Dene Academy: School of Sanctuary

In September 2021, Dene Academy started to work towards School of Sanctuary status. The overall aim was to promote a culture of welcome and inclusion for refugees, asylum seekers and anyone in need of a safe space.

We organised a series of introductory meetings and assemblies for staff and students to explain why people might need to flee their homes and seek safety in other countries. Some classes enjoyed
taster lessons in Arabic and Urdu to help them build empathy with speakers of different languages who come to the UK. Year 11 students took part in the Amnesty International Write for Rights initiative and wrote short notes of solidarity to the family of Ciham Ali, who was detained after trying to flee from Eritrea.

In addition, we made visual symbols including an orange heart with messages of welcome and a large patchwork banner that was displayed at EDAN in Seaham for Refugee Week and taken to the Durham Big Meeting in July.

We analysed our school curriculum and ensured that students were being taught about migration of people in a variety of different subjects. The School of Sanctuary awarding body were particularly
pleased with this aspect of our application and wrote: “We’ve been impressed with Dene Academy’s efforts to ensure sanctuary themes were represented in every subject within the curriculum across all year groups”.

This academic year, we have created a team of student Sanctuary Ambassadors who are doing a fabulous job of representing the initiative throughout our school community. They ran an interactive School of Sanctuary activity during our Open Evening and accepted the School of Sanctuary award on behalf of the Academy from local MP, Grahame Morris on Friday 7th October.

All at Dene are very proud that our efforts to be a welcoming and safe space have been officially recognised and we are committed to promoting equality and diversity in all we do.

Supportive Transition: Making the Right Decision for your Child

At Dene Academy, we ensure that every child enjoys a smooth transition into our school. We are very proud of our strong links with our local primaries and the community.

Throughout the year, we host a range of transition events to ensure parents and children can make the right decision for their child. These events are also a great way for families to learn more about the school, meet staff and familiarise themselves with our modern facilities. Our aim is to reduce the anxiety and worry for families when deciding on their child’s secondary school.

Just recently, we held our annual Open Evening. It was a brilliant night and it was attended by many families from our local community. During the evening, children and parents were able to experience a range of activities including climbing, problem solving, baking, dissecting, experimenting and constructing. All of these activities were created so that the children had fun but also developed new skills.

At Dene, we appreciate for some children that ‘just one off visits’ to their new school is not enough. This is why, over the last three years, we have worked closely with our local primary schools to deliver curriculum programmes in Art, Photography, Design Technology, Science, English, Maths and Physical Education. These curriculum programmes have enabled our feeder schools to bring their Year 5 or Year 6 pupils to Dene Academy for a block of weekly sessions. As a result, pupils in Year 5 and 6 have developed new knowledge and skills and have become more self-confident in a secondary school setting.

Happiness is a core value at Dene. We believe that is vital that when children join our school community they feel supported and prepared to start the next stage of their education journey. This is why we have invested in our Pastoral System to ensure our new Year 7 pupils have their own Progress Leader, dedicated to working and supporting them with their transition from primary to secondary school.

Innovative Curriculum Design

At Dene Academy, we believe that every child is unique. As such, we aim to provide high quality teaching
and learning within a personalised, challenging and innovative curriculum. Built around students’ individual needs and abilities, an outstanding educational experience enables them to achieve their full potential and maximise their talents.

One of our many strengths at Dene Academy is our amazing Art Deparment. Often, visitors will comment on the stunning artwork adorning the reception area, and this is just a fraction of the incredible work produced by Dene Art and Photography students.

At Dene, there has been a real focus on developing a rich and engaging KS3 and KS4 Curriculum in Art and Design. This means, at KS3, students gain a deep understanding of the formal elements (line, shape, tone, form, colour, texture and pattern) as well as exploring the work of a range of traditional and contemporary artists. At KS4, the Art and Photography department encourage their students to flourish. There is a real focus on them becoming more independent and resilient learners. Students are given the challenge and the opportunities to express themselves through their own individual creative projects. These projects allow them to demonstrate their real creative flair and talent.

This year, the Art Department achieved another set of exceptional results. 94% of students achieved a Grade 9-4 in Art, 29% of which was above a Grade 7 and 93% of students achieved a grade 9 to 4 in Photography, 30% of which was above a Grade 7.

At Dene, we understand the importance of choosing the right school for your child. Therefore, we recommend that you come and visit us in order to get a true feel of our school. There is nothing better than being able to ask your questions directly to staff and see what the school has to offer your child.

A Centre of Excellence

Dene Academy is a dynamic and vibrant school. Our Commitment to Excellence is clearly visible in every
aspect of our work. At Dene, your child will receive the highest quality of education from a dedicated and talented staff team of whom we are incredibly proud. Staff have a genuine pride for our school and love nothing more than seeing our children succeed.

At Dene, we have five core values and these underpin our whole school ethos and curriculum. We believe that all of our students should demonstrate respect, be resilient, have high aspirations and work with integrity with one clear goal: to be happy. Furthermore, central to our ethos and values is the success of every student in the school and, for us, this means high quality teaching and learning are at the heart of everything we do, combined with exceptional pastoral care to meet the needs of every student.

As a school, we are dedicated to delivering a supportive, exciting and engaging curriculum providing opportunities for challenge, creativity and independent learning. We aim for our children to feel a sense of community, grow in confidence and to be proud of their achievements. As well as encouraging a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning, we are keen to empower our children so that they are independent learners.

Our aim is that all children should leave the school as highly qualified, self-reliant and articulate young adults. We are deeply dedicated to ensuring that our children have a rich and successful experience and we believe in equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence for the future.

From our students, we expect and insist upon the very highest standards: exemplary behaviour, manners and respect, commendable attitudes to learning, as well as an expectation that they are positive role models, within school and our wider community.

Dene is a successful school because we value the things that are important to you: an aspirational curriculum, exceptional teaching and learning and outstanding achievement. These are the guiding principles that will ensure that your child grows with us to become a well-qualified, well-rounded,
respectful and aspirational young adult with the knowledge, skills and attitude to be successful in whichever direction life takes them.

Inspire – Dene Academy, December 2021

Risk Assessment

Please click here to access COVID-19 General Risk Assessment Form

Parental Letter – 31.12.20

Parental Letter – 31.12.2020

PHE letter to parents and guardians

PHE letter to parents and guardians

Face covering – Headteacher’s letter

Headteacher’s letter – face covering around the school