Woodlands Primary, with 396 pupils, is in one of Doncaster’s most deprived areas. Nearly half of its students are eligible for free school meals, with significant numbers under Child Protection. Donna Burnett joined as headteacher 18 months ago, and her first TEP survey results revealed behaviour, staff wellbeing, and leadership as top priorities for her.

Behaviour – Clear Expectations, Strong Support.

Since Donna's arrival, the school's behaviour score has risen from 7.9 to 8.8 out of 10 in the Spring 2025 TEP census — now +1.5 above the national average of 7.3/10. Donna’s initial focus was on setting clear, consistent expectations for all - children, staff, and parents - delivered through a relational approach. She recognised that behaviour included not just how pupils act, but also staff attitudes and the overall school culture. Shifting mindsets and building consistency was essential.  

The impact is reflected clearly in behaviour incident data. In 2023/24 there were 126 recorded incidents; by 2024/25 this had fallen to 62, and in the current academic year to date there have been just 20, a dramatic reduction that speaks to the sustained culture change underway.

A Relational and Restorative Approach.

‍Learning thrives when students feel safe, understood, and respected. At Woodlands, this is put into practice through:

• Teaching children self-regulation strategies

• Dedicated calming spaces

• “Zones of Regulation” in every classroom, with colour-coded stations for pupils to express feelings and access tools like fidget items, books, and calming prompts

• Restorative practices and conflict resolution education

• Tailoring SLT responses—deploying the staff member with the strongest relationship to de-escalate issues

Staff receive regular training and hands-on support from SLT to ensure consistent application of the rules. The results are visible to everyone in the building. Sarah Ramsden, Support & Achievement Officer, reflects:

"Behaviour in school has been transformative over the last two years. School is now a calm and safe oasis for children where they are able to engage and learn in their lessons with minimal disruption or distraction."

The school also supports families through a Family Hub offering adult learning, crafts, coffee mornings, and summer drop-ins. Some parents now use the same tools at home. One parent shared:

"The school does loads to help the families and the community around here. They have really helped me with supporting my daughter at home and this has made our relationship stronger."

“It’s all about balance,” says Donna. “Teaching regulation, applying consistent consequences, and interlinking it all into a supportive structure.”

Approachable, Organised Leadership

‍Leadership has followed a similarly impressive trajectory, rising from 7.5 to 8.9 out of 10 in Spring 2025 ( +1.3 points above the national benchmark). Donna credits this to a supportive SLT where no job is too small, and staff feel heard and valued.  Weekly “thank you” emails, live planning documents, and clear communication all contribute to a sense of organisation and appreciation. Staff absence now stands at just 1.1%, and every member of staff from last academic year has remained at the school, a powerful indicator of a team that feels settled, supported, and committed. The school even opens over summer thanks to staff volunteers, a testament to the culture Donna has built.