Alternative Provision – Meet the Team

N Read, Lead for Alternative Provision and Senior Leadership Team

Role: Alternative Provision and Curriculum Lead for KS3 and KS4
Hobbies and interests: Football and spending time with my dogs.

Qualifications:

• BA Hons Degree in English Language and Literature
• National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership
• NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
• NPQSL

I have had the privilege of working in Education for over twenty years and have taught in Primary, Secondary, Pupil Referral and Education Health and Needs. I have been a Pastoral Leader for many years and take great pride in the achievements of all of my students; in all of the varying settings I have worked in. I am very passionate that students are given every opportunity for success and the life skills to move forward in education.

K Carleton, Alternative Providers Teacher

Qualifications:

• B Sc (Hons) in Education
• Qualified SENDCo
• NPQL

Born and raised in the mining towns of Northwest Durham and having not enjoyed school myself I decided I would like to try to help improve things for the next generation.

I have over twenty years teaching experience, almost all of which has been spent supporting those students who, for whatever reason, struggle to access education.  A wise man once told me ‘Education is a privilege that can so easily be wasted on the young.’  I hope I can help our learners take advantage of the opportunities they have and build a solid base for adult life.

S Knaggs , Alternative Provider Mentor

I have been working with children for the last 16 years, this has been nursery to primary and now secondary. I have always worked with children who struggle with many aspects of school life. With my new role as AP mentor I hope to be able to show these children that there is people who believe in them and want to help them to get the best for themselves.

S Hewitson, Alternative Provider Mentor

Hobbies and interests: Spending time with the family.

Qualifications:

• Residential Child Care Officer, NVQ level 3 –Children and Young People.
• NVQ Assessor

I have worked with Children and young people throughout my working life in a variety of educational settings and have gained a wealth of knowledge which I use extensively throughout my working day.

I am also responsible for the transport for placement and work closely with staff to facilitate the smooth movement of pupil’s to their placements

• BSc (Hons) Psychology degree

Rebecca Waite, Alternative Provider Mentor

Qualifications

• BA Honours in Education Studies

I have worked within childcare and education for 18 years, starting off in early years and gaining experience in primary, secondary and Post 16. I have mainly worked in specialist settings and I have seen, and been part of the amazing opportunities that are offered to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and emotional and behavioral difficulties. Throughout those years, I have focused on ensuring that children and young people are heard and I have a great awareness that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to education. For a lot of our young people, the demands of mainstream can be quite overwhelming. I strive to provide environments where children and young people can build upon their self-esteem and self-worth, increase their academic abilities and gain positive social interactions. I will continue to build relationships with children, young people and their families to ensure a smooth transition into alternative provision, alongside providing support and guidance around future aspirations.

I am originally from Leeds and I grew up watching Leeds United – some would say that’s unfortunate! I love walking in Northumberland and exploring beaches, parks and castles through the National Trust with my little boy Jack and my dog Zeus.