At The Damara School, we provide every pupil with a safe, rewarding, and personalised education designed to improve their life chances and prepare them for the world beyond school. Our curriculum is specifically tailored to meet the needs of children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) requirements, combining academic excellence with therapeutic support. Using mindful, therapeutic, and holistic approaches to learning, all our pupils are taught to develop new and existing skills, increase knowledge, and strengthen understanding. Our strong pastoral support and dedicated partnerships with families and other professionals help each pupil cope with the pressures of education and life to reach their full academic, social, emotional, and spiritual potential.
"The trust and school leaders are ambitious for every pupil in the school. They have designed a broad and aspirational curriculum that captures pupils’ interest and readiness to learn. High expectations and purposeful routines are reflected in all aspects of daily life in Damara. Pupils quickly begin to respect the clear boundaries that leaders set. As a result, they achieve well, often from very low starting points." - Ofsted 2022
Curriculum Coverage
Our curriculum has taken 2 years to develop and is designed to provide distinctive perspectives and approaches to understanding the world and is based on sound principles and an orderly approach, rather than following particular pedagogic methods. It is innovative, holistic, therapeutic, creative and relevant and is differentiated and personalised for every pupil.
Assessment Methods
When a student joins The Damara School, they participate in our comprehensive two-week baseline assessment program, which is thoughtfully integrated into the normal curriculum to minimise anxiety and provide an authentic picture of their abilities.
Extracurricular Activities
At The Damara School, we believe that learning extends far beyond the traditional classroom. Our extracurricular program is thoughtfully designed to provide our students with enriching experiences that develop confidence, build social skills, and nurture new interests and talents. For children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, these activities offer invaluable opportunities to practice skills in real-world settings while discovering strengths they may not encounter in academic subjects alone.
Special Educational Needs Support
At The Damara School, our entire educational provision is designed specifically to support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. As a Section 41 approved independent special school, we provide a highly specialised environment where students aged 5-16 can thrive despite the challenges they face.
Our approach is built on the understanding that SEMH needs require a unique combination of therapeutic support, personalised academic instruction, and consistent emotional nurturing. We recognise that each child's journey is different, and we tailor our provision to meet individual needs while maintaining high expectations for both academic progress and personal development.