Our role
The Phoenix School works with the young people at Cygnet Hospital Sheffield, an inpatient Tier 4 CAMHs unit, with a capacity of 38 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 Officers 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
Dave Best – Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Teacher of Maths and Exams Officer
Dave joined Cygnet Phoenix School in 2023 as a Teacher of Maths. Prior to this he has worked in mainstream education since 2008 teaching all aspects of the GCSE and A-Level maths curriculums. Dave was also subject leader for mathematics for four years.
Mary-Jo Brayford – Teacher of English and Designated Teacher CLA
Mary-Jo has worked at Cygnet Phoenix School as a Teacher of English since 2019. Prior to this, Mary-Jo worked in mainstream schools for 6 years teaching English at GCSE level and English Language A-Level. Mary-Jo is a GCSE examiner for English Literature.
Chloe Eagle – School Manager
Chloe has worked at Phoenix School since 2019, prior to which she worked in mainstream schools as SEMH coordinator alongside voluntary work facilitating support groups for adults with anxiety and low mood with local charity No Panic Sheffield. Chloe started at the Phoenix school as HLTA and has progressed to also be the School Manager.
Julie Flude – Teacher of PHSE, Art and Literacy booster classes
Julie has worked at Cygnet Phoenix School since 2016, during which time she has been employed as a supply teacher and Higher Level Teaching Assistant and now as a teacher. Julie now teaches Functional Skills English, PHSE and Art. Prior to this, Julie was a Teacher of English for 18 years in mainstream schools.
Monica Davis – Teacher of Science
Monica joined Phoenix school in 2024. Monica has been a science teacher in mainstream schools since 1997, teaching GCSE science and A level biology. Monica has formerly worked for the AQA as an examiner of GCSE biology. Prior to becoming a teacher, Monica worked in the pharmaceutical industry working with data from clinical drug trials.
Eric Redknapp - Options Teacher
Eric joined Cygnet Phoenix School in 2023 as an Options Teacher. Eric has previously worked in both SEMH and ASC specialist schools, as well as in PRUs.
Aimee McGillis - Teaching Assistant and Education Officer
Aimee completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary & Special Education with a concentration in Reading Methods in Pittsburgh, PA, USA in 2022 before moving to the UK and beginning to work as a supply Teaching Assistant. Aimee has worked with Phoenix School since 2023 as a Teaching Assistant and since 2024 as an Education Officer.
Yvette Washington-Scott –Teaching Assistant
Yvette has worked at Cygnet since 2014; she has an HND in care practice and initially worked on the rehab wards with adults in addition to working in the community with vulnerable young people. Yvette completed her Teaching Assistant qualification and secured her HLTA role within Cygnet Phoenix School in 2017.
Amy White – Teacher of PSHE and Literacy Ambassador
Amy has worked for Cygnet since 2015. Her first role for the company was Teacher of English and since then has enjoyed a range of roles. Prior to working for Cygnet, she taught in a variety of secondary schools across Sheffield and Rotherham.
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.
