Our ethos and leadership

Who We Are

The ContinU Plus Academy (CPA) is an Alternative Provision Free School. We are the brainchild of the ContinU Trust, a charitable company established by the seven secondary schools of the Wyre Forest and Hagley, and Kidderminster college with partner members from  the Universities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Barnado’s  and Worcestershire County Council.

Our Academy was opened in September 2013 and benefits from being housed in a purpose built site. We have the capacity for 90 pupils aged 11-17, who for a wide variety of reasons have disengaged or experienced difficulties in mainstream education.

We have a highly trained, compassionate and committed group of staff and governors who work in unison to positively impact on our students’ self-esteem, academic potential and post 16 destinations.

The CPA is not one size fits all school and our students reap the rewards of innovative and bespoke curriculum by using Outdoor Education, delivering highly engaging and relevant lessons, we offer vocational, therapeutic and academic pathways according to need.

Here at CPA we are committed to challenging our students and developing their resilience, their empathy with others and their social and cultural awareness.

“Magic happens here – I’ve never been better” – Kyle year 8

Every CPA student will experience:

• An aspirational and targeted approach to their learning, demanding the best out of each student
• Access to high quality teaching delivered in small groups with skilled professionals providing accelerated literacy and numeracy to narrow the gaps
• Use of a brand new building designed with our young people in mind
• Outdoor Education and a Commitment to Learning Outside the Classroom
• One to one support when needed, targeting the core reasons for lack of engagement in the past
• An Individual Pupil Passport that shows clearly individual targets, support plans and progress
• An assigned Learning Guide and Qualified form teacher to provide coaching and to build self esteem
• Care, respect and individual attention

Our Headteacher: Sara Devo

Sara launched the school in 2013 using her extensive experience from within mainstream and special education settings.  In addition to her undergraduate degree and PGCE, Sara is a qualified SENCO.

Prior to leading the team at CPA Sara was Assistant Head of a SEMH special school in Warwickshire.

Sara is deeply committed to vulnerable learners and has an open door policy for staff, pupils and parents.  The school motto ‘We will work it out’ runs through the heart of the school and Sara’s leadership style.

Governors

Rob Chadwick – Chair of Governors

After graduating from the London school of Economics with an Economics degree Rob Chadwick worked for a while in Banking before entering Teaching. Since then he has held leadership roles across the education sector including 11-18 and 13-18 schools, a Sixth Form College, a large FE College, the former Learning and Skills Council, a Local Authority and is currently, the Director of the ContinU Trust partnership of Wyre Forest and Hagley schools and Kidderminster College. He has also acted in a governor capacity in all three age phases including a Further Education College where he takes an active involvement in research around Apprenticeships and Vocational progression routes.

Antonio Adamo – Governor

Until July 2016 Tony worked at CPA as a part time teacher of D&T, now working as a freelance photographer and support for media events. Much of his work is now photography based, though also complete film and music for film projects. When the opportunity arises Tony teaches DT and Media.

Julie Reilly – Governor

Julie’s career in education spans over forty years,working in four educational authorities,experiencing different types of schools in a variety of roles,headteacher,trainer,mentor and consultant leader. Twenty years of headship experience within the Wyre Forest in the middle and secondary sectors with a proven track record of raising pupil performance has enabled her to support the leadership and management of the CPA.
Julie’s main contribution as Governor is her extensive knowledge and understanding of SEND and Safeguarding.

Nick Parker – Governor

Nick has worked in public, private and voluntary sectors specialising in housing management, regeneration, including support services including Family Support. Between 2003 and 2012 Nick managed a Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder in Wyre Forest and was a member of the Department for Communities and Local Government Working Group looking at Neighbourhood Management. He is now Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods at The Community Housing Group.
He has been Board member of Housing Associations and served as Parent School Governor.