Name: Lindsay Watson
Professional Title: Headteacher
Background: Born in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, Lindsay began her career in education in 1998 as a Teaching Assistant in a large, challenging secondary school. After two years, she moved to the school she had attended during her own secondary education. While working there, she transitioned to part-time employment in order to complete a full-time degree, graduating in 2003 with a 2:1 (Hons) in Sport Studies, Special Needs and Inclusion in Society.
Lindsay then followed the GTP route into teaching and went on to spend 14 years teaching Physical Education. During this time, she also led the KS4 Foundation Learning curriculum and held the role of designated SENDCo. In September 2013, she was appointed Deputy Headteacher at an SEMH PRU in Wolverhampton, working within external services. In April 2017, Lindsay progressed to Headship, where she went on to establish an additional, much‑needed provision within the city for pupils with SEMH and medical needs. Over the past three years, she has also undertaken an interim Campus Lead role, supporting a second school on the same site that provides for students with SEMH and those presenting with more complex behavioural needs requiring highly structured support. Having completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership in 2016, Lindsay successfully achieved the NPQEL qualification in 2022.
Name of Organisation: The Vireo Academy
Status of Organisation: Part of the YES Trust and commissioned by Wolverhampton LA
Area of the Country: Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Description of your Organisation: Vireo Academy is a specialist provision supporting children and young people with medical, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Our core purpose is to transform lives by improving life chances through a holistic, nurturing and highly personalised approach to education. We work with primary and secondary‑aged learners referred from mainstream schools and medical and psychological practitioners. Provision is delivered through flexible pathways including home tuition, small‑group or one‑to‑one learning at the academy or within the home environment, and education within the hospital setting at New Cross Hospital.