Kerry Towers has been appointed to the post of headteacher at Cardrew Court School - a new independent special school for pupils in uppers KS2 through to KS4.

Many of these pupils will have found life in a mainstream school very challenging and will have experience of anxiety-based school refusal and/or of short-term placements in a range of alternative provisions. 

Cardrew Court School will provide these pupils with a permanent placement in a school that is able to personalise the curriculum and wider support offer to ensure that their specific special educational needs (education, health and care) are understood and met, enabling them to learn, apply and develop specific strategies to facilitate them in participating in learning and preparing for life beyond school.  

With over 18 years experience of working with children and young people with SEND, Kerry Towers has proved to be the perfect fit to lead the new school.

She says: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Headteacher of Cardew Court School. It’s my mission to provide the best possible educational experience, and outcomes to the learners of Cardrew Court School, and I’m privileged to be part of this new and exciting collaboration.”

Cardrew Court School is fully supported by the Special Partnership Trust (SPT) and is one of the few examples in the country of an independent school being partnered with a multi-academy trust.

SPT CEO, Guy Chappel, has praised the appointment and is eagerly anticipating the next steps in Cardrew Court School’s journey.

“We work side by side with the proprietors and trustees of the school. The Directors, Jim and Jeff Jenner share our views on quality standard and access to, and investment in specialist services,” he says. “This was an extensive recruitment process with an extremely high calibre of candidates. Kerry has a wealth of experience and her vision for the school was incredibly inspiring. We’re delighted to have her onboard and are very much looking forward to what the future brings.”

Jim Jenner adds: "We’re delighted to appoint Kerry Towers as head teacher. With a clear vision and a commitment to excellence, she will lead the school forwards for a bright future."

At this time, the SEN provision map in Cornwall utilises the development of high quality specialised independent provision to meet those needs that cannot be met in the existing SPT schools and wider LA networks. 

The development of this unique partnership ensures that this independent provider is supported by a specialist, high-quality, robust Trust with a clear focus on enhancing provision for SEN pupils in Cornwall and Devon.