As Head of School, I am delighted to welcome you to UET Pathfinder Douglas Bader Academy. We provide educational pathways for young people who, for a variety of reasons, are not attending mainstream school.

We can cater for up to 86 children from Y1-11 and work in close partnership with parents/carers and our wider community. Our older students can also access courses at our vocational Hub, located at Locksley School. Following an assessment and induction programme, our young people are placed on pathways, which are closely matched to needs. They are offered the bespoke support they need within a highly personalised programme. Every child is allocated a ‘champion’, a member of senior staff who is an advocate and key worker for the child. This is in addition to their form tutor and teachers.

As a short stay school, we develop the potential of every child to empower them and give them the confidence to play a positive role in society as responsible citizens. We understand that some of our children have experienced difficulties in education and we are proud of the opportunities for positive reflection and change that we provide.

Our school operates with warmth, mutual respect, high standards and a commitment to enabling all learners to fulfil their potential and we constantly seek to raise student aspirations.

We aim high and believe all can succeed. I am very proud to lead a staff team that work collaboratively with our young people to develop positive relationships, resilience and trust, which enables them to progress onto college, to specialist provision or to return to mainstream education.