Dovery Academy Leighton Buzzard: New Trust invests to transform school community

Forest School, Art and Music remain at the heart of the broader curriculum

With a new Trust now running the show and a new Head of School in place, Dovery Academy is already going in the right direction.

Offering education for up to 150 pupils, from three-year-olds up to Y4, it was held in high regard by the community, having been rated ‘Outstanding’ previously. However, the Ofsted blow in 2021 lead to the local council putting some extra measures in place, leaving it in limbo for a year, until forward-thinking Knowledge Schools Trust took it over.

A personal connection

The new ELS phonics programme will make a massive difference to reading attainment

And one of the first appointments the Trust made was new Head of School Sarah Cavender, a highly experienced educator with a very close connection to Dovery, who was the perfect fit.

She said: “When the job advert came up I just knew I wanted to come here to work. My four children attended this school, and I was chair of the PTA here for some time. I know this school, and wanted to be part of its transformation and to restore the trust of the community and rebuild the reputation.”

Sarah says she and her now adult children have very fond memories of an excellent education at Dovery, including Forest School – where muddy lessons and cooking in the great outdoors were firm favourites, while guitar, drum and piano lessons added to the upbeat vibe, as children are taught to love school, and learning itself.

Sarah has spent her career in primary schools, specialising in supporting children with special educational needs; a speciality that will enable the school to provide effective support to SEND pupils.

As the Phonics and English Lead, Sarah brings with her an enthusiasm for reading. She enjoys her weekly meetings with each class in the library, where they discuss books they have enjoyed reading.

The Trust’s vision

Suzie Hobart, chair of the Trust, said: “The Knowledge Schools Trust (KST) is delighted to welcome Dovery Academy to our growing group of excellent primary schools. We look forward to working with the school and supporting staff to ensure all children get the best possible education.

“Building on the success of our existing three Ofsted Outstanding primary schools in London, we welcomed Edlesborough Primary Academy, seven miles from Dovery Academy, to the Trust, it's been wonderful to see how quickly and comprehensively the school community embraced changes and the rapid improvement in outcomes.

Dovery Academy is already going in the right direction

“I am confident our highly skilled primary improvement team, led by Laura Lund will work hand-in-hand with Sarah Cavender, the new Head of School, and the staff to drive similar improvement.”

Sarah added: “The Trust has introduced Essential Letters and Sounds, a systematic synthetic phonics programme, which helps children to read well, quickly. We’ve also embedded the Trust’s Primary Knowledge Curriculum, giving children the bedrock of key knowledge to allow them to develop into successful learners.

“I have faith that we will rebuild our community as we are a school that really wants the best for children, where every child will be nurtured and taught well.”

Find out more about the school’s facilities, and how you can apply for a place for your child at www.doveryacademy.org.