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Community News

Super surprise birthday honour for North Swindon school head

Jackie Smith, executive principal of “I know I have a reputation for were covered the benefit of work
Uplands Special School, was named getting things done and not letting experience would be enormous.
in the Queen’s Birthday Honours things stand in my way, but it’s “It quickly became apparent that
List on 10 June in recognition of her all about seeing what’s right for we could do so much more to
Services to Education. the students, for the staff and the provide opportunities for the young
She said: “There are things in your families.” people in their own communities.”
life you think might happen but to Uplands today is a great deal Uplands received the prestigious
be awarded an honour like this was more than a school. Jackie is TES Award for overall best school
a surprise. Once it had sunk in, I now executive headteacher with in 2015, and Ofsted has graded the
realised that it was both recognition oversight of Uplands Educational school as outstanding.
of my career and the importance of Trust which was set up in 2012 and The citation about Jackie, from the
education and development of young Deidre Fitzpatrick is head of Uplands honours award office comments:
people with disabilities.” responsible for ensuring high quality ‘Her visionary and innovative
Jackie took up her first headship teaching and learning. leadership have made a huge
at Uplands in 2009. The school has Under the auspices of the UET, impact on the lives of hundreds
since become a national leader in its there are now three charity shops of families in Swindon and the
field and expanded significantly. which provide work experience for surrounding area.’ MBE photo call for Jackie Smith
Jackie continued: “My work at students. The Segal Centre provides
Uplands is not necessarily what supported learning and social
I’ve done because that’s not how enterprise for 19 to 25 year olds. It
education works; it’s about what opened with ten students, there are
everybody involved is prepared to now 75. There’s also a small farm
do. I came in very fresh faced and near Minety, a social enterprise
joined a staff absolutely ready for centre in Penhill and a tie-in with
change. We examined everything a housing association to provide
and refocussed how we provide supported housing to students.
education and support to the young Jackie said: “It all started
people and their families. because I wanted to rent a shop
“It’s been a really exciting journey to give students real world work
and my job has been to provide opportunities. As a school it wasn’t
the guidance and leadership; the possible to take a lease on a shop
staff around me are so dedicated but a charitable trust could. Money
to delivering the best education to was not the motivation at all; I
young people. always thought so long as costs

2 swindonlink.com n July 2016

July 2016 Master Pages.indd 2 14/06/2016 16:25