I am delighted to have been appointed as Principal of Severndale Academy and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year and introduce myself to you. I would like to share my thoughts on the development of our academy vision, and explain how the reality of a joint approach to education, home, health and social care can make the difference to your child’s future.

Having spent 13 years in the teaching profession, with 10 years in Special Education, I feel privileged to have worked with such inspirational professionals in a variety of different settings in London, Birmingham and here in Shropshire. I return to Severndale after 3 years of working in Birmingham in an Outstanding Teaching School, developing SEN provision, establishing a 19-25 vocational centre, and supporting leaders of other schools in Special Measures or who Require Improvement.

There is much to celebrate and be proud of at Severndale and I am excited by the opportunity to lead our academy and our surrounding community into its next phase of development to ensure that every child has a happy, fulfilling and successful life, not just whilst they are with us, but continuing well into adulthood.

Engagement between the academy, parents/carers and other professionals is key to establishing productive partnerships that work creatively to shape the inclusive society we aim for. Adults with Learning Disabilities should have the opportunities to live as independently as they can with structures to support their contribution as citizens in their communities. We will strive to support this aspirational vision through our approach to curriculum delivery, involvement with others and a relentless focus on pupil outcomes. However we do not underestimate the impact and importance of the type of encouragement that comes from home.

I hope that this gives you a flavour of our academy vision and how we will strive to develop a collaborative model of inclusion; always with your children at the centre of what we achieve now and for their future.

Sabrina Hobbs
Principal