Director of Education

Established in 1953 The Percy Hedley Foundation is a charity and company limited by guarantee which runs a wide range of services for disabled children and adults.  Its services are currently based on 6 sites in and around Newcastle upon Tyne, making it a large regional charity.  The Foundation’s work with children includes pre-school and nursery provision, schools, sixth form centres and day and residential respite.  Its work with adults includes a specialist college, day care services, employment projects and residential care.  The Foundation also pioneers the development of disability sport through its specialist sports academy.

The Foundation has a national and international reputation for the quality and unique nature of its work.  It runs training courses and provides professional advice and support to like organisations throughout the world.

There are currently 225 children attending its schools.  A further 35 children attend the pre-school groups.  The nursery has 30 babies and infants and this number is anticipated to grow.  Approximately 100 children enjoy the Foundation’s day and residential respite facilities.

Within adult services there are currently 50 adults in residence and a further 100 adults attend the range of day care services.  Thirty students attend the college and significant growth is anticipated.

Additionally, hundreds of disabled children and adults enjoy the wide range of disability sports available at the sports academy and many external disabled groups use this unique facility.

The Foundation employs in excess of 550 staff from many different professional disciplines including teachers, therapists, psychologists, care workers along with appropriately qualified administrative and support staff.

As a charity Local Education Authorities and Social Service Departments from across the region pay the fees of pupils referred to Percy Hedley and Northern Counties Schools and for adults using our Day Care Services or Residential Accommodation.  Over the last few years we have successfully concluded capital appeals to provide a new social activity centre for adults with disabilities, built ten bungalows in partnership with Enterprise 5 Housing Association for those who can live more independently; refurbished the Day Centre and opened a new specialist Secondary School and Post 16 Centre for young people with disabilities.  More recently we raised almost £1M to build a new Academy for Disability Sports and convert premises for a new nursery and college on the Northern Counties School site.