Well-being in Doon Academy

Meeting Needs

Social & Economic background –

Dalmellington in top 4% most deprived communities in Scotland: Unemployment, health, education, income etc as well as being geographically isolated and far from cultural and higher/further education centres. It has been long recognised that our pupils suffer from low self-esteem, low self-confidence, low aspirations and ambition and many of them are generally disengaged.

A Curriculum for Excellence

To enable young people to become

•Successful learners

With

•enthusiasm and motivation for learning•determination to reach high standards of achievement•openness to new thinking and ideas

•Confident individuals

With

•self respect•a sense of physical, mental and emotional well-being•secure values and beliefs•ambition

A Curriculum for Excellence

•Responsible citizens

With

•respect for others•commitment to participate responsibly in political, economic, social and cultural life

A Curriculum for Excellence

•Effective contributors

With

•an enterprising attitude•resilience •self-reliance

A Curriculum for Excellence

Welfare

•2 Principal Teachers of Guidance deployed fully on pupil welfare•PSE programme•Pupil Support department•Emotional and Mental Health Nurse appointed. Works 1-1, small groups, in PSE classes, drop ins and through self and staff referral•Extended Welfare Group-Guidance, Emotional & Mental Health Nurse, School Nurse, SMT, SEN, Support for Learning, Behaviour Support, Classroom Assistants, Children’s Service Coordinator, Community Link workers, Social Work Assistant, Lifestyle Referral Officer.

Relationships

•Mentoring – volunteer staff mentor 8–10 pupils. - Meet daily and weekly during Mentoring period, necessitating change to school day/week. Central to establishing new relationships with

pupils and staff.•Circle time used throughout the school,

mentoring & curriculum periods.•20% of staff trained in Restorative Practice.•Peer mediation.•Peer support.•Leadership programme.

Curriculum

Enriched and more appropriate curriculum with greater personalisation and choice.

•Vocational Ed. Courses delivered in school by F.E. lecturers – Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Care.•Electives offered S1-S4.•Increased provision of PE, Dance and Drama.•PSE programme.•Health Promoting School.•A Curriculum for Excellence, Enterprise activities, Assessment is for Learning, Future Learning and Teaching Numeracy, Eco school activities.•Change of school day; extra-curricular provision (inc. staff) – academic, recreational, interest.

Methodologies

•Distributive leadership – all staff in at least one Improvement Group, PT Meetings, leadership at all levels.•Integrated Working.•Learning Partnership.•Communications: Bulletin, Newsletter, Website, local press.•Primary programme.•Positive Behaviour strategies.•Classroom Code.•Celebrating achievements – Achievement corridors, big screen, boards. House system.•Assertive Mentoring.•Shared campus.•Nursery pals.•Open doors. MBWA.•Inclusive school community – social events, Burns Supper.•Open to change & innovation (pupils & staff) – School of Ambition.•Pupil voice – Mentoring, Circles, Pupil Council, EA Youth Forum, Community Councils, Scottish Youth Parliament, Leadership programme, AifL, AcfE.•Literacy across the curriculum.

Support

•Extended Welfare Group.•Community links 0 Friends of Doon Academy, local museum & library, Youth Centres, local estate, Community Police.•Meeting staff needs, stress management.•Easter & summer schools.

Opportunities

•Leadership Programme – twice per session 4 staff and 12 pupils undertake residential “Academy”, delivered by previous staff and pupil “Graduates”, maximising number of participants in leadership activities to “tipping point”, establishing positive and inspirational culture. Also having impact on staff/pupil relationships.•Leadership service – Malawi link, rich tasks, Comenius links beyond community + local issues.•Citizenship programme.•Outdoor Education, Adventure Club, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Sports Leadership.•OYT, Kilmarnock College, Fire Service.

Advantages

•Size of school.•PE facilities and pool•Attendance phone calls•Parents Evening changes