifications in Swindon. Our curriculum is rigorous and prepares students with the qualifications and skills required for entrance to the top universities so that they can choose this pathway if they so wish and are able to compete with their peers. We aim to offer the same type of opportunities to our students that are enjoyed by private schools without them having to pay for it. And we have a fabulous uniform at a fraction of the cost!

 

What makes the Dorcan Academy different? / Why should parents choose TDA

 

Our staff really care about our students and go above and beyond to support them to succeed. Our small school ethos means that individuals do matter here. We have a vision to become an outstanding school of first choice at the heart of our local community. That means that we are not complacent and ‘Good’ is never ‘good enough’. Our attainment and progress results continue to improve year on year and we aim for all our students to achieve exceptionally well; however, it is equally as important to us that our students develop into model citizens, of whom society can be proud, with the ability and compassion to make a difference to the communities in which they live. Our school is a happy school where students thrive due to the extensive range of opportunities available to them.

 

If you had one wish what would it be?

That the government would stop building brand new schools to serve the middle classes in affluent areas and, if they are really serious about closing the disadvantaged gap, fund new buildings for existing schools that serve disadvantaged areas.

 

The highlight of my career

There have been many but the one that stands out is when, as a music teacher, early in my career, my school choir auditioned successfully for the West End production of ‘Joseph and His amazing Technicolor dreamcoat’ and performed at the London Palladium alongside Jason Donovan and Phillip Schofield. The reason it was so special is because it was about ordinary children achieving extraordinary things. The experience is one that I and they will never forget.