Principal's Welcome

At The de Ferrers Academy we strive to inspire through the delivery of a 'World Class' education ensuring that every student achieves their potential - at times, 'Whether they want to or not'. We aspire to be a beacon of excellence within the community we serve where everyone feels valued, included and proud.

Following on from 10 years as a specialist Technology College, de Ferrers became an Academy in January 2011. It has grown into a large, split-site, co-educational institution catering for the full range of students from ages 11-18. In 2015 de Ferrers became the first school of The de Ferrers Trust (a Multi Academy Trust).

There are over 2400 students on roll, including an expanding Sixth Form of over 450 , and each Year 7 entry since 1985 has been oversubscribed.

The three campuses are less than three kilometres apart and the Academy day is punctuated by breaks, which allow time for travel between sites.

Years 7-8 are taught on the Dove Campus, situated in Harehedge Lane, Years 9-11 on the Trent Campus, in St Mary's Drive and Years 12-13 at our state of the art Sixth Form Centre in the town centre. This allows students to gain all the advantages and opportunities available in a large Academy and also helps them to familiarise themselves with amenities on one campus, in the first instance. There are specialist rooms and equipment on each campus.

Excellent funding has allowed the Academy to enhance resources and equipment and widely promote the use of new technologies. There are digital projectors and flat screen TVs in all curriculum areas with over 500 computers and laptops across all sites. All campuses are covered by a managed wireless WiFi system, with a fast 1GB broadband link between them.

In 2012, the Academy became the first school in Staffordshire to provide all sixth form students with access to a personal 1:1 iPad for use in lessons and at home. Currently, all students in Years 9  to 13 (Trent and Sixth Form Campuses) have their own iPad, as well as all teaching staff and most support staff. The Academy became an Apple Regional Training Centre in 2013 and in 2015, 2017 and 2021 it was awarded status as an Apple Distinguished School (*for outstanding leadership and use of learning technology).

The Academy is also a member of the East Midlands Chamber Schools, National Forest Teaching School Alliance and works closely with The University of Nottingham on Initial Teacher Training.

Mrs A Bickle, Executive Principal