Waddesdon Church of England School

Identified by OfSTED and SIAMS as "Outstanding"

"Naturally, pupils and Sixth Formers love coming here and are inspired to achieve."  (OfSTED, Dec. 2021)

Waddesdon Church of England School is a co-educational, 11-18 secondary school with Academy status. We describe ourselves as an all ability school with soul, and value the socio-emotional development of our young people as much as their academic excellence. There are just over 1,000 students on roll, of whom 300 are in the Sixth Form. In December 2021, the school was judged to be “Outstanding” in all areas. In the 2018  Section 48 Inspection (SIAMS) Waddesdon was also judged to be "Outstanding" in every category, with the quality of relationships within the school community being particularly celebrated.

Waddesdon is a small, attractive village with a population of around 2,000, situated on the main A41 road six miles to the west of Aylesbury. It is perhaps best known for Waddesdon Manor, former home of the Rothschild family, now owned by the National Trust.

The school itself is situated on a beautiful, open site on the edge of the Waddesdon Estate. We have a five form entry and an admission number of 140 each year. Over the past few years the Sixth Form has grown substantially, with many students choosing to join us from a wide range of neighbouring educational establishments. Young people of all faiths and none are all equally welcome; we pride ourselves on being an inclusive community.

The importance of high achievement in all aspects of school life is recognised, as is the need for a caring, compassionate and happy community. The atmosphere in the school is friendly and informal, but also orderly and disciplined. School uniform is worn by the students to a very high standard. The school values and ethos promote exemplary behaviour; spiritual, moral, cultural and social skills; high academic attainment and an atmosphere where dignity and respect are shown to all.

The Governors of Waddesdon are keen to appoint well qualified, dedicated staff to all posts within the school. It is an excellent place to work, full of good will and good humour.

VISION STATEMENT

We believe that the purpose of education is to enable all people to flourish individually and collectively so that they live a life of value. As a community, we strive to achieve these aims, believing genuinely and unequivocally in the capacity and potential of every child.

Our ethos is rooted and grounded in the Christian values of love, compassion, kindness and inclusion which foster dignity and respect for all. Students tell us that they feel safe at Waddesdon School. Self-confidence, self-belief and agency are nurtured through praise, encouragement, acknowledgement of success and celebration of achievement.

Our vibrant and positive culture enables our students to fulfil their potential as self-disciplined, responsible and productive citizens who are proud to claim that they are a part of the Waddesdon tradition, the 'Waddesdon Way'.

Standards and expectations are high and learning is developed through a broad range of engaging and rich educational opportunities. We are a dedicated and motivated community which enables our students to work hard and achieve highly.  However, our school cannot simply be measured by our outstanding outcomes alone; it is also measured by the development and character of our young people.

SAFEGUARDING The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Matthew Abbott

Headteacher