Mark Jeffries – Head Teacher
It is an absolute pleasure to be headteacher of Wetheringsett Manor School and to be a part of so many success stories for our students. I initially came to Wetheringsett in June 2021 and quickly realised the potential of the site and school.
Since starting my role, I have been able to oversee the planning and construction of the Gym, Horticulture, Catering, Music studio and Science classrooms. We have also been able to improve the provision to incorporate Therapeutic outcomes for our pupils addressing Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy.
I have been working in special education for the last 22 years, which I believe has given me a great insight into what can be achieved through determination and sheer willingness to succeed.
I firmly believe in establishing a school ethos where all barriers to success are challenged and pupils and staff work together to achieve. Some days can be challenging but, from experience these are usually the days that provide the greatest progressions.
I feel very proud to be the headteacher of a staff team that are always putting our students first and helping them to be successful learners both socially and academically.
My own background for teaching is in Maths and P.E, and I am also a qualified SENCo which enables me to have further impact when planning a successful school. Some of my favourite days are still when I manage to get the opportunity to get back in the classroom.
Outside of being a headteacher, I am a keen sportsman and still enjoy playing football, golf and most other sports. My footballing love is Liverpool FC and I also have a soft spot for Ipswich Town whom I used to work for as a football coach. This has always given pupils the chance to have a some fun at my expense, depending on results!
Carly Hind – Designated Safeguarding Lead
I’ve been at WMS since January 2021. I started as a Pastoral Manager and have since moved across to Family Liaison Officer and Safeguarding Lead. I have worked with students for the last 20 years in various pastoral and teaching roles and have found that the support and care we give at WMS is unsurpassed.
I love interacting with our students and their families and coming together as a team to help each and every child achieve to their fullest potential. I feel that we are a vital part of a student’s development and it is because of our encouragement and support that they are able to move on to have successful futures.
Kay Park – Head of Education
I’ve been at Wetheringsett since it opened and the amazing amount of changes that have happened since has been incredible. Our curriculum has grown exponentially and has allowed students to find a passion for subjects that they had never explored before. With the ongoing site development, we are able to expand the curriculum and allow even more exciting opportunities for students so that they are all able to meet their full potential.
I have a great interest in Special Needs Education and have spent the last 20 years working with students with special needs in multiple countries around the world, with the last 12 in England. I genuinely feel that students with Special Needs deserve the best possible educational experience as they have too often been previously rejected by the education system and have only seen the negative side of education. At WMS we pride ourselves on developing a positive environment for our students that will allow them to have positive experiences with education that will allow them future success in whichever arena they choose.
Although I trained as a Social Sciences Teacher (History/Geography/PSHE/Humanities/Citizenship), I have spent my teaching career in small settings, so have been responsible for teaching GCSE Music, Science, Food Technology, Art and Public Services to name a few! I recently completed my Masters Degree in Special Needs Education with a focus on ADHD and ASC education which I feel has helped me help our students to a greater extent.
Louise Double- SENco
I’ve been SENCO at Wetheringsett Manor since June 2022 after previously working at one of the OFG sister schools for over 25 years. I have taught a wide range of subjects and worked with pupils from KS2 up to KS5. Over my time here i have helped with the growth of the school, which has expanded dramatically over the last couple of years to include lots of vocational subjects as well as the more traditional classroom based ones.
My role helps ensure that this excellent academic and vocational curriculum is delivered within a therapeutic and nurturing environment. We build excellent relationships with pupils, families and other professionals working together to get the best for everyone. I am proud to be part of this school team.
I’m a big Ipswich Town fan and attend most home games, I also like listening to live music and enjoy going to concerts. It doesn’t matter to me what decade the music is from but listening to a band live is something difficult to beat.
I fully believe that our pupils have an excellent opportunity to do well here, and with a dedicated staff team who are passionate and determined to make a difference and gain the best possible outcomes for each of them. The best part of my role is seeing the success of pupils who have had previously negative experiences of school. Watching them flourish here within our school and helping them prove to everyone that they can achieve whatever they want if motivated properly.
Perry Smith- Behaviour and Welfare Lead
My name is Perry Smith and I am the Behaviour and Welfare Lead at WMS.
I have worked in multiple schools for over 15 years with a focus on care, behaviour and wellbeing. We have developed an ethos of care and consideration at WMS that I feel helps our students develop their own self-regulation and emotional wellbeing in a safe and supported environment. I feel that the work we do with students in invaluable and our focus on personal development for all students is unsurpassed through all of the schools that I have worked in.
I am also a trained CPI Lead (Crisis Prevention Institute) for the company and conduct training to help staff across multiple schools gain confidence in their understanding and management of student’s behaviour in a positive way.
I am emphatically passionate about trying to help our students see the best in themselves and each other and believe that our positive approach helps students develop their own positive self-belief and I encourage this amongst staff and students every day.
Isabelle Cant- Lead Clinician + Speech and Language Therapist
I have been a part of Wetheringsett Manor School since September 2022. Throughout my career, I have worked in several schools and health settings, gaining experience in supporting neurodivergent individuals and those who have experienced trauma.
Since April 2024, I have been leading the in-house clinical team, which includes Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychotherapy, and Therapy Assistants. Our school clinical team provides both direct and indirect support to students and collaborates with external agencies to ensure the best outcomes for them, such as making referrals to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The team is highly skilled and enthusiastic, making it a pleasure to work alongside them.
I am a Speech and Language Therapist by profession, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy (BSc). I am also a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) within the school. I have completed SCERTS training and am a qualified ELKAN and Signalong tutor. Additionally, I am a registered member of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC). My training includes safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, therapeutic work with self-harm and sexually harmful behaviour, as well as domestic abuse champion training.
I am passionate about helping young people develop healthy friendships and relationships. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature, going for runs, engaging in creative activities, and being with loved ones.