Darlinghurst Academy Vision and Values Statement
Our Vision
At Darlinghurst Academy, we are big on heart. Every child who walks through our doors is valued, known, and supported to flourish. We believe that education is about nurturing the whole child – their minds, their hearts, and their futures. Through commitment and dedication to our children and families we create an environment that means everyone belongs. We are reflective practitioners who continuously learn, adapt, and move forward with best practice, always responding to the evolving needs of our children and families.
Our Promise
We promise that every child at Darlinghurst Academy will:
- Be known, valued, and celebrated for who they are
- Experience an ambitious curriculum that opens doors to their future
- Receive the support they need, when they need it
- Feel safe, heard, and empowered to take risks in their learning
- Develop the character, resilience, and confidence to face life’s challenges
- Leave us ready for their next steps – academically prepared and equipped with the skills and character to succeed
Our children will be empowered to be:
Successful learners who achieve their full potential and develop a love of learning
Prepared for change with the resilience and confidence to face any challenges
Active citizens who contribute positively to society and show a sense of humanity and responsibility
Confident individuals who believe in themselves and their abilities
Effective contributors who work collaboratively and make a positive difference
Our Academy Values
Our curriculum is underpinned by five core values that shape every aspect of school life:
Achievement – Always do your very best; together we will succeed
Belonging – Be happy and help to make our school a caring, welcoming place
Confidence – Challenge yourself every day. Ask, discover, explore and create
Determination – Don’t ever give up; believe you can and you will
Excellence – A-D leads to E. Achieving excellence together
Achievement
We maintain the highest expectations for all our children and provide the support needed for each child to reach their full potential. We recognise that achievement takes many forms. We are committed to narrowing gaps in attainment for disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs, ensuring every child achieves.
Belonging
We create a safe, supportive environment where every child is valued, wanted, respected and heard. We celebrate diversity and ensure all children know they are an important part of our school community. We build strong relationships based on trust, kindness and mutual respect, ensuring no child feels excluded or left behind.
Confidence
We encourage every child to challenge themselves daily through asking questions, discovering new ideas, exploring possibilities and creating solutions. We develop independent learners who are curious about the world, confident in their abilities and ready to shine.
Determination
We teach that persistence and effort lead to success. We celebrate resilience and help children understand that challenges are opportunities to learn, grow and achieve. We provide tailored support to help all pupils overcome barriers to their learning.
British Values
We promote fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These values are embedded within our academy values and ethos, creating safe spaces where children can discuss issues such as citizenship, equality and belonging. We nurture critical thinkers and active citizens who respect others and challenge prejudice and discrimination.
Darlinghurst Direction
Children and staff follow the Darlinghurst Direction – this is the way we do it here.
The three rules:
| Ready | Respect | Safe |
| Be ready to learn | Be Respectful in our relationships | Be safe in our choices |
This creates a culture of certainty and consistency through:
- Predictable routines
- Emotional safety
- Clear classroom strategies and lesson structures
- Layered approach to lessons
- Active engagement
Our Approach
An Ambitious, Inclusive Curriculum for All
Our curriculum is ambitious, broad and balanced, designed to give all learners the knowledge they need to achieve and succeed in later life. Our approach includes:
- Early identification of needs and targeted support – We know our children and act swiftly when support is needed
- Differentiated approaches – Every child can access learning at the right level for them
- High expectations for every child – Regardless of starting point, we believe in what every child can achieve
- Celebration of diversity – We honour and embrace the unique qualities each child brings
- A relational approach – Strong, trusting relationships underpin all learning and enable children to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn
Holistic Development: Supporting the Whole Child
We recognise that every child is unique. All staff support pupils to build strong foundations for accessing the curriculum and achieving success – both academically and personally.
Our holistic approach includes:
- Nurturing environments where emotional well-being is prioritised and every child feels they belong
- Character education woven through all subjects, developing resilience, kindness, integrity, honesty, generosity, and courage
- Personal development opportunities that build confidence, self-respect, and a sense of purpose
- Pastoral care that ensures every child feels safe, supported, and heard
A Bespoke Curriculum for Academic and Personal Progress
Our curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced so that pupils build knowledge and skills sequentially and cumulatively. Our curriculum:
- Is coherently planned and sequenced so pupils build knowledge incrementally, with time to revisit content and address gaps
- Provides multiple entry points to engage all learners and meet them where they are
- Balances core skills development in reading, writing, and mathematics with broader curriculum experiences that inspire curiosity and wonder
- Ensures connections between subjects to deepen understanding and help children see learning as interconnected
Reflection and Response: Moving Forward Together
We are committed to:
- Regular reflection on our practice, informed by evidence, research, and the voices of our children and families
- Responsive action when we identify areas for development or emerging needs
- Continuous improvement through professional learning, collaboration, and a willingness to adapt
- Transparency about our strengths and our areas for growth
- Accountability to our children, families, and community
Our partnership with parents means:
- Transparency about what we teach and how we support your child
- Regular, open communication about your child’s learning and well-being
- Support to help you continue learning at home
- Opportunities to contribute to academy life – celebrating together
Our wider connections enable us to:
- Draw on specialist expertise when children need additional support
- Access resources and opportunities that enrich our curriculum
- Be active members of the community and support children to be effective contributors
Our Shared Commitment
At Darlinghurst Academy, we are driven by a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves to be known, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Through our ambitious curriculum, our relational approach, our unwavering commitment to the whole child, and our dedication to working in partnership with families and our community, we will ensure that all our pupils leave us ready for the next stage of their journey – confident, capable, and full of heart.
We will regularly communicate what the school is doing and how it’s helping to achieve the overall vision through parent events, letters home, staff meetings, assemblies, and school council meetings.
This is our promise. This is our commitment. This is Darlinghurst Academy.
