Newark Orchard School's new headteacher says to be passionate about advocating for young people with special educational needs and disabilities
A man who changed his career after teaching an autistic pupil believes he gets to “fight the good fight” every day at work.
Matt Joyce stepped into the role of headteacher at Newark Orchard School, London Road, Newark in September this year.
The headteacher’s passion for the job also follows a positive Ofsted report, where the school maintained the standards for their previous inspections, where they were graded ‘Good’.
Mr Joyce said: “I believe that every person can succeed in a way that is meaningful to them regardless of diagnoses or difficulties.
“I also knew that I would need to carefully choose my first Headship.
“I wanted to join a school that cared deeply about their community but also felt ready to blaze a trail in the pursuit of becoming a centre of excellence, I saw that in the staff, students, and the parents and carers of Newark Orchard.
“It was one of the best decisions I've made in my career.”
Matt started his career as a mainstream primary teacher during the first seven years of his career and during that time he taught a young man with autism which he says changed his entire career.
He said: “I had to learn more about autism and how I could adapt my teaching to provide a space where he felt safe, heard and understood.
“He challenged me in ways that I hadn't been up to that point in my career but I quickly realised that he had lit a fire in me to learn more, to adapt my practice and to ultimately become an advocate for the rights of young people with special needs.”
After two years of teaching the young man, Matt knew that his future was in supporting people with special educational needs and disabilities, which he studied to become a qualified special educational needs coordinator and continue to develop his skills as a senior leader.
He followed to take his first job at a special school as an assistant headteacher, then progressed to deputy headteacher until the opportunity came up to lead Newark Orchard and he jumped at the chance.
Matt states that his role is to inspire and support the school’s staff to develop their practice and find new ways to allow the youngsters to succeed.
The headteacher added: “The job is challenging but I'm incredibly lucky to work with talented and passionate staff and truly inspirational young people.
“I like to think that every day, no matter the challenges, I get to 'fight the good fight', I get to spend all day with young people and staff who have committed themselves to care, compassion and aspiration- it's the best job there is.”
Orchard School caters for pupils aged from three to 18 and provides for a wide range of complex needs in brand new, purpose built premises.
It offers a range of facilities such as a hydrotherapy pool, an immersion room, a sensory room, soft play, life skills, and vocational skills along with a range of specialist curriculum rooms including Food Tech, D&T, Art and Science.
For the school’s future, Matt wants every member of staff and student to continue to be proud of the community they have created within the school and to deepen the links with mainstream colleagues for the betterment of all of the students.
