Athena Education Support CIC

Sandra has over 30 years of working in education and training.  She started her career in South Africa teaching classes of 40+ children.  In 2002 Sandra immigrated to England, finding herself in Watton, where she taught Food Technology at Wayland High School.  She was promoted to Pastoral Lead (year 9) and Faculty Head over the next few years.  She moved to Great Yarmouth in 2008 and took up the post of Assistant Headteacher at Lynn Grove High School, which was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2010.  In 2012, Sandra, as Deputy Head (Pastoral), was instrumental in setting up and running Beccles Free School.  Her area of leadership was judged outstanding by Ofsted in 2014.  She went on to lead the school as Head of School from January to April 2015.

 During her years in mainstream education, Sandra was passionate about promoting student leadership, coaching and mentoring and community cohesion. She set up Student Leadership Programmes including The Junior Chef Programme and Peer mentoring,  Parent and Family Workshops such as ‘Saturday is Family Cook Day’, Parent and children events and community engagement such as community gardening and inter-generational activities with local residential and care homes.  Some of the most valuable partnerships were with local education, social and health services and local businesses and organisations such as the Rotary Club, RAF and Norwich City Football Club.

 In 2015 Sandra decided to leave mainstream leadership and move into special education.   She initially headed the engagement department, working to ensure that students who were permanently excluded received quality provision and were prepared for life before taking up the position of leadership mentoring and Accounting Officer for the organisation. In 2017, Sandra took up the Headship of an AP Free School for children who had been permanently excluded or managed moved due to their significant behaviour concerns.  Within 7 months, she led the school out of an Inadequate Ofsted rating.

 In 2019, Sandra together with a group of passionate and dedicated individuals set up Athena Education Support CIC whose core aim is to offer support, advice, guidance to prepare vulnerable children for adult life and individuals and families for positive functioning both as a unit and in society.

In 1994, Julie started her career in education at The Charles Burrell School in Thetford, initially working part-time as a Learning Support Assistant and then promoting into the role of Assistant Senco.  She has significant experience with leading statement/EHCP reviews, exam dispensation support for children and line managing Support Assistants. 

In 2013, Julie, together with 3 colleagues, successfully applied and opened a Free School.  Julie was part of the Leadership Team and was responsible for all pastoral matters including pupil assessment and induction. She worked intensively with both children and their families helping to support and manage behaviour, make multi-agency referrals and secure sustainable partnerships for the benefit of every child.  Julie is also a trained Designated Safeguarding Lead and Attendance Officer and her role in these were instrumental in the school securing support for children on County Lines, CME and CLA.  All external inspections noted the effectiveness of the school’s safeguarding and attendance procedures.

 As exams officer, Julie was able to work with pupils and families on a personalised qualifications flightpath that inspired aspirations and personal success.  In the last few years, the school had 0% NEET pupils. 

As Julie is passionate about minimising the negative impact of mental health difficulties on children’s lives and doing everything possible to secure better life chances for each, she together with Sandra opened a new Trust that was dedicated to the child at its centre.  Her focus is on ensuring that the support for every child is available through partnerships with families and other professionals

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CPD accredited, Disability Confident Employer

Therapeutic support on offer include:

Mindfulness and Psychotherapy

Art Therapy

Drama Therapy

Life Coaching

Careers Advice and Guidance