Poole special needs school welcomes new headteacher (From Thisisdorset)

Poole special needs school welcomes new headteacher

4:00pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in Latest By James Durkin

A POOLE school attended by pupils with profound learning difficulties has welcomed its new headteacher.

Jonathan Seaward takes over as principal and director of children’s services at Parkstone’s Langside School.

His appointment follows the summer retirement of outgoing Langside head John Ashby after 22 years.

Jonathan, 39, former deputy head at Bournemouth’s Stourfield Junior School, has previously worked with vulnerable children with a variety of disabilities and behavioural problems.

He said: “Supporting children who have physical and learning disabilities is a privilege and I was fascinated by the role at Langside.

“The school has a great reputation and what John has achieved in the past 22 years is amazing.

“I am really looking forward to working closely with the team, pupils and parents of the school and strive to continue the fantastic work that has already been achieved at Langside.”

Langside School – run by Dorset disability charity Diverse Abilities Plus – caters for pupils with physical and learning disabilities, aged between two and 19.

Since being established in 1959 as an independent, non-maintained, day school, it has helped more than 100 young people.

Facilities include a specialised sensory room, a hydrotherapy pool, specialist teaching areas, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and conference facilities for visiting hospital clinics.

Outgoing head John Ashby said: “I’ve been very fortunate to have fantastic staff here, they are so committed to the children.

“I’ve learnt an awful lot in the job and I’ve had the privilege of working with some fantastic children and equally their families.”