As we open our doors for another exciting year at The HyFlex Academy, we have been reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve been on. Last year marked the launch of our HyFlex Academy, and honestly, what a year it was!
When we first opened our doors, we had a vision to create something different. We built our foundation on principles that we knew mattered; flexible learning, adaptive curriculum and starting with engagement to build person-centered pathways from there.
We’ve seen attendance levels that we’d never experienced before. Students who previously struggled are now achieving qualifications. But perhaps most importantly, we’re hearing something we never expected – students asking when they can come back! That simple question tells us everything about how far we’ve come.
Learning truly isn’t one size fits all, and last year proved that our approach works. Every success story, every breakthrough moment, every time a student discovered something new about themselves, it all reinforced what we believed from the start – when you meet young people where they are and build from there, incredible things happen.
Growing our team & strengthening our mission
This year, we’re welcoming new and returning students and to continue on our mission to support those children who need adaptive learning we have been building our team further. We’ve expanded our incredible team to make sure we can offer even more to every young person who walks through our doors.
New Director of Education
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Tara has been appointed as the new Director of Education. Many will know Tara as our acting Head last year, and honestly, she was instrumental to everything we achieved.
Tara didn’t just help run the Academy, she helped shape the very values and foundation that the HyFlex Academy is built on. She’s constantly creating new opportunities for our students, taking our curriculum in directions that have genuinely made a difference to students’ lives and changing the way we as a provision look at education entirely. Her vision and dedication have been game-changers and we can’t wait to see where she takes us next.
New Deputy Head
We’re also incredibly excited to welcome Fiona as our new Deputy Head. With 25 years of teaching experience, Fiona brings a wealth of knowledge that spans continents and age ranges. She’s taught in primary and secondary schools across Shropshire, Kent, Scotland and even America before joining Amberleigh Care in 2020 as part of the education team in their therapeutic community, working with students aged 11-18.
What makes Fiona special? She’s taught everything from early years right up to GCSE level. She’s a qualified careers lead, Duke of Edinburgh Curriculum lead, Forest School Leader, Safeguarding Lead and First Aider. But beyond the qualifications, what really stands out is her approach to education.
As Fiona puts it, “Everyday is different, and building relationships with students is so important and rewarding. Each day we should learn about them, just as we want them to learn “. She particularly loves working with children in alternative settings because she finds it more rewarding, seeing their personal growth firsthand. Her strengths include that incredible range of subject knowledge, her ability to engage reluctant learners, her deep understanding of the care system, and her calm, organised approach. As she says with a smile, she’s “not easily shocked!” – exactly the kind of person our students need.
We’ve also built up our teaching staff with some brilliant new additions. Rory, Mel, Harriet and Peter have joined our team, and each one brings their own specialisms and expertise along with a deep understanding of special educational and behavioral needs.
This strengthens everything we do – from our Learning to Learn program to our Digital Curriculum, right alongside our core academic subjects. Having teachers who truly understand the complexities of special educational needs means our students get support that’s not just academic, but holistic and understanding.
Looking forward
As we start this new academic year, The Greenhouse Team are filled with excitement about what’s ahead. We’re welcoming back students who’ve become part of our HyFlex family, and we’re opening our doors to new young people who are ready to discover what learning can look like when it’s built around them.
Our mission remains the same: to help those children who need adaptive learning, to show them that education can be flexible, engaging and genuinely transformative. With our stronger team and the foundations we’ve built, I know this year is going to be something special.
To our returning students, welcome back! You’ve already shown us what’s possible when learning is done right. To our new students, we can’t wait to meet you and discover what amazing things you’ll achieve.
Here’s to another year of breaking barriers, celebrating achievements and proving that when education is adaptive and person-centered, every young person can thrive.