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
Julie Reilly – Chair of Governors
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.