Cedars Academy Trust's Exciting Expansion: Welcome to Cedars High Heworth!
Cedars Academy is thrilled to announce a major milestone in its journey of growth and innovation in specialist education. In response to increasing demand and the need for enhanced learning environments, Cedars Academy have expanded their provision by relocating to the former Colegate Primary School site, now named Cedars High Heworth.
This exciting development will serve Key Stage 3 to 5 learners (Years 7-13) and will offer a highly personalised, adapted curriculum designed to meet the needs of learners.
Cedars High Heworth focuses on building independence, practical skills, and readiness for adulthood, while maintaining strong foundations in core learning through a structured formal curriculum and vocational training. The demand for specialist school places continues to grow, and Cedars Academy is committed to meeting this challenge head-on.
The new site provides more space and better facilities for students. It will also enable Cedars Academy to support more children who require specialist education at both primary and secondary levels and offer a clear, structured pathway for older students, fostering independence and readiness for adult life.
Julie Vincent, Head Teacher of Cedars Academy High Heworth, said:
"Cedars Academy remains dedicated to delivering the high-quality care, support, and educational excellence that our community has come to expect. With this expansion we are not only creating more opportunities, but we are also building a brighter future for all our students. We are delighted that our students have settled in amazingly well and we have many more plans for the future here at Cedars High Heworth."
The opening of Cedars High Heworth has also created an exciting opportunity for Cedars Low Fell provision to further refine and strengthen its offer, allowing the school to deliver a highly specialised sensory and therapeutic curriculum tailored to the needs of its pupils. By expanding to a second site, Cedars Academy Trust are ensuring every child receives the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Helen Fergusson, Director of Children's Services at Gateshead Council, said:
"We are delighted that Cedars Academy Trust have expanded their provision. Cedars High Heworth is designed for students who thrive in a structured learning environment based on an adapted National Curriculum. It will support academic growth, vocational skills, and personal development through targeted interventions, therapies, social-emotional programmes, and work experience opportunities."
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added:
"The expansion by Cedars Academy Trust is a fantastic step forward for specialist education in our community. Cedars High Heworth will not only provide tailored support for students with additional needs but also offer vital short-term placements for those facing social and emotional challenges. It's a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to inclusive education and ensuring every young person can thrive."
Vocational education is a core element of the curriculum. Students experience and participate in a range of vocational and enterprise-based activities, which may include performing arts, DIY and practical skills, sport and fitness, coding and digital skills and social enterprise projects.
Where appropriate, learners undertake supported work experience placements to develop workplace awareness and employability skills.
Overall, the curriculum at Cedars High Heworth is designed to ensure that every learner develops the skills, experiences, and aspirations needed to move toward greater independence and meaningful adult life.
(In the photo from left to right are: Keith Vincent, Director of Inclusion at Cedars High Heworth, Julie Vincent, Headteacher at Cedars High Heworth, Liz Neale, Vice Chair of Trustees at Cedars Academy, Councillor Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, Helen Fergusson, Director of Children's Services at Gateshead Council, and Laura Smith, Strategic Lead for SEND and Inclusion at Gateshead Council.)
Cedars Academy is thrilled to announce a major milestone in its journey of growth and innovation in specialist education. In response to increasing demand and the need for enhanced learning environments, Cedars Academy have expanded their provision by relocating to the former Colegate Primary School site, now named Cedars High Heworth.
This exciting development will serve Key Stage 3 to 5 learners (Years 7-13) and will offer a highly personalised, adapted curriculum designed to meet the needs of learners.
Cedars High Heworth focuses on building independence, practical skills, and readiness for adulthood, while maintaining strong foundations in core learning through a structured formal curriculum and vocational training. The demand for specialist school places continues to grow, and Cedars Academy is committed to meeting this challenge head-on.
The new site provides more space and better facilities for students. It will also enable Cedars Academy to support more children who require specialist education at both primary and secondary levels and offer a clear, structured pathway for older students, fostering independence and readiness for adult life.
Julie Vincent, Head Teacher of Cedars Academy High Heworth, said:
"Cedars Academy remains dedicated to delivering the high-quality care, support, and educational excellence that our community has come to expect. With this expansion we are not only creating more opportunities, but we are also building a brighter future for all our students. We are delighted that our students have settled in amazingly well and we have many more plans for the future here at Cedars High Heworth."
The opening of Cedars High Heworth has also created an exciting opportunity for Cedars Low Fell provision to further refine and strengthen its offer, allowing the school to deliver a highly specialised sensory and therapeutic curriculum tailored to the needs of its pupils. By expanding to a second site, Cedars Academy Trust are ensuring every child receives the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
Helen Fergusson, Director of Children's Services at Gateshead Council, said:
"We are delighted that Cedars Academy Trust have expanded their provision. Cedars High Heworth is designed for students who thrive in a structured learning environment based on an adapted National Curriculum. It will support academic growth, vocational skills, and personal development through targeted interventions, therapies, social-emotional programmes, and work experience opportunities."
Councillor Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added:
"The expansion by Cedars Academy Trust is a fantastic step forward for specialist education in our community. Cedars High Heworth will not only provide tailored support for students with additional needs but also offer vital short-term placements for those facing social and emotional challenges. It's a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to inclusive education and ensuring every young person can thrive."
Vocational education is a core element of the curriculum. Students experience and participate in a range of vocational and enterprise-based activities, which may include performing arts, DIY and practical skills, sport and fitness, coding and digital skills and social enterprise projects.
Where appropriate, learners undertake supported work experience placements to develop workplace awareness and employability skills.
Overall, the curriculum at Cedars High Heworth is designed to ensure that every learner develops the skills, experiences, and aspirations needed to move toward greater independence and meaningful adult life.
(In the photo from left to right are: Keith Vincent, Director of Inclusion at Cedars High Heworth, Julie Vincent, Headteacher at Cedars High Heworth, Liz Neale, Vice Chair of Trustees at Cedars Academy, Councillor Catherine Donovan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, Helen Fergusson, Director of Children's Services at Gateshead Council, and Laura Smith, Strategic Lead for SEND and Inclusion at Gateshead Council.)
