Outwood Academy Danum Explained

Outwood Academy Danum
Coordinates:53.534°N -1.0832°W
Motto:"Students first"
Established:1960s
Type:Academy
Head Label:Principal
Head:Amanda Crane
Chair Label:Chair of Governors
Chair:Judy Parker
Address:Armthorpe Road
City:Doncaster
County:South Yorkshire
Country:England
Postcode:DN2 5QD
Local Authority:Doncaster
Ofsted:yes
Urn:143938
Staff:270
Capacity:1926
Enrolment:1274
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:18
Gender:Mixed
Houses:Africa, Asia, Americas, Australasia and Europe
Colours:Purple and gold
Free Label 1:Former names
Free 1:Danum Grammar School; Danum School; Danum School Technology College; Danum Academy

Outwood Academy Danum (formerly Danum School Technology College, Danum Academy and Intake Secondary Modern) is an academy school serving the east of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England. Danum is the Roman name for Doncaster.

Admissions

It is for ages 11–18. The academy is split into two sites;[1] the Main School which caters for the students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 on Armthorpe Road and the Sixth Form Centre which educates Years 12 and 13 on Leger Way.The main school site is next to the A18.

History

Grammar schools

Doncaster Technical High School for Girls became Doncaster Technical Grammar School for Girls in the early 1960s, later becoming Danum Grammar School for Girls on Danum Road. Doncaster Technical High School for Boys on Greyfriars Road moved to Armthorpe Road in the 1950s, and had a similar name change to the girls' school. Edward Semper, the headmaster of the boys' schools, was one of the UK's leading proponents of specialist technical schools.[2]

The Danum Grammar School for Boys (c.500 boys) and Danum Grammar School for Girls merged in 1970 to form the co-educational selective Danum Grammar School. It had a technical bias, similar to a technical school. At the same time Doncaster Grammar School had merged with its analogous female school. The school was administered by the County Borough of Doncaster Education Committee and had around 800 boys and girls.

Comprehensive

In 1978 Danum Grammar School became the comprehensive Danum School, merging with Intake High School, located on Leger Way. Doncaster Grammar School became a comprehensive five years later in 1983.

Danum School gained Technology College status in 2002, and changed its name to reflect its new specialism.[3]

Academy

On 1 September 2011 Danum School Technology College formally gained academy status, and changed its name to Danum Academy.

In 2016, Danum Academy was taken over by Outwood Grange Academies and its name was changed to Outwood Academy Danum. Shortly after this the site at Leger War was closed and all teaching moved to the Armthorpe Road site.

Former teachers

Sixth form

Danum Sixth Form is located on Armthorpe Road and has approximately 450 students. The sixth form only accepts students with certain academic requirements; these are 6 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English.

In 2005, Danum Sixth Form achieved the highest point score per A Level than any other sixth form in Doncaster. Also, over 80% of leavers in 2005 continued their studies to pursue degree courses; these included Oxford and Cambridge.

In 2016, the sixth form's A Level results remained above the Doncaster average, with a progress score of +0.18 and an average grade of C.[4]

Sport

The school won the English School's basketball championship in 2006, beating Shenfield School 76-65 in the National Final, which was played in the Hemel Hempstead sports centre.[5]

Present day

In 2022, it was announced that school bosses were trying to sell the 'Technical College Campus' (off Leger Way), both building and grounds, which had not been used for more than five years.[6] The site is physically detached from the rest of the school.

As of January 2021, Amanda Crane has taken over the role principal of Outwood Academy Danum replacing the former-Principal Jayne Gaunt.

In March 2023, a number of pupils protested against a school policy which left toilet facilities locked behind a shutter during lesson time. The shutters were also received with heavy criticism from parents and the general public and has appeared in local news.[7]

Notable alumni

Danum Grammar School

Doncaster Technical High School for Boys

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Danum School Technology College . Developing a key stage 4 curriculum . Qualifications and Curriculum Authority . 25 May 2006 . 31 May 2009 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090208174556/http://qca.org.uk/qca_3027.aspx . 8 February 2009 .
  2. Web site: University Technical Colleges . 23 March 2011 . 2 October 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002032844/http://www.edge.co.uk/media/16991/considerations_for_university_technical_colleges.pdf . dead .
  3. Web site: Wainwright . Martin . School Librarian, Danum School Technology College, Doncaster Lynne Coppendale Salary: £19,824-£21,282 . Society Guardian - Society - Series: Public voices: Public values . Guardian News and Media . 21 March 2002 . 31 May 2009 .
  4. https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/137524{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  5. Web site: English School's U-19 Basketball Final 2006 . News . up-t-hoop.co.uk . 31 May 2009 .
  6. Web site: 2022-02-14 . Doncaster school planning to sell part of estate for housing to fund refurbishments . 2022-11-02 . www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk . en.
  7. News: Burke . Darren . February 24, 2023 . Angry pupils stage protest after Doncaster school 'locks toilets with security shutters . Doncaster Free Press . March 7, 2023.