Student Voice

At North Durham Academy, we place great importance on student voice. We actively listen to our students and take meaningful action in response to their feedback.

February

In February, students were invited to share their views through a range of questions, and we are pleased to share some of the outcomes. We are particularly proud to confirm that all students reported having a trusted adult in school—an important reflection of the strong relationships within our community.

Student feedback also highlighted an area for improvement: some students were unsure where to locate the safeguarding team. In response, we have made changes to ensure support is more visible and accessible. Mrs Menear and Miss Hood are now based in a central location near the main reception, making it easier for students to find and approach them.

We hope this change will encourage students to continue seeking support whenever they need it, knowing that help is always close by. At North Durham Academy, listening to our students and acting on their feedback remains at the heart of everything we do.

Student Voice - February

December

In December, we sought to understand whether students felt they had a trusted adult they could turn to, as well as their awareness of how to stay safe online and their understanding of different categories of abuse. The feedback gathered was largely positive, which is encouraging. However, it also highlighted areas where further improvement is needed—particularly in ensuring that all students feel they have a trusted adult and in strengthening their understanding of the different types of abuse.

In response, we shared these student insights during a whole-staff personal development session. This provided an opportunity for staff to reflect and further enhance relationships with students, helping to foster a stronger sense of belonging across the academy.

As part of this ongoing work, we developed a child-friendly safeguarding document. This includes clear information on the four categories of abuse, as well as key staff contact details. The document has been shared with all students to ensure they know where to seek support and feel confident in doing so.

Student Voice - December