Background: Karen completed her education in Manchester before completing a degree in Microbiology and Virology at Warwick University and a PGCE at the University of Northumbria. She has taught in schools in Buckinghamshire, Malawi, Devon, Newcastle and has been a senior leader since 2003. She experienced headship in a mainstream secondary school prior to becoming the headteacher of Cloughside College in April 2017.
Name of Organisation: Cloughside College
Status of organisation: Cloughside College is a community special school based at a CAMHS tier 4 hospital
Area of the country: Bury
Description of your organisation:
Cloughside College has an intake from all areas of the Country. We provide education for learners who are receiving treatment for social, emotional and mental health issues and aim to inspire young people to achieve a brighter future. Young people attending the College can present with a wide range of conditions including suicidal ideation, psychosis, self-harm and eating disorders. Lengths of hospital stays can vary widely. We have a high turnover of students and place a great priority on focusing on next steps for young people. The College is based across two sites and includes a male adolescent medium secure unit and male and female day patient and inpatient units. College staff have excellent relationships with Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust staff and work closely with them to improve outcomes for young people. The College has specialist teachers in a large number of areas and well-resourced classrooms. This allows the delivery of a range of subjects and qualifications from entry level to A level as well as AQA Unit Awards. We have high quality technology equipment including a laser cutter, which supports learners to develop small enterprise projects in the Medium Secure Unit.
