Outwood Academy Danum is part of the Outwood Grange Academies Trust, a multi-school education trust, where each school can ‘individually shape themselves around the community and the children it serves’. Outwood Academy Danum has proven itself to be a highly inclusive school, and champions diversity within the student body. Its philosophy of ‘Students first: raising standards and transforming lives’ is present in all aspects of life at the academy. Students are encouraged to ‘See it, Say it, Sort it’ in a hands-on approach to reducing bullying and creating a more welcoming environment for all pupils. Indeed, the academy received the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Silver Award, showing that Danum are fully committed to the wellbeing of their learners. This welcoming environment extends beyond the academy gates, where parents praise the approachability of staff, recognisable every day in their high-vis yellow jackets.
Leadership within the school allows inclusive practice to function effortlessly. Through collaboration with the Trust and Local Authority, the academy is able to receive support particularly with SEND, safeguarding, and inclusion. They also use CPD provision from the National Institute of Teaching and NPQs in behaviour and teaching, to ensure all staff have as many resources as possible at their disposal to provide an inclusive education for all. Indeed, acknowledgement of success is not just reserved for students; the achievements of staff are uplifted on the staff recognition wall on ‘Outwood Plus’.
At Outwood Academy Danum, staff strive to ensure all children receive the same high quality educational experience. Those who arrive without equipment for the day, a uniform, or a breakfast, are supported by staff at the entrance to the building, making sure they are ready to learn. The SEND and Inclusion team ensure The Bridge and PLC open before school hours to ensure all learners receive the support they need to start the day. Their work allows the academy to quickly identify barriers to learning and socializing and respond to them appropriately. These spaces, most importantly, provide a quiet space for learners and help them re-engage with their learning, on both an individual and small group level. Reasonable adjustments are made for students with special educational needs and disabilities to ensure their ‘normal way of working’ is supported. The SENCo and the educational psychologist provide training for TAs and teachers to ensure that the best support can be provided for students who may need more specialist support on their progress journey. The new addition of The Aspire Centre helps students who need an alternative approach to re-engaging with their learning and provides academic and pastoral support for those at risk of permanent exclusion.
Students’ engagement is aided by a well-planned curriculum, designed to enrich experience, knowledge, and understanding, in and beyond the classroom. Alongside online learning programmes and well-structured homework, excellent trips and activities are offered to help their students feel included and welcomed in their student body. PSHE and RSE programmes equip students with the skills and knowledge for life outside of the academy. Participating in ‘Race for Life’, Student Voice, Honours, and Mental Wellbeing Ambassadors are just some of the ways students can engage with the academy and wider community. Student work is uplifted and displayed with pride at Outwood Academy Danum, displayed prominently near reception on the Wonderwall and the Honours Board. Students can feel pride in their work and celebrate achievement with others in this inclusive and supportive environment. Peer assessment plays an important role in academy life, and collaborative working environments allow students of mixed abilities to work together and build confidence.
Parents and carers are an important part of life at Outwood Danum Academy. Access to the Outwood Portal allows them to receive updates on their child and communicate with the school when needed. This is supported with information sessions and open evenings, to ensure parents are fully aware of the school ethos and vision and feel supported in the academy community. SEND coffee morning provide regular opportunities for parents and carers of students with SEND to network and engage with the academy. Indeed, the school even provides training sessions for parents to help them support their children with numeracy, literacy, and social well-being. These initiatives show that inclusion and belonging extend beyond the academy gates at Danum, and everyone linked to the school can receive the support they need.
The academy’s core values of being ‘Safe, Responsible, Respectful and Extraordinary’ radiate through all the extraordinary work carried out at Outwood Academy Danum, from both students and staff. This inclusive and welcoming learning environment recently received local media attention in the Doncaster Free Press, upon the receiving their IQM Centre of Excellence Award, which you can read about here: Doncaster school achieves Centre of Excellence status for inclusion