Information

Meet the Staff

Principal | Vice Principal | Assistant Head - Curriculum
Head of Support Services | Head of Care | Head of Integrated Services

Gareth W Williams – Principal

During the past seventeen years as Principal of West Kirby Residential school I have led the school through four very successful Ofsted inspections. The overall evaluation of the last inspection was that; “This is an outstanding school providing exceptional value for money” and “Although attainment on entry to the school is very low, achievement is outstanding” .The report goes on to say “Progress is excellent across the school because the quality of teaching is outstanding”. Improvements since the school was last inspected have been excellent overall, with the school gaining further National Accreditations. The school has been successful in gaining; Investors in People (IIP) Bronze Award, Teaching Award – Team of the Year (Finalist), CPD Mark and an Ofsted Care Inspection in November 2010 which was deemed outstanding throughout. International School status has also been achieved due to our involvement with establishments both in South Africa and India (Footprints on the Map). I am passionate about this project and hopefully it will be a big part of the school for years to come.

As part of my own development, in 2001, I took part in the Leadership Programme for Serving Headteachers (LPSH). I found the course most rewarding not only in understanding leadership styles and adopting them to my staff/schools needs, but also as a useful tool to help me develop my Senior Leadership Team and Middle Managers to a level where I felt they would have the ability to lead their teams successfully within school. Again evidence of this can be seen throughout the Ofsted reports “The leadership and management of the school are outstanding”. “The Principal has a very strong vision for the future of the school and has high quality planning to support this” (Ofsted). “The Senior Management Team provide effective management and a clear leadership”; “The school is well managed and efficiently run, providing a safe and stable environment for the children for studying and living there” (CSCI ).

In May 2007, I was successfully accredited to become a School Improvement Partner (SIP). I saw this as a two way process, one as an opportunity of going out and seeing other similar schools and secondly an opportunity to assist others Heads and Governors in shaping their School Improvement Plans. My role supporting other schools and Local Authorities proved to be very enjoyable and helped me develop my leadership skills further.

Following my designation as a National Leader of Education and the school as a National Support School in October 2006, I along with members of my Senior Leadership Team have had the opportunity to meet and work alongside many other senior staff from within Local Authorities, Schools and The National College. The past twelve months have been very exciting as I have been working at Calday Grange Grammar School for two days per week as Executive Headteacher. This has been a challenge and an opportunity for me to further develop my leadership styles and skills. I have also recently completed a four day development programme with other outstanding Head teachers from the Wirral to become a Local Leader of Education. This again will give me the opportunity to support leadership beyond my own school and help make a real difference to children.

Also, being involved with National Organisations such as NASS, NAES and SEBDA, I continually update my knowledge and understanding of education, and have a strong commitment to improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools.

Peter Smith - Vice Principal

I started teaching in 1993 at a large secondary school in Birmingham where I taught Art. During this period I decided to specialise and this led to two years working in special education throughout Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool and the Wirral.

I studied for a Masters Degree in the Arts of Therapy and Education (Communication through the Arts) and graduated in 2004. I have exhibited my paintings at the Hanover Galleries in Liverpool, illustrated for the BBC Music Magazine, a number of other periodicals and I am presently involved in illustrating album/CD covers for a number of independent bands based in London and New York who share with me a similar value base.

I started at West Kirby Residential School in 2001 and became Assistant Head (Behaviour) in 2006. Since then I have led the BEST (Behaviour and Education, Support Team) who received a Commendation in the National Teaching Awards ‘Team of the Year’ category in 2010. I am a fully qualified Physical Intervention Instructor and continue to teach Art and Photography to Key Stage 4 pupils.

Since my appointment to Vice Principal in February 2011 I have been involved in working alongside our partner schools and universities, sharing our expertise in SEN with students, trainee teachers and other professionals. I oversee and maintain a very active part in the behaviour within the school and support the Principal in driving the school forward in local and national initiatives.

Fundamentally my vision is to motivate and encourage all pupils and staff at West Kirby Residential School to achieve their potential whilst fulfilling the criteria set down by the Governors, Directors and ultimately the Government.

Our mission is to ‘Change Children’s Lives – for the better – (with the help of parents and carers) and to prepare all members of our school to achieve their individual goals; goals that challenge but that are achievable and to provide the basis for growth, both as individuals and within a team, beyond school and into society.

Helen Campbell - Assistant Head - Curriculum

I trained as a teacher of mathematics and physical education and had worked in mainstream schools for twenty four years before joining West Kirby Residential School in January 2003. In previous schools I have gained a wealth of experience having worked as Head of Mathematics, Head of ICT, Assistant Head of Year and Social Inclusion Manager.

Although the pupils have a wide range of complex needs and have experienced difficulties in their school experiences I believe that they deserve the same opportunities to access education and accreditation as any other young person and in my role within West Kirby Residential School I aim to provide a suitable, balanced and varied curriculum and access to external accreditation for all courses that pupils undertake.

In my spare time I enjoy crosswords, swimming, walking, cycling and reading. I have a strong interest in animals but my commitments do not allow me to keep pets although I do ‘borrow’ various animals to look after during the school holidays.

Marilyn Josey - Head of Support Services

Marilyn was appointed to the school in 1996 following a career in Local Government in the West Country.

As Head of Support Services her role is varied managing the Business and Finances of the school for the Governing Body as well as Human Resources, Buildings and Facilities. She leads a team of over twenty staff and they all work to the schools philosophy that pupils here deserve the best we can give. The policies, systems, training and working practices she has developed are all in place with this aim in mind. She has worked with the School Council since its inception and has daily contact with the pupils, believing this to be an important part of her role.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team she has played a major part in strategic planning to move the school forward year on year, as well as advising and supporting colleagues. She has project managed numerous capital development schemes within the premises over the years which has changed the buildings internally beyond recognition, to a school fit to meet modern standards and the demands of the 21st Century, with further plans in the pipeline.

