Mercia Academy

Mercia Academy in Derbyshire is situated in Newhall, Swadlincote and has approximately 600 students, aged 11-16, on roll. The Academy is currently part of the Falcon Educational Academies Trust and has been selected for the School Rebuilding Programme.

Headteacher

Jackie Cooper

Values and vision

Mercia Academy works to provide a broad, stimulating learning programme for all students and guides them as successful, confident and responsible citizens. The academy’s focus is the wellbeing and happiness of each child and it wants to ensure that good communication is kept at all times between parents, staff and students in order for this to be fulfilled. Mercia Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities for students to get involved in and learn new skills outside of the classroom, which include art and sports clubs. The school hopes to guide students as active citizens, while leadership skills are practiced through an active Student Council. The Academy holds a number of awards for its careers and inclusion work.

Ofsted

The Academy was rated Good for Quality of Education, Leadership and Management and Personal Development in May 2022. Behaviour and Attitudes, and therefore overall, are rated RI and the Academy is working on the improvement areas of attendance and punctuality. The inspection team noted that

• The curriculum is      ambitious and designed to give all pupils, including those with special      educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the knowledge they need to      succeed in life
• The school is      highly inclusive, and all feel welcome. Pupils enjoy positive relationships      with each other, and with staff
• Pupils receive      high-quality careers advice to help them make wise and ambitious decisions      about their future
• Pupils are well      prepared for life in modern Britain.

View William Allitt School’s latest Ofsted report