Our role
Summit School works with the young people at Cygnet Joyce Parker Hospital, an inpatient Tier 4 CAMHS unit. Summit School opened in January 2021, and we have a projected capacity of 38 students.
As well as receiving the therapy they need, students study national curriculum subjects through personalised learning and support. Taking this approach allows students to make progress in their learning and emotional wellbeing, so that they will have the confidence and self-belief to be successful when they are discharged.
We take our responsibility for the young people in our care seriously, and we are committed to supporting them in their chosen academic or vocational journey, using structured but flexible approaches to maximise their educational opportunities.
Our support
Summit School is comprised of a team of fully qualified teachers and teaching assistants who provide education to young people aged 12 to 18 who have been admitted to Cygnet Joyce Parker Hospital.
We aim to complete a school induction with your child as soon as possible after they are admitted. Our Education Officer also contacts their school to establish channels of communication and collaboration so that we can maintain continuity for them between schools.
We will soon be registered an examinations centre, which means we will be able to hold GCSE and ‘A’ level examinations on the premises. We are already registered with NCFE to provide Functional Skills examinations and we are also approved to deliver ASDAN and Arts Award courses.
Teaching takes place in designated classrooms or on ward if the young person is not available to attend. We are looking forward to being able to offer school trips in the coming year.
We create an Individual Education Plan for all pupils upon admission, and these are reviewed and updated every six weeks. An IEP shows their progress in learning over that period.
We attend ward rounds and CPA meetings, which enable us to provide updates and feedback to other agencies and parents on the young people’s educational progress.
This connected approach means that, when one of our students is due to be discharged, we contact their school to make the transition back into mainstream education as smooth and positive as possible.
Meet the Team
Debra Eason - Head Teacher (Interim)
Debra joined in February 2024 and is an accomplished qualified Senior Leader and QTS teacher, who has held positions ranging from Education consultant, Executive Head teacher, Principal to Head teacher. She is a co-Director of a school improvement business for Independent special schools widely experienced in a range of needs, from SEMH, Mental Health, ADAH, ASD, PMLD, just to name a few. In addition, Debra is art and design trained enabling her to envisage very creative ways in which education should be delivered and is passionate about making a difference.
Nicky Jessop - Teacher in Charge/PSHE Teacher
Nicky has worked at Cygnet since 2021. She has been a teacher of Drama and English for 18 years. Nicky currently divides her working week between teaching at Summit School on Fridays, teaching in a Grammar school and teaching Adults with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities. She also owns her own children’s party entertainment business and runs Drama clubs in the school holidays. Nicky is also a GCSE Drama examiner.
Stacey Arnett – Education Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Stacey started working at Cygnet in June 2022. Before this she worked in mainstream secondary education as an Art & Photography technician.
Samantha Burnham – Teacher of English
Samantha started working at Cygnet in May 2023. Prior to Cygnet, Samantha has been teaching KS3 and GCSE English since 2015. Before teaching, she has had a range of roles within a school, supporting and encouraging pupils to succeed in their learning in Art and English. Samantha also has qualifications in Animal Care and has spent many years working in a cattery alongside teaching.
Hel Dixon - Teacher of Maths, Arts Award Coordinator and Designated Teacher of Looked After Children
Hel has worked at Cygnet since January 2021 and was a founding member of the Summit School at Joyce Parker Hospital Coventry. Prior to this, Hel worked in a number of mainstream secondary schools teaching science and GCSE and A Level Physics. Prior to this Hel has worked in Finance, Dementia Care and has run their own business making re-enactment clothing.
Chuck Eribenne – PE Teacher
Chuck joined Cygnet in January 2021. He is an ex professional footballer and he delivers a wide range of sports and fitness activities for the young people.
Catherine Fell - Teacher and Science Ambassador
Catherine joined Cygnet in April 2023 and has been a Science teacher in a mainstream Secondary school for the past 7 years. Catherine has taught a range of Science to KS3 and KS4 students and A level Biology. Catherine has also had additional roles in supporting students pastorally alongside coordinating International Schools award. Catherine enjoys travelling, cooking and playing netball in her spare time.
Ben Abu – Higher Level Teaching Assistant and Exams Officer
Ben joined the education team in March 2024, bringing with him valuable experience as a Teaching Assistant in Special Needs Schools. Ben has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics/Computer Science education and has a master’s degree in Data Science.
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.
