East Regional Representative
Steve Watt has worked with young people experiencing social, emotional and educational needs in a variety of settings since 1975.
His first experience of working with disaffected young people was when his Head Teacher asked him to assume responsibility for a large group of 15 year olds who had been informed that the Government had decided to raise the compulsory school leaving age - needless to say this was poorly received! Until then Steve was happily teaching PE and History - the absence of a post-16 curriculum was his first experience of being creative in trying to provide for these young people.
Steve took this creativity to his next challenge following appointment to Aycliffe maximum secure assessment provision in County Durham. Once again the Government provided an interesting challenge by deciding secure assessment centres needed to educate as well as assess. Once again there was a need to develop a curriculum and implement it with young people and young adults who were not always enthusiastic about education. Steve spent 8 memorable years in the secure setting until deciding it was time for more space for himself. He departed Aycliffe leaving a thriving classroom provision which enhanced the secure assessment provision.
Steve’s next post was entirely different becoming a senior teacher to a residential school offering provision for young people with a statement of Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD). This involved creating a vocationally based curriculum largely based on the large farm owned by the school – poultry, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs also came under Steve’s guidance! Links with county-wide Further Education programmes led to Steve spending half a week supporting the implementation and delivery of the TVEI (Technical Vocational and Educational Initiative) and City and Guilds certification to the young people in Steve’s school and Further Educational colleges. This interest in the benefits of vocational education remains with Steve and can be seen thriving at The Grange today.
The early 1990’s saw a return to SEBD following appointment as Deputy Headteacher in Buckinghamshire and an opportunity to develop Outdoor Education as a means of positively engaging with young people - many expeditions ranging far and wide helped raise self-awareness and self esteem. Again these opportunities are fully in place and inspiring young people at The Grange.
The new millenium saw Steve’s first Headship in Hertfordshire where he was pleased to help considerably raise standards a Local Authority School.
Steve became Principal at The Grange in 2007 and has enjoyed fully rebuilding a staff team and moving the school from satisfactory in 2007 to its present "outstanding" status. Steve probably deriving more pleasure and happiness from the efforts of his splendid staff team and the success of his current young people than at any time previously although the recurring themes of Vocational Education, Outdoor Education and Physical Education are strongly evident in enabling success and team spirit.