Nova Hreod Academy is the school of choice for many families in Swindon because they value achievement and standards in a school with a traditional ethos. Our students are smart and very well behaved and there are excellent teacher/student relationships throughout the school.

As part of United Learning, we look to bring out the best in everyone. This means teaching high quality lessons and nurturing a love of learning amongst our students.

I am always delighted when people come to visit our school and see for themselves how our teachers and students interact, how our focus on learning is brought to life and how our excellent building and facilities contribute to making this possible.

If you are excited about the prospect of a fresh challenge within an environment where effort and innovation are rewarded, come and join the revolution with a group of staff and students committed to deep and rigorous learning.

Ruth Robinson
Executive Principal

As a recent converter to academy status, Nova Hreod Academy is coming to the end of a period of transition. With a strong new leadership team in place, the academy is making progress at pace and is today a school with a bright future and considerable potential.

As part of United Learning’s Southern Region, under the direction of Dame Sally Coates, Nova Hreod Academy is on a trajectory towards becoming an excellent local school.

Only an hour from London, Nova Hreod is a school that is moving forward rapidly and, in doing so, is adopting innovative programmes of change that are making an immediate difference to attendance, performance and aspiration. Current initiatives include student ranking and the Binary behaviour model which in August 2015 have helped the school achieve a 29% increase in its GCSE results.

Serving the communities of North Swindon, Nova Hreod is a school with a determined mission for its students to succeed. Working closely with other schools locally and within United Learning, Nova Hreod is an externally-focused school, keen to engage and share best practice and partner with others.

This is a stand out school – not least in its name – which comes from the Anglo Saxon for the stream that runs along the bottom of the school site. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the Hreod Burna is a tributary of the River Ray which runs through the valley in which the school lies.

I was looking for a new challenge and Nova Hreod was offering an opportunity which fitted with what I was looking for and would enable me to use my skills and experience. I found that I settled into my new role very quickly and this was helped with the excellent induction I received and the staff being so friendly, I felt that I fitted in immediately.  I am enjoying being part of implementing new systems and facing the everyday challenges working within a school.  The best part of working at Nova Hreod for me has to be to the clear strategy we have for school and that we all have a role to play, whether that be support office role or teaching – we all contribute to the pupils’ success and positive experience that they have at Nova.

Amanda, Finance Officer

At the end of my first year here at Nova I must say I couldn’t think of anywhere better to work. The support from staff within the departments and right across the school is second-to-none, every member of staff is more than happy to have a chat, and as with all teacher conversations pedagogy is always a hot topic.

Working here at Nova instils a real drive to make yourself the best that you can be, it would be hard not to get swept into the fantastic ethos of educational research and striving to provide our fantastic students with the best education possible. If you come to visit us here at Nova you will see how fantastic our pupils are, and how they really enjoy our disruption free environments as well as the healthy struggle provided by us.

Kathryn, science teacher

I have been at Nova for 8 years now and have enjoyed working in many different roles over this time. I was grateful of the experience and support I received whilst studying for my language degree, thoroughly enjoyed completing my teacher training "on the job" and feel immensely supported in my new role as Head of Department. I grew up in Swindon myself and therefore the lives of the young people here are close to my heart and I feel privileged to be part of their education. The high standards at Nova reflect my own morals and I truly love working here.

Kate, MFL teacher

I like that most of the staff here are very kind and are always here to help, so you are always safe.
In class teachers always encourage the best in everyone but in a way that is challenging and understandable.
The staff are perfect for helping us achieve what we are capable of.

Sophie yr 8

The ladies in Student Services are kind and helpful and support me when I need it. Also the teachers encourage me to develop knowledge on all subjects and help  me to understand the information needed.

Isobel yr 8

Nova Hreod is by far the nicest school in Swindon.  The teachers are really nice people and want to support you.
I would recommend becoming a Student Librarian.

Lucas yr 11

I like the Library because it has all  ranges of books to read.  If  I could I would read all day.

Stacie yr 9

I love that we get to have authors come into school so we get to meet new people from other schools and read new books.

Jack , Year 7

I enjoy being a student librarian because helping other people has always been something that I have been interested in and the student librarian programme has provided me with the motivation to work in a team and as an individual and to help other people. I would recommend becoming a student librarian and I hope I will be able to use the skills I have learnt in the future.

Chloe, Year 9

The teachers are supportive and help us work to the best of our abilities. I’ve made lots of new friends and Year 7 has gone really quickly, it’s been fun.

Sarah, Year 7

I like the fact that if you’re stuck on anything the teachers are always there to help if you need it. If you work hard you’ll get rewarded, I’ve received an award from the Principal this week.

Dominic, Year 7

Working at Nova Hreod Academy

• An academy making rapid, sustained improvement;
• Excellent facilities and resources;
• Access to an outstanding professional development programme including in-house MA;
• A chance to join one of the most established groups of academies in the country which operates a number of other schools locally;
• Caring, dedicated and friendly students who want to learn and fulfil their potential;
• Colleagues who are supportive, friendly and who are committed to each other’s professional development;
• Opportunities to be creative and to inspire your students.

United Learning benefits

As an employee of United Learning you are entitled to a set of core benefits, as well as a range of flexible benefits through our United Rewards scheme. You can find out more on our careers site.

Core Benefits

• A contributory pension scheme, relevant to your role (including access to Teacher and Local Government Schemes);
• Occupational sick pay;
• Tailored Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through the United Learning Institute.

Flexible Benefits

• Childcare vouchers
• Cycle to work scheme
• Computer (including TV) and mobile phone discounts
• Dining card
• Gym membership
• Health screening
• Health cashplan
• Retail savings

By joining Nova Hreod Academy you will also become part of United Learning - a unique group of independent and state schools working together to bring out the best in everyone. Our vision is to provide excellent education, which prepares young people to progress in learning and to make a success of their lives. United Learning focuses sharply on the evidence of what makes it more likely that young people will progress and succeed, apply that to classroom practice, allowing schools to continue to learn and develop. It is a priority to provide teachers with excellent professional support and development, so that every child receives an excellent experience.

The approach is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children and young people, supporting colleagues to achieve excellence and acting with integrity in all our dealings within and beyond the organisation, in the interests of young people everywhere.

The development programmes offer access to tailor-made training no matter your career stage, alongside unrivalled opportunities for your career development across both the maintained and independent sectors. The Performance and Development Reviews (PDR) encompass personal aspiration, impact on pupil achievement and identification of continuous professional development and training that is right for you and your future. For more information please visit our dedicated careers site.