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
Role: Alternative Provider 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.
D Swankie , Alternative Provider Mentor
Role: Alternative Provision Pastoral Mentor
Hobbies and interests: Football and spending time with the family.
Qualifications:
- Level 3 in Multi Sports
- Level 3 in Sports Coaching and Fitness
- Level 4 in Working with Young People and Children
- Level 5 in Working with Young People and Children
I have worked at The Woodlands school for over 7 years. Throughout my time at The Woodlands I have worked and as a learning Support Assistant (LSA), a KS4 Pastoral Mentor and my current role is an Alternative Provision Pastoral Mentor. Whilst working at The Woodlands I have been able to gain vital knowledge and a great understanding of how to help and support our pupils and their families. My unique approach is one of the reasons I am able to gain positive working relationships with our pupils, their families and our AP’s. My role as an AP Pastoral Mentor is to identify an AP that will suit our pupils’ individual needs. I then am able to support, nurture and guide our pupils that are out on AP whilst working closely with the AP’ themselves.
K Gibson, Alternative Provider Mentor
Role: Alternative Provision, Pastoral Mentor
Hobbies and interests: I enjoy both playing and watching football and I have been a Sunderland season ticket holder for 4 years now. I also enjoy spending my evening and weekends out walking the dog and spending time with family and friends.
Qualifications:
- Level 4 in Health and Social Care.
I have worked at The Woodlands School for over 5 years now. Throughout my time at The Woodlands, I have worked as a KS3 Mentor before moving to my current role as an AP Mentor. Working with young people is rewarding and it is satisfying to see the pupils’ progress both academically and pastorally. Through working at The Woodlands, I have come to realise that not all pupils are the same and all come from different backgrounds, but all deserve the chance for success. I am a true believer in a fresh start, so as a mentor I will try my best to offer support and guidance to every pupil that I work with.
S Hewitson, Alternative Provider Mentor
Role: Alternative Provision Pastoral 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