A Doncaster-based secondary school is celebrating after receiving two national awards, recognising the work done by the school to support its staff and students mental health and also its work on inclusion.

̨��swag Academy Danum, based on Armthorpe Road, has been awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark Award by IQM, while being awarded Bronze Status by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health Award.

Led by Carnegie School of Education and Minds Ahead CIC, the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health Award ensures schools are using evidence-based approaches, aligned to the latest professional guidelines surrounding mental health.

The assessment report found that staff at ̨��swag Academy Danum had worked hard over the last 12 months to build positive relationships with outside agencies that provide support to SEND students and those with social, emotional and mental health needs.

During its assessment, the academy was found to have made mental wellbeing a high profile subject for both students and staff. The assessors noted the work the academy had done to help staff ‘in terms of their understanding of the issues and how best to support the pupils’ that need it.

Jayne Gaunt, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Danum, said:

“We are pleased to have been awarded Bronze Status. It is a solid start as it recognises the hard work of our students and staff in this area.

“At ̨��swag we are dedicated to putting students first and this goes beyond just academically. We want to ensure our students are supported and are good citizens when they leave us, as well as achieving academically. 

“To this aim, we want to make sure their mental health and wellbeing is looked after. We take pride in receiving this award and look forward to building on it and continuing to support our staff and students as best we can.”

The academy success in the IQM Award came after a rigorous assessment and evaluation process. The award provides UK schools with a nationally recognised validation of their inclusive practice and ongoing commitment to developing educational inclusion.

The IQM report spoke glowingly about the academy’s progress since joining the ̨��swag Family in 2016, noting it had ‘moved a long way’ and now held a ‘good reputation locally’ while maintaining that ‘the well-being of staff and students is a key priority’ for the senior staff at the academy.

Jayne added:

“The IQM award is testament to the hard work of our staff in particular in pushing ourselves to get better and better in the area of inclusion. We believe every child deserves the best education possible, no matter their start in life, and we will always work our very hardest to fulfil this vision.”