The Ilfracombe Academy Leads the Way in Tackling Disadvantage in Education

The Ilfracombe Academy, part of the Athena Learning Trust, has proudly hosted a regional disadvantage conference, welcoming school leaders, teachers, and education specialists from across the South West to share strategies, insights, and real-world success stories in supporting disadvantaged students.

Held on site at The Ilfracombe Academy, the event began with a warm welcome and student-led greetings, followed by classroom tours and presentations showcasing best practice in English, Maths, and behaviour strategies. Delegates observed real-time learning in classrooms, gaining valuable insight into the systems and culture that have driven significant student progress at the school. 

The conference also featured key contributions from the Devon School Improvement Network and case studies from The Ilfracombe Academy and other schools showing remarkable gains in student outcomes. The Ilfracombe Academy itself has seen a remarkable turnaround, with its Progress 8 score rising from -0.54 to +0.48 between 2023 and 2024.  A Progress 8 score is a way to measure how much progress a student makes during secondary school. Schools are judged on the average Progress 8 score of all their students, helping to show how well the school supports learning and improvement for every child, regardless of ability.

The event concluded with a blended afternoon session of networking, national updates, and further school-led presentations, reinforcing the collective commitment to evidence-based approaches and inclusive excellence. With over 30 places filled by educators across the region, the day demonstrated the power of collaboration and the importance of sharing what works to close the attainment gap and transform lives.

Mr Steve Rogers, Headteacher at The Ilfracombe Academy said:

"At Ilfracombe Academy, we are relentless in our focus on improving life chances for every student, especially those facing disadvantage. Hosting this conference has been a real privilege. It’s about collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to equity. Together, we can achieve extraordinary outcomes."