Craig Abbs – Headteacher 

Craig has been teaching for over 15 years and is passionate about teaching, learning and the social and emotional development of students and recognises and values the opportunities provided by a collocated specialist SEMH and SLCN provision.

For over 12 of those years, Craig has taught in Alternative Provision and Special schools.   He is passionate about pupils getting local high-quality provisions that will meet their needs. He has held leadership roles for over 9 years in a variety of provisions.

He has lived in South Gloucestershire for much of his life and previously worked in Bristol and Bath and North East Somerset.

Craig will often be out running, cycling or walking the dog. He is keen on sports, having completed the Cotswold 70.3 Triathlon.

 

Hannah Scott-Mullen - Deputy Headteacher

Hannah qualified as a teacher in 2003, having completed a BA in English Literature and MA in Sociology. Hannah has worked in Special Education for over 20 years and is passionate about social justice and inclusion. Most recently, Hannah has worked for the last 12 years as a SENDCO and Assistant Head in two Bristol mainstream schools, as well as acting as a mentor at a Trust level for newly qualified SENDCO colleagues. 

As a qualified dyslexia assessor and specialist teacher, Hannah brings extensive knowledge of effective literacy strategies and reading development for young people with specific learning difficulties, as well as wider understanding about effective adaptive teaching, especially for young people with SEMH and SLCN. Since the completion of her NASENCO qualification and Postgraduate Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties in 2012, Hannah has remained committed to her own continuing professional development and is currently studying for her National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

The owner of an enthusiastic labradoodle, Hannah goes to the gym regularly and enjoys walking, as well as gardening and spending time with family. She is also interested in the creative arts and loves a good board game.
 

Andrew Welsh - Assistant Headteacher - SEMH

Andy worked in the supported housing sector before becoming a mainstream secondary school teacher in 2008. Working in Bristol and Gloucestershire as a middle leader, he developed an interest in and commitment to supporting young people to overcome barriers to their engagement with learning.

After completing a postgraduate course in the Psychology of Education, Andy taught in a pupil referral unit for several years before moving into senior leadership, joining Soundwell Academy when it moved to its new site in 2021.

 

Martha Green - Assistant Headteacher - SLCN

Martha gained her undergraduate degree in Disability Studies from the University of Bedfordshire and completed a PGCE with a specialism in SEN at Bath Spa University. Since becoming qualified Martha has taught and worked as the Family Liaison Support Officer within  Special Needs  Education as part of The Bath & Mendip Partnership Trust. Then following her completion of the National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination from Bath Spa University, Martha served as SENDCo within Soundwell Academy. With experience teaching pupils across three different key stages, in mixed aged and ability classes from reception to year 8, allowing her to work closely with a variety of different cohorts of pupils and develop teaching techniques and strategies to provide children with an inclusive and accessible education.