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Meet the Team

 

Headteacher - Kuldip Berdesha

Kuldip has extensive experience in the SEMH field. She has led an SEMH team at Local Authority level offering outreach and training. Her latest experience has been as Headteacher of a successful Alternative Provision in another LA. 

Kuldip is passionate about helping our most vulnerable children back into appropriate provision and making a real difference to their lives.

 

Deputy Headteacher - Kate Rock

Kate joined Unity Academy after working in a successful alternative provision in another LA, as Deputy and Acting Head.

She is a great believer in a holistic approach – seeing the whole child and building on enrichment opportunities for all learners.  Kate is passionate about developing an environment to enhance all children’s learning and has trained to teach Nurture, which she does once a week with each class.

Kate has a range of experience working within the SEMH field, both within mainstream and Alternative Provision.  She is also a qualified SENDCo and uses these skills as Inclusion Manager at Unity Academy, to support staff and children to access all areas of learning and aid smooth transitions.

 

School Business Manager - Steph Walker

Steph has worked within the Rivers CofE Academy Trust for several years and knows the Trust's systems and ethos well. She manages Unity Academy's office, site, finances and human resources. 

Steph is also the Rivers' Trust Attendance Officer and works across all Trust schools advising on pupil attendance ensuring consistency of approach and improvements.

 

 

Class Teacher - Amy Sisley

Amy is new to the Rivers CofE Academy Trust, although not new to teaching.  She has spent 14 years working as a mainstream primary teacher across all key stages, before following her passion to work specifically with SEMH children.  Prior to working at Unity Academy, Amy worked at a similar PRU setting in Sandwell for 3 years.

Amy has led a range of subjects over her career, but in more recent years has been focusing on the leadership of Maths which she continues to do at Unity alongside leading Science.

 

Class Teacher - Amie Spencer

Amie has been teaching for 6 years in the Wyre Forest district and knows the local area well. She has her NASENCO qualification and has worked in all key stages. Her main focus has been Lower Key Stage 2 and Early Years.

Amie has also led a variety of subjects and worked in Kidderminster Early Years Language class. At Unity Amie leads on SEND and Key Stage 1 English.

 

Class Teacher - Sara Stevenson

Sara has worked within the Rivers CofE Academy Trust for several years and knows the Trust's curriculum and ethos well. She has taught across a range of age groups.

Sara is also a qualified SENCO and has a passion for ensuring all children reach their full potential. At Unity Sara leads on the Curriculum, ICT and Key Stage 2 English.

 

HLTA - Nicola Young

Nicola joined Unity Academy after working in an Alternative Provision in another LA. Before this she has gained many years experience in mainstream primary settings working across all key stages.

Nicola has had extensive training in Childrens Learning and Development, Understanding Childrens Mental Health and Behaviours, Counselling, Development through Play, Forest School Leader training, Nurture training, Phonics training including Reading Strategies, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Understanding Autism and Special Education Needs and provides appropriate intervention support with children daily, monitoring and assessing their individual needs.

Nicola believes in a holistic education, giving all students a positive learning experience personalised to meet a child’s individual skills, feelings, progress and well-being.

 

Teaching Assistant - Amy Pratt

Amy has worked in Alternative Provision schools for twelve years.   Working alongside children with challenging behaviour and mental health difficulties.  As a result, she is experienced in dealing with students who have faced early childhood trauma and other related issues leading her to develop strategies and methodology to help support these students.

Amy is very energetic and loves a challenge.  She has gained extensive training over the years, including Safeguarding, Dyslexia, First aid and many other training enabling her to cope with adverse situations.

 

Teaching Assistant - Sarah Street

Sarah has worked in education for 15 years in both mainstream and alternative provision. Her 15 years started as a volunteer at a local primary school where she discovered a passion for working with SEMH children. She then became a Teaching Assistant and jointly ran a nurture provision.

Sarah is proud to have trained her own dog to become a fully licenced Therapy Dog who supported the children she worked with.

She has also completed the THRIVE practitioners licence and spent several years working alongside the behavioural team at a primary school before moving to The Beacon PRU where she spent 6 years before transferring to Unity Academy.

 

Teaching Assistant - Carl Trevitt

Carl has been working in schools for the last 14 years, initially running Martial Arts and Self-Defence classes. For the last 5 years Carl has been working at a Secondary AP school in Kidderminster as a Teaching Assistant, before joining Unity Academy last year.

Carl currently runs a Martial Arts Class at Unity as part of our PE lessons.

Carl has a passion for working with children and young adults in an SEN and SEMH setting.

 

Family & Community Support Officer - Will Ganniclifft

Will is new to Rivers CofE Academy Trust. Prior to working at Unity Academy, Will worked at a similar alternative provision setting in Sandwell for a year and loved it. Every day is different.

Will has worked hard to develop his skills in working with young people and families. He has a passion for supporting families and strives to get them the help that they need.

 

Outreach Support HLTA - Stevie-Leigh Bourne

Stevie joined Unity Academy in January 2024 after working in Early Help Family Support for the local authority, where she offered support and guidance to families and schools.  Before this, Stevie gained many years of experience working with young children across mainstream settings, particularly in the Early Years managing a pre-school and nursery setting. 

Stevie has completed a range of training on children's development, managing behaviour that challenges, safeguarding and special educational needs. 

 

Office Administrator - Jodie Tormey

Jodie is new to The Rivers Academy Trust but has over 15 years experience in administration and a passion for education.

She is responsible for welcoming new students and their families to the setting and is looking forward to helping to build Unity Academy into a highly regarded and successful alternative provision. 

 

Kitchen Assistant and Cleaner - Mary Davis

Mary has worked as a school lollipop lady, dinner lady and school cleaner in various settings before joining Unity Academy. 

Mary serves our lunches and looks after our kitchen, as well as helping to keep our school clean and tidy.

 

Cleaner - Diane Carpenter

Diane has worked in various schools as a cleaner before joining Unity. She works alongside Mary to keep our school clean, tidy and welcoming.

 

Caretaker - George Dealaselle

George has worked in maintenance roles in many different sectors. From commercial portering to industrial fitting, being a caretaker at Unity Academy is the perfect in between.

Whilst not a member of teaching staff, George has a passion for education having taught basketball and reading skills to Key Stage 4 pupils and - in his spare time - creates educational guides on YouTube.