THE DOVER FEDERATION FOR THE ARTS MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
"We provide as wide a framework in the sky as possible so that students and staff can fly.
This produces exciting, creative and innovative work from The Federation Family".
The Dover Federation for the Arts Multi Academy Trust (DFA MAT) provides as wide a framework in the sky so that students and staff can fly. This produces an exciting, creative and innovative environment for TheFederation Family which comprises of Astor College, White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts, Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School, Barton Junior School, PebblesNursery and KETVStudios.
All four school sites are run on a day to day basis by their Principals who are part of the Federation Leadership Team alongside the Chief Executive Officer of The Dover Federation for the Arts and Directors of Operations and Finance. There is one Board of Trustees for The DFAMAT.
Although the DFA MAT is extensive, the staff are extremely friendly, talented, committed and supportive with the ethos of a large family. It is extremely important that new staff should be able to share this style and philosophy of education.
The DFA MAT has a collaborative agreement with the Duke of York's Royal Military School (DOYRMS). Under this agreement all the schools in the Federation and the DOYRMS work closely together to maximise opportunities and benefits for students and enhance professional development opportunities for staff. The leadership teams meet together and support each other on a regular basis and the partnership continues to deliver significant benefits for staff and students at all levels.
Ofsted said "The overall effectiveness of the model of leadership, a federation of three primary schools and a secondary school with one Governing Body, is outstanding."
The DFA MAT promotes smoke free sites and is committed to "safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment". Staff are subject to Children's Barred List and Disclosure and Barring Service Checks.
Astor College is an Academy specialising in the Arts and the Military. The Arts are very strong especially in the Visual, Expressive and Performing sides. The College has approximately 1000students aged 11 to 19 including a Sixth Form with a full programme of Advanced Courses. Astor has an excellent record in public examinations which we are eager to maintain and enhance. Many students leave for University, Colleges of Art, Architecture and Education. The corporate life of the College is also very important, as is the relationship between staff and students. There is a full programme of sporting activities and fixtures. International links are wide and varied with in-depth work taking place in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, USA, Bulgaria, Turkey, Sierra Leone, Portugal, Estonia, Czech Republic and Russia. The Ofsted grade is 'good with many outstanding features'. Ofsted 2015 said "Students have a very impressive range of opportunities to develop their cultural awareness and social skills and confidence." Ofsted Monitoring 2016 said "the school is improving".
Barton Junior School is a Junior Academy with approximately 185 students aged 7to11. We have a creative curriculum which will remain focussed on the core subject areas of English and Maths but adds excitement and enjoyment to children's learning. We use the Federation to access specialist teaching and facilities. These provide our children and staff with exceptional opportunities to develop all areas of the curriculum and provide the perfect preparation for the often difficult Primary to Secondary transition. There is a full and varied programme of extra curricular activities on offer including breakfast club, various sports clubs, Artclubs and homework clubs. The Ofsted grade is 'good in every category'. Ofsted said "Barton Junior School is a community in which students feel secure and safe. This environment, together with good teaching, allows them to achieve well" and "The academy's work to keep pupils safe and secure is outstanding."
Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School is an Infant School and Nursery Academy, with approximately 230 children on roll. Children can begin in the Nursery when they are 3, move into school at age 4 and remain until they are 7 when they transfer to junior school. The Early Years provision at Shatterlocks is highly regarded across the county with children enjoying a wealth of learning experiences and opportunities, ensuring a sound basis upon which future learning can be based. Children enjoy and achieve through a lively, inclusive curriculum, which is constantly evolving to develop a lifelong love of learning. At Shatterlocks the relationship between children, staff, school and home is seen as vital to enabling all children to achieve their full potential. The Ofsted grade is 'good in every category'. Ofsted said "Pupils make good progress through their time in the school" and "Children make an outstanding start to their education in the Early Years Foundation Stage and develop a love of learning".
White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts is a Primary Academy with approximately 185students aged 4 to 11. Arts status is shared with Astor College which means that the Visual Arts are embedded within our creative curriculum. Outstanding provision for care, guidance and support for students, parents, staff and Governors (Directors) permeates the ethos of the College. The e-café is open to parents during and after College hours and provides courses, advice and a relaxed environment to 'chill out' with a coffee. Many of the children attend our wide range of clubs and extra curricular activities range from the breakfast club to a variety of sports club, film club and choir. The active College Council represent the views of the students and has implemented many improvements such as the refurbishment of the dining hall and outdoor play. Ofsted graded the school 'outstanding'. Ofsted said "The federation and the staff of White Cliffs have transformed the climate for learning in the College so that students can achieve well."
Pebbles Nursery forms part of White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts. It is a PVI and offers 21places to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. The setting is directed by a qualified and experienced Early Years teacher with highly qualified and experienced practitioners. Pebbles offers full day care and flexible sessions. The newly refurbished suite and extensive outdoor learning space provides young children with an excellent start in life. Pebbles was graded outstanding by Ofsted in September 2013. Ofsted said "The nursery prepares children exceptionally well for their move to school" and "The leadership and management of the nursery is exceptional."
Kent Educational Television (KETV) is a film and sound production company based in Dover, known for the excellence of our in house film facilities and our educational programmes, including the award winning Pilote Language Resources. It was established in Dover in 1968 and was an early government experiment in the use of television in schools. Local schools were connected to the central studio by a landline and, in those pre-video days, programmes were sent down the line at specified times for the participating schools to watch. Since then KETV has developed into a multimedia organisation and has an impressive catalogue of documentaries, short films and educational films. KETV's recent productions include a collection of adverts, a compilation of music promos for a variety of recording artists (including Mark Eteson and Novotny) and the documentary film Behind The Dance Floor featuring Judge Jules. We now look forward to producing six short film adaptations of historical novels by Anne Perry.