Our role
The Excel & Exceed Centre works with patients at Cygnet Hospital Bury, a residential Tier 4 CAMHS unit with a capacity of 42 pupils.
As well as getting the therapy they need, pupils study a range of national curriculum subjects through personalised learning and support. By taking this approach this allows pupils to make progress in their learning and emotional wellbeing, so once discharged they have the confidence and self – belief to progress further.
We are passionate about the young people in our care and will always go the extra mile to support them in their chosen educational or vocational journey – we use structured but flexible approaches to education to improve our pupil engagement.
Our support
We are a team of fully qualified Teachers and Teaching Assistants who provide education to young people aged 12 – 18 who have been admitted into our CAMHS hospital.
We will aim to visit your child on the first day of admission to make appropriate arrangements for them to attend school and to complete our school induction. Our Education Officer will also contact the pupils school and work with them to ensure the existing educational pathway can be followed.
We are a registered as a DfE Exam Centre which means we are able to hold GCSE and other Functional Skills exams on site.
Teaching is conducted in designated classrooms or on ward if the young person is not able to attend, we also involve the young people in activities away from the school such as at our allotment or on school trips.
We create an Individual Education Plan for all pupils and these are reviewed and updated each half term showing the progress being made. We attend ward rounds a CPA meetings at which we provide school updates/advice and assistance in all matters relating to education to ensure a joined up approach.
Our joined up approach means that when one of our pupils is due to be discharged we will be aware and will contact your child’s school to let them know when to expect a return/provide information about the discharge.
Meet the Team
Wendy Webster – Head Teacher and Safeguarding Lead
Wendy joined Cygnet in September 2022. She has worked in education for over 20 years with the majority of her experience gained in the Pupil Referral Service, Special Education and with young people with complex needs. She has a complete and passionate commitment to equality of opportunity for all.
Wendy has taught a wide range of exam and vocational subjects, but she has a special interest in Art Therapy and the importance of communication, in whatever form, in supporting Mental Health recovery. She knows that guiding students towards re-engaging with their educational journey and finding a vision for their future is a key to success in all aspects of their life.
Jayne Rowlands - School Manager, Designated Teacher for Children Looked After and Education Officer
Jayne has a Masters in Leadership of School Mental Health and Wellbeing and a BSc First Class with Honours degree in Integrated Children and Young People’s Practice and a First Class PGCE in Education 14+ with over 20 years’ experience of working with children aged 4-18.
Jayne has a keen interest in mental health and moved from mainstream to Cygnet seven years ago. Jayne is passionate about supporting our young people to be the best they can be and is in supporting a whole school approach to mental health. She is an LGBTQ+ ally and worked with the team to achieve the Rainbow Flag Award.
John Morrison – Teacher of Maths
John has taught Maths at Excel and Exceed since January 2020. Before this John worked in a mainstream school for 13 years. John studied Mechanical Engineering at Liverpool University before completing a Maths PGCE at The University of Manchester.
Nina Ward – Teacher of English
Nina has been a teacher since 2004, having worked in schools across the Greater Manchester area, in a variety of academic and pastoral roles. Her subject specialism is English however over the course of her career has taught Drama, Media Studies and History. Nina has worked in mainstream schools up until this point and took the role at Cygnet in January 2021 to help her further her knowledge in working with young people who have experienced mental health issues.
Louise Hardwick – Teacher of Geography, Humanities and Options subjects
Louise has been teaching at Excel and Exceed Centre since 2017. Louise is a geography teacher and worked in mainstream for 10 years before working at Excel and Exceed. Louise is passionate about geography but has also taught across the humanities and option subjects. Louise is currently studying to become a SENCO. She enjoy crafts and art and has taught young people how to crochet in school. She enjoys crochet, reading and walking her dog when she is not in work.
Sally Craig – Teacher of Art & Design
Sally has taught Art and Design part-time at Excel and Exceed since September 2020. Before this Sally worked in a mixed independent school for 10 years teaching Art Textiles. She studied a BA Hons in Constructed Textiles at Liverpool John Moores University and did her Art PGCE at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Shaneela Joshi – Teacher of Science
Shaneela has worked at Excel and Exceed since 2017 as the Science Teacher. She specialises in human biology and has an interest in healthcare. Shaneela has a keen interest in dyslexia and is currently working towards an accreditation in dyslexia.
Joanne Rider – Teacher and Exams Officer
Joanne has a BSc (Hons) in Marine Science and a PGCE in Secondary Science and is passionate about being on and around the oceans. Joanne has worked at Cygnet for since 2017 and teaches science, Post 16, PSHE and is also the Exams Officer.
Charlie Dwyer – Teaching Assistant
Charlie has worked as a Teaching Assistant at Excel and Exceed since September 2021. He specialises mostly in maths and geography, having studied geography at university and subsequently teaching maths as a trainee teacher in 2020/21. He also has a background in private tuition across a range of subjects, so enjoys every aspect of the curriculum. When not in work, Charlie likes travelling and walking in nature, and also has an interest in football.
Lauren Hoarty – Teaching Assistant
Lauren joined the team in September 2022. Lauren studied Childcare and Education at Bury College and she is interested sailing. Every weekend Lauren trains young people in sailing and also takes part in sailing races.
Chloe Young – Education Officer
Chloe joined Cygnet in September 2022, she has previously worked with LAC in the community and in a residential service for males with autism and learning disabilities. She has a passion for ensuring all young people have access to education and have the tools to build their best possible future. Chloe studied BA Hons Dance at Leeds Beckett University and has delivered dance and physical activity workshops in secondary schools across Leeds, for a mental health and resilience project in partnership with Leeds Beckett University. Chloe is keen to further her knowledge on education for young people and is looking forward to working with the young people at Cygnet.
Shannon Simms – Education Support Worker
Shannon has worked at Cygnet since September 2021 and joined Excel and Exceed in November 2022 as an Education Support Worker. Shannon completed a year of History studies at the University of York before transferring to Liverpool Hope University and achieving a First Class BA (Hons) in Education and SEN in June 2023- her dissertation having focussed on mental health. In addition to this, Shannon has subject interests in Art, Psychology and Sociology alongside that of History. Future plans for Shannon include completing her PGCE in order to become a teacher and to continue working in the education sector.
Rachel Rix – National Special Education Needs Co-Ordinator
Rachel has been in her role at Cygnet since 2019. She has worked as a teacher for 30 years, in a variety of roles including a textiles teacher, Head of Design and Technology, Head of Key Stage 3, Head of Pastoral Care, School Safeguarding Lead, SENCo, Assistant Headteacher and Acting Deputy Headteacher. Rachel qualified as a headteacher in 2009, and has worked with special and additional need students for over 15 years in mainstream and specialist settings.
Kirsty Massey – Assistant SENCO
Kirsty joined Cygnet Schools in January 2023. Prior to this, Kirsty worked in mainstream schools for 8 years in a variety of pastoral support roles including House Leader, Behaviour Support Officer and as an Early Help Practitioner. Kirsty studied BA (Hons) History at Sheffield Hallam University and has a PGCE in Secondary History from The University of Sheffield.
Helen Trafford – National School Administration & Finance Officer
Helen has worked at Cygnet since 2020. Before joining Cygnet, Helen completed all aspects of administration and some Business Manager work in mainstream schools, in addition to having spent some time supporting the MASH Team for the Local Authority. Prior to this, Helen worked for Royal Bank of Scotland for over 25 years in a variety of roles including Performance Management, Project Management, Recruitment and Branch Management.