As well as developing the school Marilyn has ensured her own career has developed and holds a Certificate and Diploma in Management Services, a Certificate in School Business Management and is a Fellow of the National Association of School Business Managers. She also represents the school at a number of local and national conferences. Since 2004-2010 was a Treasurer of the Council of the National Association for Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools (NASS).

During her time at WKRS Marilyn has seen, and been instrumental in making, tremendous changes throughout many aspects of the school. A succession of awards cumulating in designation as an SEN College in September 2007 has been the result of a lot of planning and hard work by all the staff. The high service levels, supported by such a dedicated professional team, ensure our pupils get the best opportunities to believe in themselves and achieve their personal goals. “It is a privilege to work within this team and rewarding to work with the pupils”.

Yvonne Blackledge - Head of Care

“Changing Children’s lives’ - Yvonne has experience and knowledge in managing the residential care provision at the school. She has worked at the school for many years and was appointed to the post as Head of Care in 1997. Yvonne has relevant management qualifications in residential care.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team she works closely with The Principal and colleagues in areas of strategic and operational development. Yvonne leads a team of committed and dedicated childcare professionals and also oversees the medical department. She has high professional standards valuing and considering the views of all – young people, families, staff and the external agencies the school works with.

Boarding offers many advantages to the pupils, with residential provision ranging from 4 nights to pupils accessing regular overnight provision. Yvonne is a keen advocate of the benefits of the provision in improving the quality and “changing children’s lives”. She continually looks at raising standards so that the service continues to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children and young people at the highest level. Giving our pupils a sense of security, stability, a sense of fun, enjoyment, opportunity and achievement is essential.

The department has solid aims and objectives and inspecting bodies have reported outstanding care provision. Every child matters is at the heart of everything we do with those 5 key outcomes being essential to improving outcomes for children and young people and their families. Leaflets describe aspects of group living and give parents/carers details of who they can contact. Photographs are currently contained in the DVD, school prospectus and website.

West Kirby is a special place to be in and Yvonne feels privileged to work with fantastic children and young people and with skilled and enthusiastic staff who have the best interests of young people at heart which is central to our vision and aims.

“I am very proud to be the Head of Care in a successful school which provides excellent care for children and young people, as well as being is recognised for being welcoming, caring, friendly and inclusive. Every Child Matters is at the heart of what we do.”

Jon Hastie - Head of Integrated Services

Jon has over 29 years experience of working with children, young people and their families. He has worked for Social Services and Education Departments as well as private organisations throughout the UK. He has always had a very keen interest in ‘behaviour’ and has spent some time working closely with family therapists.

Jon has worked at the school as Deputy Head of Care since 1999. In 2003 he was appointed to the post of Head of the Behaviour and Education Support Team (BEST) in order to establish this support service within the school. As a result of the work carried out by BEST, West Kirby Residential School was awarded Specialist School Status in the area of SEN (Behaviour) in 2007. Jon also has a role to play as part of the Senior Leadership Team and is committed to improving outcomes for the pupils and developing the skills of the workforce within the school.

Jon has completed a National Programme for Specialist Leaders in Behaviour and Attendance and also gained his Residential Managers Award as well as an NVQ 4 “Working with Children and Young People”.

Jon was appointed to the post of SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) for the school in September 2008, with specific responsibility for ensuring that the school provides the appropriate resources in order that each pupil can achieve to their full potential, both socially and emotionally as well as academically.

In August 2005 Jon was registered as Severely Sight Impaired (Blind) and as a consequence of this, was matched with Guide Dog Yaron in August 2006. Yaron accompanied Jon to work every day and was extremely popular with staff and pupils. Unfortunately Yaron had to retire due to ill health in June 2011 and was re-homed in Devon in August 2011. Jon is currently waiting to be matched with a new Guide Dog.

In September 2011 Jon changed roles to manage the additional services that the school offers. As Head of Integrated Services Jon oversees the additional resources such as Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Behaviour and Education Support (BEST), Education Psychology and Reading Support. In taking up this new role, Jon aims to help West Kirby Residential School follow a more holistic approach to meeting the ever changing needs of complex children and young people. This is part of West Kirby Residential School’s drive to improve upon the excellent services we offer for the children, young people, their families/carers and the Local Authorities.

Phil Crossley – Member of SLT/SENIO

After qualifying in 1993 I spent 6 years teaching in mainstream primary schools, where my responsibilities included being an English and Science Co-ordinator, Head of Year and a Teacher Governor.

Whilst in mainstream I decided that I wanted to pursue an interest in Special Educational Needs that had developed when studying for a Bsc (Hons) in Psychology at Leeds University. This led to me leading and developing an EBD unit in Ellesmere Port.

After 2 years I applied for a post at West Kirby Residential School, where my current responsibilities include SENIO, Primary Co-ordinator and having responsibility for overseeing the ‘Quality of Teaching’ throughout the school.

As SENIO I have specific responsibility for ensuring that the school provides the appropriate resources in order that each pupil can achieve to their full potential, both socially and emotionally, as well as academically.

I believe that with the right interventions and support all pupils can progress towards meeting their full potential and that developing a sense of worth and self esteem is central to this. These are beliefs that I feel run through the culture and philosophy of the whole school and make it such an inspiring and dynamic place to work and learn.

At West Kirby Residential School the pupils' needs always come first.