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 Overviews
Our mathematics curriculum, led by Mrs I Day, focuses on:
- Building strong foundations in number and calculation
- Developing problem-solving and reasoning skills
- Applying mathematical concepts to real-life situations
- Building confidence through achievable challenges
- Preparing pupils for qualifications appropriate to their ability
Under the leadership of Mrs J Cox, our Science Knowledge Lead, pupils explore:
- Scientific enquiry through practical investigations
- Understanding of the natural world
- Physical and chemical processes
- Human biology and health
- Environmental awareness and sustainability
Understanding the society we live in, exploing geography, history, and religious education
Expressing imagination through art, music, and drama
Developing coordination, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles
Building practical skills and problem-solving abilities
Preparing for the digital world with essential IT skills
Introducing pupils to other cultures and languages
Weekly mindfulness tutorials help pupils:
- Reflect on their achievements
- Discuss areas for improvement
- Consider the lives of others
- Contribute positively to school life
As pupils progress through the school, they access a range of therapies including:
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Counselling
- Art therapy
- Drama therapy
These interventions are delivered by qualified specialists and integrated into the school day to ensure maximum impact.
Our comprehensive PSHE curriculum is carefully mapped across all themes to ensure pupils develop:
- Emotional literacy and self-regulation
- Healthy relationship skills
- Understanding of personal safety
- Financial literacy and consumer awareness
- Respect for diversity and difference