Welcome by the CEO/Executive Headteacher
Barton Court Academy Trust (BCAT) is a multi-academy Trust which was established in 2017.
We currently consist of 3 very successful secondary schools:
- Barton Court Grammar School
- The Charles Dickens School
- Barton Manor School
Barton Court Grammar School, is an 11-18yrs, mixed selective school in the heart of Canterbury, rated “Good” with many outstanding features by Ofsted in February 2020; The Charles Dickens School, an 11-16yrs mixed non-selective school in Broadstairs, rated “Good” by Ofsted in March 2023 and newly opened Barton Manor (Free) School, an 11-18 years non-selective mixed school in the heart of Canterbury which opened to Year 7 in September 2022 and now has Y7 & Y8 from September 2023.
In January 2016, Barton Court Grammar School became an Academy Sponsor and started to work with The Charles Dickens School, in Broadstairs, a School placed in Special Measures by Ofsted in September 2014. On 1 March 2017, The Charles Dickens School joined Barton Court Academy Trust and after a period of support by BCAT Trust the school came out of special measures in June 2019 and was recently rated as “Good” by Ofsted in March 2023.
The Trust worked closely with the DfE and KCC, since April 2017, to plan and design a brand new school to replace the former Chaucer school in the heart of Canterbury. This new Free School, Barton Manor School, an 11 – 18yrs non-selective mixed school opened in September 2022 to Year 7 only and now in its second year of opening has students in Year 7 and 8. As the school grows it will share Sixth Form provision with Barton Court Grammar School, focussing on vocational excellence with Barton Court focussing on academic excellence.
I have been Headteacher of all 3 schools within the Trust and therefore I know the strengths and challenges each school faces. To lead three very different, highly successful schools with an amazing team of Headteachers and dedicated staff is a joy and a privilege. We are stronger when we work together, share ideas and collaborate and our small trust allows us to do that very effectively so all students have access to high quality outstanding educational provision. All staff have access to high quality training and the Trust offers a very supportive environment within which to work where teachers, leaders and support staff are challenged to develop and grow.
We are a small Trust on a very exciting journey, with a talented team of Trustees, Governors, Headteachers, Senior Leadership, teachers and support staff all determined to provide the highest quality of educational provision to all children across the Trust.
We believe schools are stronger when they work together and have a common purpose to provide the highest standards in teaching and pupil outcomes. We promote an individual identity for each of our schools so that they continue to respond to the needs of their pupils, their families and the wider community they serve.
We work together to “improve the life chances” of all our children and young people working together through strong partnerships between staff, students, parents and Trustees/Governors that share our core values of excellence and equity
If you are interested in joining our Trust, or wish to find out more, then please do not hesitate to contact the clerk to Trustees, clerk@bartoncourt.org
Ms K Cardus
CEO/Executive Headteacher
