Meet the Leadership Team
Craig Abbs – Headteacher
Craig has been in teaching for 15 years and is passionate about teaching, learning and the social and emotional development of the students and recognises and values the opportunities provided by a collocated specialist SEMH and SLCN provision with a short break (respite) residential facility.
For 12 of those years, Craig has taught in Alternative Provision and Special schools. He is passionate about the pupils getting local high-quality provisions that will meet their needs He has held Leadership roles for 7 years in a variety of provisions.
He has lived in South Gloucestershire for much of his life and previously worked in Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset.
Craig will often be out running, cycling or walking the dog. He is keen on sports, recently completing the Cotswold 70.3 Triathlon.
Catherine Roberts - Deputy Headteacher
Catherine completed her BA(Hons) and PhD in Modern Languages before completing a PGCE at the University of Bath. She worked in mainstream schools as a teacher, residential tutor and middle leader for over a decade before studying for an MSc in Psychology of Education at Bristol.
Since completing her masters, Catherine has worked in the SEN sector. She is passionate about enabling pupils to attain academically and supporting them to develop the social and personal skills they need to become positive and productive members of their communities.
Andrew Welsh - Assistant Headteacher - SEMH
Andy worked in the supported housing sector before becoming a mainstream secondary school teacher in 2008. Working in Bristol and Gloucestershire as a middle leader, he developed an interest in and commitment to supporting young people to overcome barriers to their engagement with learning.
After completing a postgraduate course in the Psychology of Education, Andy taught in a pupil referral unit for several years before moving into senior leadership, joining Soundwell Academy when it moved to its new site in 2021.
Martha Green - Assistant Headteacher - SLCN