Park House, a school in North East Lincolnshire, often referred to as the "naughty school," has been making a significant impact on the lives of its students. Known for providing alternative education for some of the area's most disruptive pupils, Park House addresses the needs of students who have either been permanently excluded or were at risk of suspension from mainstream education. The institution is part of Phoenix Park Academy and is managed by Wellspring Academy Trust.
The school provides a crucial alternative for students who struggle within traditional educational settings. In the 2022-23 academic year, North East Lincolnshire saw 55 students permanently excluded, with almost half of these exclusions involving students with special education needs or disabilities. Additionally, 23 school years were lost to pupil suspensions during the same period. Park House aims to offer a different path for these students, focusing on subjects like cooking and hairdressing, which cater to diverse learning needs.
Ellie Newport, a former student at Park House, exemplifies the success that can be achieved through this alternative provision. At nineteen, she now runs her own dog grooming business alongside another job. Reflecting on her time at the school, Ellie credits Park House with changing her life.
"I still think back to the school and the teachers every day, because I owe them everything." – Ellie Newport
Students at Park House share similar experiences of transformation. Summer, aged 14, was permanently excluded from her previous school due to bad behavior and fighting. Destiny, 15, faced exclusion after setting off a school fire alarm. Both students highlight the supportive environment at Park House as a significant factor in their improved behavior and engagement.
"When there are loads of people and only one teacher in a mainstream school, you don't get the help you need," – Summer
"There are less students here and there are more teachers, and it's smaller, so you get more help than you do in mainstream." – Destiny
The school's learning lead, Angela Connell, plays a pivotal role in teaching practical skills such as cooking and hairdressing. These subjects not only engage students but also equip them with valuable life skills. Meanwhile, John Mansfield, Head of Centre at Park House, oversees the holistic development of students, ensuring they receive the support they need.
Katelyn and Talisha, both students at the school, describe their struggles in mainstream education and how Park House offers a more conducive learning environment.
"I was never in any of my lessons and then I started to fall behind a bit, and then when I was in, I didn't know what was going on, so I just thought 'I'll sack that off'," – Katelyn
"I didn't like the way teachers spoke to kids, and so I used to always just scream back, kick off, or when a teacher was telling another student off, I would get involved," – Talisha
Brogan, another student who faced challenges in mainstream schooling due to frequent fighting, shares his journey at Park House.
"I was just getting excluded and that's how I've come here. I was fighting too much, and in class I was having flip-outs," – Brogan
Park House has introduced positive changes for Brogan, who now focuses more on his studies.
"It's a big change for me. I just want to do my work when I'm in class now." – Brogan
Ellie Newport emphasizes the transformative power of Park House for its students.
"It's said it's the naughty school, but it's not, it's here to help you." – Ellie Newport
"It turns everyone's lives around, even if you don't get to where you want to be, you're always going to be a step further than where you were at." – Ellie Newport
"These schools definitely save a lot of kids." – Ellie Newport
