The Keystone Academy

Youth Engagement Schools Trust (YES Trust) is a small but growing multi-academy trust in Cheshire/ Shropshire. We specialise in Special Needs and Alternative Provision, providing a vital service for some of the most vulnerable young people in the area. Our vision is to develop a thriving partnership of schools that work together to create opportunities that raise aspirations and inspire excellence.

http://theyestrust.org/vacancies/

We are recruiting for a Receptionist.

-Closing date for applications: 5 pm on 23rd September 2022
-Interview date: 3rd & 4th October 2022
Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

We are recruiting for a Teaching Assistant.

-Closing date for applications: 5 pm on 23rd September 2022
-Interview date: 3rd & 4th October 2022
-Start date: 7th November 2022
Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

We are recruiting for an Outdoor Instructor/Learning Mentor.

-Closing date for applications: 5 pm on 23rd September 2022
-Interview date: 3rd & 4th October 2022
-Start date: 7th November 2022
Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

We are recruiting for a Teaching Assistant.

-Closing date for applications: midday on 25th July 2022
-Interview date: 4th August 2022

Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

We are recruiting for a Site Manager.

-Closing date for applications: midday on 4th July 2022
-Interview date: w/c 13th July 2022
-Start Date: 30th August 2022

Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

We are recruiting for an Office Manager.

-Closing date for applications: midday on 9th June 2022
-Interview date: w/c 13th June 2022
-Start Date: 29th August 2022

Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

Our May Newsletter is now available at https://thekeystoneacademy.org/newsletters/!

We are hiring!

We are looking for teachers for Maths, English, Science, Art/Design & Technology, PE and Primary.

-Closing date for applications: midday on 22/04/22
-Interview date: w/c 02/05/22 and 09/05/22
-Expected start date: 29/08/22

Apply here: https://thekeystoneacademy.org/vacancies/

What do we mean by ‘neurodivergent needs’?

What is neurodiversity?

‘The neurodiversity movement advocates the idea that our brains are different and that everyone (whether neurotypical or neurodivergent) should be treated equally… The label of “neurodivergent” originally focused on those who are autistic. However, in more recent years it has been used to describe those who think, behave, and learn differently to what is typical in society. Being neurodivergent should not be considered an inherent deficit but simply a difference in processing the world around us.’

University of Glasgow

At The Keystone Academy, we believe that everyone is unique and as a result we recognise that we all learn and experience the world in different ways, depending upon many things. This can include things such as:

-Our experiences (past and present)
-Our interests
-Our special educational needs and/or disabilities
-The way our brain responds to different types of information
-The way our brain processes information
-The way we think and learn

We recognise that some neurodivergence can cause anxiety and challenges with social skills and aspects of emotional and mental health. This is why Keystone is a specialist school for SEMH.

Different terms, commonly used:

Neurodiversity – Not all brains think or feel in the same way. We are all different, with neurological differences that influence how we experience the world around us (as above).

Neurodivergent – This refers to individuals with less typical development and intellectual / functioning, with neurological differences that influence the way they think, feel and behave in society. Examples include Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia.

Neurotypical – This refers to individuals with typical development and intellectual / cognitive functioning.

Some examples of neurodivergence are featured in the below picture (image taken from: addressingdyslexia.org).

Some people can experience more than one neurodivergent quality (such as ASD and ADHD) which can therefore have a greater impact on them. At The Keystone Academy, we aim to help all of our learners recognise their differences as strengths and to build their confidence to learn and enjoy school in a way that is tailored to their learning preferences and needs.

The Keystone Academy is a specialist school for children aged 4-16 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and difficulties. It brings together the vision of The YES Trust with that of Shropshire Local Authority, aiming to provide an excellent specialist school for students with SEMH, including those with neurodivergent needs.

As part of The YES Trust, The Keystone Academy will form part of a wider network of educational provision for learners with SEMH difficulties across Cheshire and now Shropshire, sharing the Trust’s vision and values.

As a new school, we are lucky enough to have a brand-new building being purpose-built for our cohort’s needs. The design below is an initial model that has been agreed (but please be aware that there may be minor changes as we progress through the design and building process).

This brand-new building will be located on Squinter Pip Way, Shrewsbury and is expected to be ready for September 2023.

This of course means that from September 2022, we will open our school in temporary accommodation. The agreed site is where the Grange High School used to be situated on Mount Pleasant Road, Shrewsbury. To ensure we have excellent accommodation ready for September 2022, refurbishments are taking place over the next few months. As the work moves towards completion, we will provide more information about this and prepare for transitions into the school.

Our school term dates for 2022-2023 are now available at https://thekeystoneacademy.org/school-holiday-dates/