Wishmore Cross Academy

Surrey, United Kingdom


Location: Surrey, United Kingdom
Type: Special Needs
Funding status: State - Academy
Gender: Boys
Age range: 11 - 16 years

About Wishmore Cross Academy

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Wishmore Cross is a Special Academy for up to 82 boys (with 80 currently on roll) aged 7 to 16 who have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. We provide a highly effective and individual package of education, care and pastoral support to young people who may have had only negative experiences of school. A safe, caring environment supported by high levels of staffing ensures that each pupil has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Based in Chobham, located close to both the M3 and M25 Motorways in the north-west corner of Surrey, the Academy draws pupils from a range of backgrounds, both urban and rural, across Surrey and also neighbouring LEAs.

We're an Academy with a big heart. Staff work closely as a team and pride themselves on never giving up on a pupil. This is, however, a challenging environment where resilience and a deep commitment to supporting young people with Special Educational Needs are paramount.

OFSTED

The Academy is currently under the leadership of the Executive Headteacher, Gareth Howells and Ricardo Hylton, Head of School, who both bring a wealth of experience of SEMH and leadership with them.  Since the school moved under their leadership, it is thriving despite the challenges that Covid-19 has brought to the education sector.  The OFSTED inspection in late September 2018 judged the Academy as ‘Requires Improvement’ but highlighted many strengths.  The staff team are working hard to secure the phased changes required whilst maintaining our child-centred approach to learning.

We are committed to reducing restrictive physical intervention and this helps to create an ethos where physical aggression is rare. We also make use of restorative justice and this is successfully helping pupils to develop self-control, a sense of empathy and an understanding of right and wrong. As a result, over their time in the Academy, pupils develop more tolerant and inclusive values.

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WHY JOIN OUR ACADEMY?

Staff Benefits

Development:

We are committed to developing all staff at all levels through high quality development opportunities, resources, and experiences  that will support you on your professional learning journey with AET.

Lifestyle:

We champion agile/flexible working across the Trust to help our people achieve an optimal work/life balance.

Money:

All staff have access to our pension schemes (Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme).  Everyone has free access to financial advice & support and can access a wide range of retail discounts through our AET Benefits scheme. We also offer Technology Loans to help with any big digital purchases.

Wellbeing:

We recognise that mental wellbeing is just as important as physical and have set up employee assistance programmes which offer free and confidential counselling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our employees can access our health cash place scheme from BHSF.

OUR TRUST

We are proud to be part of Academies Enterprise Trust (AET).

AET is a national family of 57 schools committed to delivering an excellent education that launches all the children in our care into a remarkable life. It is our deeply held belief that every child has something remarkable to offer and we see it as our duty to help each and every child find this within themselves.

Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At AET, we want all of our employees to feel included bringing their passion, creativity and individuality to work. We value all cultures, backgrounds and experiences, and we truly believe that diversity drives innovation.

AET is also an approved Apprenticeship Training Provider (through the ESFA) which allows us to deliver a wide range of apprenticeship programmes across the Trust and our school network. To find out more about what we offer click here.

We also offer teacher training programmes across our network. For more information please click here.

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Location

- Hidden from public

Address: Alpha Road, Chobham, Woking, Surrey, GU24 8NE, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1276 857 555
What people say about us

I originally trained as a social worker after graduating from university, but came to Wishmore Cross Academy after learning about its focus on nurture principles. Working as a Learning Support Assistant here has increased my knowledge of the needs of pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties and has taught me patience, empathy and resilience and has encouraged me to consider a future in teaching. My role as an LSA involves supporting the pupils both inside and outside the classroom, often on a one-to-one basis in order to manage any barriers to learning. I also help to deliver the literacy programme recently started by the Academy to support those pupils with lower reading and writing levels. Each day is varied and presents different challenges, but by far the most rewarding part of the job is getting to build relationships with the pupils and be part of even their smallest success

- Rebecca Harris - Learning support assistant

I joined Wishmore Cross Academy in 2010 as a Learning Support Assistant for P.E. with a view to progressing into teaching. I primarily worked supporting lessons and also on a one to one basis to help improve technique and understanding P.E. The Academy supported me through the Schools Direct Programme in conjunction with the Institute for Education and I am now a fully qualified P.E. Teacher. I really enjoy my role of delivering P.E. lessons to all Academy pupils. P.E. plays a big part in pupils’ social and personal development and I really enjoy helping and watching them grow. Each day at the Academy offers its own unique challenges and there is never a dull moment.

- Daniel Kelly - PE Teacher

I started working at Wishmore Cross Academy as a Learning Support Assistant in January 2011. After two years I was supported through the Schools Direct programme, linked with the institute of education, to achieve QTS and then through my NQT year. I currently teach KS3 maths and through the AET have had access to many subject enhancement training opportunities. I enjoy supporting our pupils in developing skills that enable them to access the curriculum. Every day is different at our school and brings its own unique challenge. I really value, also, the support that is offered to all staff from being part of a strong, experienced team.

- Laura Bartley - KS3 Teacher