Wyedean School and Sixth Form Centre

THE Team

Mrs Laura Watkins

Director of Sixth Form and Assistant Principal

As Director of Sixth Form, I am responsible for the transition, progress and pastoral care of all those in Years 12 and 13. As well as my role in Key Stage 5 I am also a teacher of  RS and Philosophy and Ethics.

My aim is to make sure that students flourish, enjoy their time in Sixth Form and are looking forward to a life beyond school. Central to this is ensuring that students meet or exceed their academic targets, develop relevant skills and gain valuable experiences for the next stage of their lives. I intend to stretch and challenge our students, intervene when they need more support, and provide extra-curricular opportunities that develop skills and broaden horizons. 

Miss Gemma Bush

  Acting Assistant Director of Sixth Form

I began teaching at Wyedean School in 2019 and have been a part of the sixth form team since 2023 as acting Assistant Director of Sixth Form, in addition to my role of RS Lead in the Social Studies Learning Area. My main responsibilities within the Sixth Form team include developing the PSHEE programme, organising guest speakers from a range of future pathways and developing our enrichment programme. I have a passion for ensuring that our students leave Wyedean having had enriching experiences including; enterprise skills, sporting activities and skill development, Duke of Edinburgh opportunities, mentoring and gaming competitions. I aim to ensure that students are well supported to explore activities outside of their studies that can help support their social skills, communication and enable them to be well-rounded citizens to allow them to succeed in their future pathways.

Miss Samantha Bishop - maternity leave

Assistant Director of Sixth Form

I began teaching at Wyedean School in 2013 and have had experience in developing and supporting the Sixth Form since 2015. As well as my role within Sixth Form I am an experienced teacher of Design and Technology, specialising in Product Design. As Assistant Director of Sixth Form, my main responsibilities include supporting the Director of Sixth Form in the development of quality pastoral and PSHEE provision and interventions across Year 12 and 13. In my role, I aim to build on the ‘community feel’ of the Sixth Form by encouraging active involvement within the school and locality. I believe fostering creativity and collaboration within the cohort through the form of leadership groups to be a valuable experience. Providing enriching experiences through the tutorial programme will provide an insight into employability skills and will prepare students for life after Sixth Form.

Mrs Hannah Searle

Sixth Form Academic Mentor

I joined the Wyedean Sixth Form team in September 2018, providing both academic and pastoral support to year 12 and year 13 students.

As a qualified teacher I have taught English to students aged from 11 to 70, but spent the majority of my career teaching GCSEs and A levels in a local Sixth Form College. I have also been involved in voluntary youth work over the years as I love working with and supporting young people.

A significant part of my role at Wyedean is to work one-to-one with students in order to support them in improving their organisational and study skills, and managing their workload. I am available to provide a listening ear to students should they need to talk. As a team, as well as encouraging students to aim high, we are also committed to ensuring that they focus on their wellbeing.

 Mrs Jessica Carelse

Sixth Form Academic Mentor / Librarian

My journey at Wyedean began in September 2021 to work in conjunction with Hannah to fulfil a pastoral role within the department. To provide the students in Sixth Form with a supportive, nurturing environment in which they can be their personal best. Offering mentoring sessions (to help with planning), providing subject and career advice. Or simply someone to listen to. This care is to ensure their well-being is always at the forefront in what we do. Whilst fulling my pastoral role I support my colleagues in many administrative tasks in the department to ensure the everyday operations are smooth. As a teacher by profession, I have had a number of years teaching in Secondary Schools. And this has allowed me to gain valuable insight into the key running’s of a school. Whilst supporting my colleagues in Sixth Form I also manage the library; ensuring the students have a productive space for independent study. Whilst ensuring students at Wyedean have a range of reading materials to engage with. ( I currently also run English Library lessons in the library fortnightly for our year 7’s and 8’s to ensure that our students are acquiring valuable literacy skills.) 

To contact the team please email: Sixthform@wyedeanschool.com