Mrs G Donald

Mrs Donald joined the school in 2015 as an SDS teacher in the Physics Department. After spending 20 years as an Optometrist, she had swapped her quiet consulting room for the excitement and challenges of a Physics Laboratory filled with teenagers.

“Darrick Wood fosters positive attitudes to learning and expects excellent behaviour from all pupils. Pupils have pride in their school and have clear expectations of what is acceptable as ‘The Darrick Wood Way’. Teachers and pupils alike thrive in an environment of mutual respect, responsibility and honesty. Pupils benefit from excellent technology and resources and dedicated staff who challenge and inspire. The School buildings are well presented and litter free, providing an atmosphere conducive to structured learning.”

Dr L Burroughs

From my first visit to Darrick Wood for interview, I knew that this was the School for me. I am now into my 7th year at Darrick Wood and I still marvel at the high standards of both pupils and staff. Darrick Wood offers a supportive and inspiring environment for all, where hard work is continuously promoted and rewarded. We believe that every pupil deserves the chance to succeed regardless of ability or background. One thing that stands out in the School’s community is the respect and professionalism shown by all.

I started my career at Darrick Wood as an SDS trainee. The vibrancy and love of learning I have experienced within the Darrick Wood community has kept me hooked and I have never looked back on my decision to change careers from my Scientific Research background. I have received positive encouragement and support throughout my career and I am proud to be a member of the Senior Leadership team. Here at Darrick Wood we strive to produce dedicated lifelong learners and therefore promote the attributes and behaviours essential for success in examinations and future life.

Mr J Eynon

Mr Eynon has worked in education for over 10 years, and joined Darrick Wood School in September 2014. Prior to joining Darrick Wood School, Mr Eynon worked as a Senior Leader in another school, and has also been Head of Geography and Head of House. He is currently Deputy Head Teacher, with various roles of responsibility in the School, including the attainment of Key Stage 4. Mr Eynon is a Specialist Leader of Education and leads the Geography Executive group for PiXL.

“People often talk about educational establishments and refer to the ‘feel’. It’s something that can’t quite be quantified, but I remember my immediate reaction to the overwhelmingly positive ‘feel’ that Darrick Wood School had when I first visited. I invite you to visit the School to experience it for yourself. This unquantifiable feeling really does demonstrate the potential of a cohesive community of staff, students and the wider community to form a world class school. With clear expectations in all areas of school life, Darrick Wood School supports all learners (staff and students alike) to be their own personal best. In my opinion, Darrick Wood School is fully worthy of its World Class School Quality Mark.

As a Senior Leader in the School, I feel privileged to work with such a dedicated, professional and enthusiastic staff body. Staff place the immediate concerns of our students at the centre of all that they do, and work co-operatively to ensure that the best possible outcomes for all can be achieved. Our Darrick Wood School Vision for Learning epitomises this philosophy. By concentrating on five key areas, the community of Darrick Wood School works together to ensure that we reach world class standards in relationships, ownership, engagement, challenge and progress.

Opportunities for professional development are broad and exciting at Darrick Wood School. The School is extremely supportive to enable the professional development of staff, whilst a culture of collaboration amongst staff ensures that leadership opportunities are rife for colleagues at all stages of their career. Even as a Senior Leader, I have been incredibly well supported to continue to develop my own career, both inside and outside the class room.

Most crucial to the success of Darrick Wood School, however, are the students. If you visit the School, you will find them overwhelmingly hardworking, positive and polite. Expectations of behaviour and attainment are high at Darrick Wood School, and students work in collaboration with staff to consistently reach the high standards set. Students are positive about taking on challenges, are not afraid of failure and are resilient to try again until they succeed. If you have ever read or heard about Growth Mind-set, then students at Darrick Wood School certainly fulfil the core mind-set to be growth-orientated. A culture of growth mind-set permeates the entirety of the Darrick Wood School community, and staff are dedicated to reflect upon best practice and improve at every opportunity to ensure the best for everyone at Darrick Wood School. I’m happy to say that the overwhelmingly positive ‘feel’ of Darrick Wood School, that I first experienced over two years ago, continues to grow to this very day."

Mr P Cook

Mr Cook has been at Darrick Wood for 13 years and started as an NQT teaching Physics before being promoted in September 2015 to Head of Physics. He has worked as a Physics mentor and Senior Mentor with Bromley Schools Collegiate for the last 9 years and is an SLE.

"Darrick Wood is a world class school with hard working, well-mannered pupils who are determined to succeed and achieve their full potential. They are supported in their learning by highly skilled and dedicated staff who work tirelessly to ensure that each and every pupil succeeds regardless of their ability and background. Our School values of respect, responsibility and honesty are core to everything we do. As a result, the learning environment is positive, challenging and rooted in mutual respect so pupils feel safe to ask for assistance when needed.”

Mrs L Brasier-Bingham

Mrs Brasier-Bingham joined Darrick Wood School in 1978 as a newly qualified teacher. She was appointed to be in charge of girls’ PE. A few years later in addition to the PE role Mrs Brasier-Bingham was then promoted to be a Head of Year. She is still working within the PE Department and is our longest standing Achievement Co-ordinator. Mrs Brasier-Bingham is also the longest serving member of staff at the School. She plays a very active role in school life and promotes the ethos of the School with great passion. Mrs Brasier-Bingham has led the School’s ski trips since 1982 which is one of her personal passions; she also supports many other school trips.

“I have been very fortunate to have been a member of staff at Darrick Wood for my whole teaching career. We work hard for each other and particularly for the pupils to be the best they can be in all aspects of life. We have very good facilities for both lessons and extra-curricular activities. The pupils have access to a wide range of experiences including many day trips and trips abroad, fund raising for charities and many school events. These prove fantastic opportunities for all of us to take learning into a broad range of environments. All in all, a fantastic school with high expectations of everyone in the Darrick Wood School community.”